Staff Team

The head of The Well is Jesus Christ.  As a church, we seek to reflect his priorities in all we do and how we do it.  No decision is ever made that would knowingly contradict any of Jesus' teaching.  The Well's leadership is overseen by a board of directors that consist of outside Pastors.  Inwardly we are guarded by our advisory team, guided by our staff team, and gifted by our team of volunteers.

On the last Sunday evening of each month our staff team gathers together to think about how we change the perception of church, serve our community with an authentic love, and protect our church health.  We laugh, eat, pray, and dream of how we can love others.  Here's some of the people that make The Well what it is.  Take a few minutes to meet them and feel free to contact them:

 Ricky Van Pay 

 Lead Pastor 

       

You want to know about Ricky?!  Here goes: He was born in Port Neches,Texas and yes actually had a little hair!  He was practically raised under a church pew as his Dad was a Pastor.  He found his passion early on the baseball field and accepted a scholarship out of high school.  He later went onto to get a degree at Southwestern A/G University in Texas, graduated in 2001, and moved to Claremore to become part of a church staff. It was there he met and married Amy.  They bounced around a bit, but in 2005, they moved back to make Claremore our home.  Alright enough of the boring stuff, here’s the important stuff:

He has an amazing wife named Amy who he's been married to for over 8 years.  He has two adorable little boys named Camden and Cale.   One of his favorite sit-coms is The Office, but yet he despises working in one.  He loves the Boston Red Sox, Mexican fajitas, candy corn, and Dr. Pepper.  Ricky loves movies that are inspirational true stories.  He listens to classical music while he reads.  He didn’t start drinking coffee until he was 30.  He loves to run or head out to a friend's quarry to fish and camp.  He's looking forward to coaching his son’s in baseball.  He's a certified personal trainer.  Ricky finished an Ironman in 2008, but gained 20lbs a year later.  That’s about it.

His main role is to protect the health of The Well, lead the staff, and teach now and then.

 Amy Van Pay 

 Nursery Director 

    

Amy was born and raised in Claremore.  After graduating as a Claremore Zebra in 1996, she went on to Southwestern A/G University.  There she received a degree in vocal performance in 2000. She came back home where she became a Worship Pastor at her home church.  It was there that she met her husband Ricky.  While she's not busy being a stay at home mom to her boys, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and Starbuck's tall caramel mochas.  

 Heather Atkinson 

 Administrative Assistant

   

Heather grew up in Vinita, OK and began college at Rogers State University in the fall of 2006.  She is currently a senior at RSU and will graduate in May with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration Management.  While at Rogers State, she has been involved in Campus Crusade for Christ and has enjoyed the many opportunities through the student-led ministry.  Heather enjoys spending time with friends and family, and is looking forward to following God wherever He leads her after graduation.

 Stephani Freeman 

 Community Outreach Director

     

 Mark Goodman 

 Communications Director

   

Mark grew up in Prague and currently attends Rogers State.  He is majoring in graphic design.  He's into hanging with friends and just overall having fun.  If you are ever around the campus you can see him driving around a golf cart.  He makes things happen and gets things running on Sundays.

 Kendra Lakey 

 Elementary Pastor

   

Kendra Lakey is a proud native Texan, born and raised in Wichita Falls, TX.  Kendra began working in children's ministry in Junior high school, and hasn't stopped since.  She attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, TX for one year, then transferred to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX until she received her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2001.  Instead of entering the field of public education, she Kendra moved to Tulsa, OK in January 2008, and married Joshua Lakey, a native Tulsan, on June 14, 2008.  She currently works as the Elementary Director for the Well Church, and as the Administrative Assistant for the International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen.

 Davey Rumsey 

 Worship Leader  

   

Davey grew up here in Claremore and graduated from Claremore High School.  He is currently attending RSU.  He enjoys movies, rocking bands, The Office, and will read anything by C.S. Lewis.  Davey is helping Amy put together a band that will rock the theater, as well as make the name of Jesus famous.  He is the one of the most authentic guys you'll ever meet and there's not many people you can find that don't like him.

Diane Warehime 

Bookkeeper

  

Di has spent nearly her entire life here in Claremore.  She is married to Leland who is the owner of Leland's Homes.  They have been married for 35 years and are proud parents of Andy and Amy and have three grandsons.  She loves spending time with family, the outdoors, and makes the meanest roast in Oklahoma.  She can make something happen overnight and has a heart of gold.  The Well is honored to have her apart of the team.