Introducing Kim Hagel: Leadership Team Candidate

My Journey So Far - I was raised Presbyterian. Was taken to church on Sundays but that was about the extent of religion in my growing up years. When Cameron was born, it was important to me to get back to church. About that same time I hired Larry to work in the mail room. He began witnessing to me. One day he prayed with me in my office and I accepted Christ. I visited several churches and finally landed at Hillcrest Christian which later merged with Shepherd of the Hills in California. I've learned a lot about the Bible, who God is, and who I am in Christ since that time. I still have a lot to learn. I have been with Discovery since the beginning. Have been active in small groups and women's groups for several years. I'm constantly learning more and more about God and my relationship with Him.

Your Particular Giftedness and Passion - My gift is service, it is definitely where I am most comfortable. My passion is children. I feel God put me on this earth to take care of kids.

Weaknesses and Strengths - Weaknesses - saying no and delegating. Strengths - good listener, lots of energy, comfortable taking charge. Guess that is a weakness as well

The Time of Suffering and How it Resolved - My son was diagnosed with cancer at age 16. Throughout it all we were surrounded by prayer warriors both from Cameron's school and Discovery. When there were times throughout the illness that I was scared, worried, etc.. I also had a certain peace that all would be well. Only those that truly know God can understand that peace. Cameron is 25 now and healthy.

What do Titus 1:5-9 and I Timothy 3:1-7 mean to you? - These passages set the expectation and define the traits of a leader. In order for church to be effective in spreading the gospel and sharing the good news of Christ, the leaders of the church must be an example of Christian life.

I have read through the passages and do not believe that there's anything in my life that would prohibit me from serving in a leadership capacity. I am divorced and remarried. If the statement of "the husband of but one wife" conflicts with that, then perhaps I am not fit for the team. I am in no way perfect. I do enjoy a glass of wine but am not prone to drunkenness.

Theology and Trinity - bible/gifts/salvation/discipleship/baptism/mission -

Trinity - The clear understanding of and belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is the creator and there is only one God. Jesus is God's Son and it is through our belief in Him that we receive salvation. The Holy Spirit lives within us to guide, encourage and comfort us.

Gifts - God has equipped each of us with different gifts or strengths. One is not better than the other. All are needed in the church. Our responsibility is to understand what our gift is and use it.

Salvation - No one goes to the Father except through the Son. Salvation is our reward for following Jesus. It is a gift. It is not something that can be earned. We are saved by confessing our belief in Christ and making Him the Lord and Savior of our life.

Discipleship - We are disciples of Christ. We must be sure we are leading a life that represents Him and we are responsible for sharing our faith so that others may come to know Him.

Baptism – This is an expression of obedience. When we get baptized we are dying to our old self and being resurrected a new person in Christ.

Mission - As a body of believers we are tasked with the responsibility of sharing the gospel to all parts of the world. By partnering with and supporting missions locally and globally we are fulfilling that responsibility


To know you more deeply, please comment on at least three of the following questions.

1. How you define the church? - I define church as a body of believers. It is not a building or the rituals, it is the people. Throughout the life of a congregation, members will come and go, but the church still remains. It remains because the central focus is God. It is a blessing to celebrate, cry, learn, and grow with a body of believers who love God.

2. " Nothing happens without risk." How does this statement hit you? Discuss what risk is in your mind. Refer to a time in your life you took a risk. What happened? In your writing, talk about how your faith plays a role in decisions that demand risk.

If you are risk avoidant, then you will not grow and will become stagnant. One must be courageous enough to step out in faith and know that even if you make a mistake, it is OK, you will have learned something and you will have moved forward. In my mind, risk is not negative, it is an opportunity to stretch yourself as well as demonstrate that you are confident that God will see you through it.


