Meet Our Staff

  • Rev. Laurel Cluthe

    Pastor of Families


    Laurel started serving Holmeswood in June 2017 after what can only be described as lots of "God moments". She and her husband, Matt, packed up and moved from Portland, Oregon and are thrilled to put down roots in colorful Kansas City. Laurel holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, and she earned her Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work degrees from Truett Seminary/Baylor University. She is passionate about learning from locals and being a part of strengthening communities. Families, in all their shapes, sizes and circumstances, are truly the heart of communities, and she is honored to serve them here at Holmeswood and the surrounding area. 


    Laurel also loves baseball (Astros, Red Sox & Royals), cooking, beaches, traveling, Sam (their dog), her 5 nieces & nephews in Kansas, and music, all shared with friends and family. 


    If you have questions about Holmeswood's Family Ministry, Missions, Formation, or E-giving/IT, please contact her.


    Send Laurel an email at laurel.cluthe@holmeswood.org

  • Rev. David McDaniel

    Senior Pastor


    David started serving as the Senior Pastor of Holmeswood in 2016. Before that time, though, he was the Pastor of Younger Adults at Holmeswood and also a chaplain at Children’s Mercy. He is married to Erin, who is a pediatrician with the group Pediatric Associates located both on the Plaza and in Lee’s Summit. David is a native of Alabama, where he earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Alabama and a M.Div. from Truett Seminary at Baylor University. He has also completed a Chaplain Residency with 4 units of CPE at Baptist Health in Little Rock. He enjoys cheering on the Crimson Tide, attending various sporting events (he says if you invite him to a game, he’ll go and wear your team’s colors….as long as it’s not Auburn or Tennessee orange), and firing up the grill for a good cookout. Authors that David reads are Truman Capote, Frederick Buechner, and Marcus Borg. But, his favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird (which he reads at least once a year). David loves being in a church that asks more questions of faith than they give answers, embraces diversity of all types, and takes seriously the intersection of faith and everyday life.


    Send David an email at david.mcdaniel@holmeswood.org

    Follow him on Twitter @DavidMcDaniel84

  • Pam Ussery

    Financial Secretary


    Pam has been a member of Holmeswood since 2005 and joined our staff in April 2022.  Pam graduated from William Jewel College in 1978 with a double major in Business Administration and Sociology.  She was a CPA and worked as the accounting manager for a local manufacturing company for 25 years.  Pam and her husband John have two adult children and five wonderful grandchildren.


    Send Pam an email at pam.ussery@holmeswood.org

  • Rev. Allen York

    Pastor of Worship & Arts


    Allen joined our staff in February 2013. Allen was born and raised in Bolivar, MO, and graduated from Southwest Baptist University (1980) with a Bachelor degree in Vocal Music Education, with piano as his instrument of concentration. He went on to graduate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1988), where he earned a Master’s degree in Church Music. Allen has approximately 30 years of experience in music ministry that includes service at Viewmont Baptist Church-Hickory, NC; First Baptist Church-Oklahoma City; and First Baptist Church-Lee’s Summit, MO, and was ordained to the gospel ministry while serving in Oklahoma City. He is also well-versed in the multi-tasking aspect of ministry, having also served as pastor of music & youth, and music & senior adults.  


    Send Allen an email at allen.york@holmeswood.org

  • Gary Youngblood

    Custodian


    Gary has been a member of Holmeswood for the past 33 years. He has served as a deacon, teacher, choir member and on various committees. Gary retired from Citibank as an auditor in 2008. He joined the Holmeswood custodial staff on a part time basis in April 2010. Gary is an avid Jayhawks fan!


    Send Gary an email at gary.youngblood@holmeswood.org