ELECTED LEADERS
The Congregation calls and elects leaders to govern the church’s day-to-day operations, known as the Church Council (see Constitution and Bylaws). The current leaders of the Church Council are:
OUR SERVANTS (DEACONS)
The Diaconate shall consist of all Deacons (Greek, diákonos, “servants”), both male and female, called and elected by the Congregation from its m membership to serve in ministries of compassion, spiritual care, and justice in the congregation and neighborhood. The Deacons shall discern and share the needs, hopes, and concerns of the world with the Congregation, and call the Church to respond in faith and charity. The Deacons are to ensure that the concerns and needs of the vulnerable, marginalized, suffering, homeless, oppressed, poor, and elderly are heard.
The Deacons shall assist the Minister in public worship (e.g., preparing the worship space, reading aloud the Gospel, assisting with the ordinance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, presiding at prayer meetings), with visitation and care, with funerals and grief ministries, with the administer of benevolent funds, and carrying out other duties as assigned and agreed upon by the Minister.
Deacon Sonia Rolling
Recovery Ministers Chaplain and Lay Minister
Deacon Sonia Roling serves as a compassionate leader at West Side Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, specializing in Celebrate Recovery and supporting individuals overcoming addiction. With a heart for healing and restoration, she provides spiritual guidance and practical support to those on the path to recovery. Through her ministry, Deacon Roling embodies Christ’s love and grace, offering a safe space for individuals to find hope and transformation.
A graduate of The Seminary of Urban Leadership (TUMI Topeka) and the Center for Urban Chaplaincy, Deacon Roling is completing a degree program in Addiction Counseling.
CHURCH GOVERNANCE
West Side Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, is an autonomous, ecclesiastically sovereign, independent congregation practicing the Christian faith under the Lord of Jesus Christ in and through the active members of the congregation (Congregationalist polity) using the Bible as our all-sufficient and only authoritative Word of God.
The governing documents of the Church are recorded in the Constitution and Bylaws.
PROGRAM & SUPPORT
At West Side Baptist Church, our ministries are made possible by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who serve with passion, compassion, and faith. From program leaders to administrative and support staff, each person plays a vital role in ensuring that our programs run smoothly and effectively. Whether guiding small groups, organizing events, or providing pastoral care, our staff works behind the scenes and alongside our congregation to create spaces where people can grow in faith, find community, and experience God’s love in practical ways.