Time in my life when I took a risk: I was in the middle of a union organizing attempt at a plant in Wisconsin. The CEO of the company wanted to fly to Wisconsin and, "talk to those guys" before the vote. Allowing him to go and address the troops was too dangerous. During a union organizing attempts, just about anything an employer does has the potential for turning into an unfair labor practice. I knew the CEO would speak his mind, and that could really cost the company. I prayed and asked for wisdom and guidance. I told the CEO he could not go. Needless to day he was a bit taken aback at my boldness in telling, the founder and CEO of the company that he could not visit one of his manufacturing plants. His response to me was, "Fine. I won't go, but if we lose the vote, it is your job." I continued to pray for a positive outcome for the company, for the election, and had a sense of peace. I knew before I received the phone call on the day of the election that we had won and the union lost.

When faced with decisions that have risk associated with it, I seek guidance and wisdom through prayer. I have learned the importance of that "little voice" (Holy Spirit). I realize that there is a bigger plan that what I can possibly comprehend and I need to rely on the one that is much wiser than me.

3. What are some compelling books that you have read in the past year? Why did they intrigue you?
Influencer - Intrigued me because it addresses the important capacity we possess to influence ourselves and others. It talks about changing the toughest of circumstances by changing behaviors. Using praise versus the use of punishment. There are several stories in this book that demonstrate how significant change in prisoners, diseases, etc. were positive changed by identifying the vital few behaviors and focusing on them, and by honoring choices and trusting in people.
No Complaining Rule - Focusing on ridding ourselves of mindless complaining and working on identifying solutions to legitimate complaints. The results that can obtained when your shift from focusing on the numbers and begin focusing on people, and providing positive reinforcement.

Considering the practical aspects of serving on the Leadership team, please comment on your current life situation in regards to:

Availability - I do not have children at home, and currently do not have to travel with my job. I have recently been recruited to be part of the women's leadership team. There may be occasions where I have to juggle meetings.
Willingness - I am willing to serve. I am viewing this as an opportunity to grow and learn.
Ability to make decisions - I am a decisive person and do not get stuck in the cycle of over analysis.
Leadership Style - I believe that leadership is a partnership process. I am responsible for letting people know what I expect of them., and what they can expect from me. I set the example and am willing to get my hands dirty. I would not ask anyone to do what I myself would not be wiling to do. Leadership is a matter of heart. My joy in leading people is helping them grow and see what potential they have. I also believe that leaders must be willing to learn from those that they lead.
Contributions you could make to the team - Not sure, as I do not know what the current needs are. I have 30+ years of business experience with over 23 of those years in management. My HR experience will lend itself to any people issues that may need addressed. I have overseen the construction of a facility as well as overseen the several moves of equipment and people.

All the Continents

The son of an Iowa church planter, David Frakes grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Ozark Christian College. There he met Loretta, a Casper ,Wyoming girl. Their three daughters, Bethany, Rachel, and Karissa, learned the love of travel from their parents. David's heritage, gifts, and heart are in ministry. A three-year youth ministry in Michigan prepare them for a twelve-year youth ministry with the Broomfield Christian Church. David is a swing courier for FedEx serving as a player/coach/supervisor and Loretta is a literacy teacher at Birch Elementary.

What brought you to Discovery?

Tim Dally started the church and they were already staffed. I was ready for a change, so I volunteered to help.

You were in charge of setting up and tearing down the worship/education setting for 10 years. Why did you get involved in this area? What makes it hard or easy?

First, it's necessary since we're renting the school. Second, organization is my gifts set. Recruiting, organizing, and shifting people is what I do. It is time consuming - about 1 hour each night of the week. Our volunteers do this because of our common mission and purpose. I learned to rely on people. When I couldn't recruit others, I ended up securing my family to help out. It's better when more are involved. We build relationships as we work. We always need people. It takes coordination.

You also coordinate Discovery's role with the Denver Rescue Mission. Tell me about that.

Kristin Cage, who now serves in Indonesia, was the first to go to Denver Rescue mission and we went along. The Knoetgens and then the Barbers took over for Kristin and I took over when the Barbers moved. Why do this? I enjoy offering a helping hand to the less fortunate. I like the camaraderie. These are good people.

