Scott Kliewer grew up in Topeka, KS. He was blessed to have grown up in a Christian home and realized his need of salvation as a young boy. Church was always a very important part of his childhood with his parents being very involved in local church ministry.
Through a series of events God provided a door of opportunity for him to attend Silver State Baptist High School in Denver, CO, a school affiliated with what was then South Sheridan Baptist Church pastored by Dr. Ed Nelson. He was active in various aspects of the ministry including a church bus route to reach inner city children and was afforded various opportunities to preach to other teens in the Youth Department. It was there during his senior year that God used the influence of the church and school to call him into the ministry.
In the fall of 1975 he enrolled at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC as a Bible major with a minor in History. God began opening opportunities for ministry both at college and during the summers.
One of the highlights of his college experience was meeting his future wife, Pam. She had completed her degree in Piano Performance and was working on staff at the university. After completing his undergraduate degree in May 1979, he and Pam traveled as husband and wife leading a ministry team from BJU for two consecutive summers. In those two years Scott completed his Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies.
After receiving his Graduate Degree in May 1981, they moved to Charleston, IL to serve in the ministries of Calvary Baptist Church. In September of 1983, God moved them to Newton, KS to assume the Minister of Youth and Music position at Meridian Baptist Church. After nearly 25 years of ministry with Pastor Jerroll Martens as the pastor the opportunity opened to become the Senior Pastor. He assumed that position in April 2008.
Their total of forty years of ministry at Meridian have been filled with innumerable opportunities and blessings from the Lord, for which they are very grateful. The love demonstrated to them from the church has been overwhelming.
On January 22, 2024, by God’s providence Pam was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Savior. She is deeply missed, but not forgotten. Her legacy of beautiful, heartfelt, and skillful piano playing and her sweet and welcoming spirit will long live at Meridian.
Pastor’s interests include an occasional round of golf and doing yard work. It is possible that in the past you have seen him officiating basketball and volleyball or repairing some eyeglasses at a local clinic.
Caleb, Melodi, Shane & Sawyer Wood
Caleb Wood was raised in a Christian home in Ringgold, Louisiana. He made a profession of faith at an early age but struggled with doubts about his salvation. At 14 years old, he was wonderfully saved by humbly turning from his sin to Jesus Christ as the only sufficient sacrifice for forgiveness. He was very involved at Kingsway Baptist Church, as well as serving as much as possible at Southland Christian Camp.
God directed him to serve at Southland Christian Camp for a year between high school and college. It was there at Southland that he met Melodi, who was then serving on staff.
He enrolled at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC in the fall of 2004 as a Bible major, with Composite Speech minor. During his first year at BJU, God called him into full-time ministry. Little did he know, the “full-time” part of that call wouldn’t happen for almost 20 years!
Caleb & Melodi married in December 2006 and went back to BJU to finish his last semester of undergraduate work. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Bible in the Spring of 2007, they moved back to Ringgold, LA.
Through the years, he has never lost the desire to be in ministry, however God’s plan isn’t always a straight line. God gave him the opportunity to do many various types of work in addition to being involved in ministry. He has been a landscaper, hardware store manager, gas station manager, handyman, and rancher. In February 2018 he moved his family to Newton, KS, and for 5 years worked as a project manager at Pinnacle Homes, a construction/remodeling company in Wichita. During those 5 years in construction, he was involved in ministry at Meridian. He served with the youth, as a trustee, as a deacon, as well as other teaching opportunities. He made it a point to be involved in whatever way he was needed.
After many hours in prayer and deep conversation Caleb accepted the call of God and Meridian to be the Assistant Pastor on January 15, 2023.
Pastor Caleb & Melodi have 2 energetic sons; Shane and Sawyer. Melodi stays busy homeschooling the boys as well as doing some cleaning on the side.
Caleb’s interests are camping, hiking, shooting, reading, and woodworking, but mostly spending time with his family and friends.
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