Meet the candidate
Kevin Klingbiel
Our new Lead Pastor Candidate is Kevin Klingbiel. His candidate weekend is slated for September 18 - 21 with a few opportunities to meet Kevin and his family. That Sunday, September 21, Kevin Klingbiel will speak and following the second service there will be a special meeting to vote on his confirmation.
A Letter from Kevin Klingbiel
Dear Westbrook Community Church,
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be your next Lead Pastor and want to briefly introduce myself. From the moment I began learning about Westbrook, I felt a strong resonance with your vision to belong, become, and bless. It captures what I believe the church is meant to be: a place where people are welcomed as they are, they encounter the Gospel, formed in Christ, and sent to serve the world around them. That vision is what excites me most about the possibility of serving with you.
Let me tell you a bit about myself. My wife, Olivia, and I have been married for 10 wonderful years. We have two kids, Titan (6) and Macklyn (3), who are our constant source of laughter, keep us grounded, and make sure we stay active. Family is at the center of my life, and ministry for me has always flowed out of the ordinary rhythms of home and community. I love being outdoors, staying healthy, and connecting with people through shared interests like sports, food, and good conversation. I’m someone who works hard but also values humor, honesty, and genuine connection.
As a pastor, I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel truly valued and accepted. I firmly believe that discipleship flourishes in meaningful relationships where faith is not just a theory but a lived-out reality. I also have a strong passion for preaching in a way that is approachable, transparent, and deeply rooted in Scripture. My desire is to help people see how God’s Word speaks into the realities of their everyday lives with clarity and authenticity. Additionally, I’m inclined towards strategic leadership, helping churches turn their vision into action through alignment, clarity, and a supportive team environment. I’ve witnessed firsthand how a thriving staff culture and a clear discipleship plan can enable a church to thrive in both depth and reach. I believe these strengths align perfectly with Westbrook’s desire to not only gather people but also nurture their growth and send them out into the world.
My heart is full of gratitude and humility. Olivia and I are genuinely excited about the possibility of becoming part of your community not just to serve as pastor, but to share life, raise our family alongside yours, and walk with you into the next chapter God has for Westbrook. It would be a joy to lead, love, and learn together as we continue to follow Christ and live out His mission.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Kevin Klingbiel
Kevin Klingbiel's resume
Education
Bethel Seminary, 2019
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Master of Arts in Christian Thought
Crown College School of Online Studies, 2016
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Master of Arts in Intercultural Leadership Studies | Emphases: Community Development
Crown College School of Arts and Sciences, 2012
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Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies & Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
Professional Experience
Redemption Church, 2024 - 2025
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Community Pastor
Westwood Community Church, 2014 - 2024
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Formation Pastor
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Director of Campus Infrastructure
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Next Steps Pastor
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Director of Student Ministry – Grades 6th to 8th
Kevin Klingbiel's sermons
Here are links to some of Kevin's most recent sermons
Questions for Kevin
What is it about the opportunity at Westbrook Community Church that attracts you?
Westbrook’s heart for people to belong, become, and bless deeply resonates with my own pastoral
calling. I’m drawn to the church’s authenticity, gospel focus, and outward orientation toward the
community. The opportunity to build on a healthy foundation while helping people grow in discipleship and mission aligns with my passion for Spirit-led leadership and church-wide alignment. With over a decade in multi-staff churches, including leading spiritual formation, staff culture, and church-wide strategy, I bring experience in creating discipleship pathways, multiplying leaders, and unifying diverse teams around a common mission. My background in strategic planning, relational leadership, and accessible biblical preaching has prepared me to shepherd a church like Westbrook into its next chapter with both care and clarity.
What are the key strengths and skills you have used in your ministry career?
At the core of my calling is a deep commitment to relational, spiritually grounded discipleship. I love
walking alongside people as they grow in their faith, and I believe that transformation happens best
in the context of authentic relationships. Whether I’m preaching, leading small groups, or investing
in volunteer leaders, I approach ministry with a pastor’s heart—seeking to build trust, foster
belonging, and point people to Jesus.Throughout my ministry, I’ve had the privilege of shepherding communities through teaching, spiritual formation, and connection. I prioritize emotional intelligence and intentional presence because I believe leadership flows from being deeply known
by God and genuinely present with people.
How have you intentionally built relationships with people who believe
differently than you do?
Throughout my ministry, I’ve intentionally cultivated relationships with people from diverse theological, political, and cultural backgrounds. Whether it’s former Catholics, skeptics, or those deconstructing faith, I’ve sought to create environments of trust and open dialogue. I avoid polarizing rhetoric, choosing instead to listen, empathize, and point people gently to the hope of the gospel. I believe Christ’s love compels us to enter into others’ stories with humility. In small groups, pastoral care, and Sunday conversations, I work to embody grace-filled truth that invites rather than excludes. That posture has allowed me to build relational bridges across divides and model the kind of church I believe Westbrook desires to be.
How have you been evangelistic with people both personally and in a
ministry context?
Personally, I seek out natural moments in conversation, at the gym, in my neighborhood, or through my kids’ activities, to share the love of Christ. I believe evangelism often starts with intentional presence and leads to gospel conversations over time. In ministry, I’ve led Alpha-style groups, equipped teams for personal evangelism, and developed sermon series that are accessible to seekers. I’ve also helped launch community engagement events that built relational equity with neighbors. I believe a culture of evangelism starts with the leader modeling a heart for the lost and equipping the church to live and speak the gospel naturally.