What appeals to you about Discovery church?

Relationships with people. I like the chance to help out. The spirit and expectation of service.

You are still in charge of ushers and servers. But what is next for David and Loretta?

We like baseball and want to visit all the major league ballparks. We love to travel. More seriously, Loretta and I want to visit every continent in connection with our global partners.

Do you have a travel schedule?

We've been to Europe and Australia. We went to China and Asia to visit Aaron Carmichael. We want to go to Kenya and Egypt in 2010, Paraguay and Antartica in 2012.

Turning the Page

Lauaren Longwell's military father moved the family to nine states during her school years. A graduate of the University of Richmond, she has a Master's degree in Business, IT, and Project Management from John Hopkins. She and her husband Jason, have two sons Tyler and Josh.

What were the events that influenced you to become a follower of Christ?

I went to parochial schools. Religion was a comforting tradition, but impersonal value system in my life. In my senior year of college, the Navigators' pursued me. I thought, "I'm doing all right. Why do I need this?" Then it hit me. I was successful but not truly joyful. And they were successful and joyful. The aroma of Christ rolled off them. Interestingly, Jason, whom I was dating at the time, was making his own commitment to Christ at the same time in Delaware.

How did you grow from there?

Married in 2000, we attended Grace Fellowship Church, where we were connected as Young Life leaders. We had the honor of hearing and obeying God's call to love the "unchurched" high schoolers exactly where they were, on their walk and on their home turf. Through our experiences at Young Life and committing to daily disciplines, our hearts transformed producing true fruit in our lives.

How did you get to Discovery church?

Jason's job was transferred here. I asked God for a playground nearby where I could get to know young mothers and for a community bible study. Laura Brasov and Marlan Muller came to my door 10 minutes after I moved in and invited me to both events. They connected us with Discovery. When Tyler and I were ill on different occasions, they brought meals, baby sat, prayed, and sat with us in the hospital. Steve called. We hadn't run long and deep with these people, but they loved us as if we had.

Your oldest son Tyler was bullied in day care?

Tyler was three when we put him in a good daycare/preschool. The principal called to say that my son was being beaten, pushed, and pinched by another child. Tyler was afraid to enter a room of children for fear that a bully would be there. We removed him from the daycare. I told Discovery's Children's Director, Kim Koole. Her husband, Dan and other Adventure Zone leaders explained to Tyler about God's strength, his shield, and protection. Tyler followed him into class. They gave me reinforcement ideas for the following week. Tyler wasn't afraid to go into the classroom at Discovery. My sons love the kid's program

Jason has been transferred back to Maryland. What piece of Discovery do you want to take with you as you turn the next page of life?

Reprioritization. God and family are first with financial and time margin built into our daily lives. Impactful life. Challenges will occur so we pray our joy and contentment are not due to circumstance.

The Journey. The Discovery.

They both came from very conservative, legalistic Churches of Christ. Blake Hill was born at Ellsworth AFB outside Rapid City when his father was in military. Ministry followed military and Blake's family moved off and on - typical for their church fellowship.

Kimberly grew up in Pleasanton, CA in the East Bay Area. A five-year friendship developed into courtship and they were married 11 years ago. Blake, a CPA, works for Summit Integrated Systems. Kimberly, an accountant, is a stay at home mom, caring for Griffin - 5, and Adam - 3.

Tell me about your journey. When did you become Christians and "own"your faith?

Blake: I became a Christian at age 9. Church was never optional, but it always felt right to go. I went to Bible camps and youth rallies and was actively serving land leading at a young age.

Kimberly: I became a Christian when I was young. Our churches were good and developing knowledge - based relationships with the Lord, rather than anything spirit lead.

Both: We always " owned" our faith. It just wasn't full.

When did it become personal - full?

Kimberly: We ventured outside of the Church of Christ fellowship after we were married. Legalistic churches exhausted us. We found a church that emphasize relationships, was less judgmental, and developed community. I wanted to worship with people who knew we were all broken and would help each other along. I wanted a place I could bring my neighbors.

Blake: we were in Portland, and started worshipping with a Vineyard church.

What brought you to Discovery?

Kimberly: We came to Colorado for the 300 days of sunshine per year. Brad and Angie Black lived close. We both had infant children. I asked her about church and she told me about Discovery.

What is appealing about Discovery?

Blake: It's an easy place to bring new people, long-time disciples or seekers. The preaching is honesty and down to earth. And no one acts like they have it all figured out. We're all on a journey, moving closer to God.

Kimberly: Discovery doesn't get hung up on longstanding tradition or petty issues that divide rather than unite. Strong emphasis is put on connecting with others and journeying together.

What excites you about Discovery's future?

Both: Our youth group will be amazing! There's so many little kids here who will be teenagers in 10 years. They'll have great potential to impact their schools and the community for the Lord.

“Churches need examples of people who have been married more than thirty years.”

They were nearly a continent away. Fred was born in Manhattan into a military family and spent most of his preteen years in Europe. Thornton-reared Becky met Fred in High School. After moving to South Carolina in his senior year, Fred was seriously injured in an auto accident. He missed Colorado and very much missed Becky. He worked construction for a short time and then joined the Air Force. Upon completing boot camp he married Becky. While in the Air Force Fred started attending College and graduated from Denver Metro with a bio-medical engineering degree. Fred works for Sun Microsystems as a Senior Director for a development organization.
Becky was a homemaker who volunteered in the school system their two sons attended. She eventually got a job in the library and now works as the payroll manager for the Adams 12 School System.

When did you become Christ followers?
Becky: Some Christian neighbors moved in and we were looking for a church. Through some discussions they witnessed to us and gave us our first non-catholic bible. We continued our search for a church and eventually found a church in the yellow pages. It was great! We attended this church for 14 years.
Fred: For the first time in my life I read the bible. In our new church we really came to know about faith, Christianity and God.
Becky: Community! The pastor played football on Sundays with the young families. We were with the church on Sundays, Wednesdays and in between. That’s when we became Christians.

What brought you to Discovery?
Fred: We drove by the Discovery signs on the street and decided to give the church a try.

You began an “empty nesters life group” last fall. Tell us about it.
Fred: We wanted to do a life group of people who are in a similar stage of life that we are in. We thought that’s where our strongest contribution could be at this stage of our lives.
Becky: Every church needs a balance of ages where life can be shared between generations.
Fred: It’s important for young and old to bridge and connect. There is a healthy cocooning with our own groups and a time to break out of our peer connections.

Fred and Becky are drivers for Becky’s elderly mother who still lives in the family home in Thornton. They have grandchildren as well.

Do schedules get easier when the kids leave home?
Becky: Not really, your priorities just change. Younger families seem to have greater demands on their time, money and spiritual lives.

How do you keep yourselves refreshed?
Fred: Its difficult, given the time constrains, but I try to have a quiet time as often as I can.
Becky: The struggle is time. Quiet time. Worship time. Those things renew me.

“Teaching kids jazzes us!”

Tom and Rachel Morris met at Christian camp in Pennsylvania. Her family was there for a reunion and Tom was there as a volunteer electrician doing repairs. Rachel is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and is an Occupational Therapist, currently working with preschool children in the Adams 12 School District. Tom is a graduate of Johnson Bible College and Regis University. He is a Project Manager for Schneider Electric.

How would these two servants, reared in Christian homes describe their early spiritual journey?
“After marriage, I owned my faith.”
“We heard a presentation on church planting from people with the Empire State Evangelizing Association and felt a call to be church planters. We were part of the team that planted Celebrate Life Christian Church in Lancaster, PA.

What did you learn from your first church planting experience?
Rachel: We loved church planting.
Tom: It is easier to change something new than something old.
Rachel: You have to be intentional with what you are doing. “Why” is always the question.
Both: We like to work together. That’s one of the good things about developing curriculum and teaching KidsQuest at Discovery, we work together.

Tell me about the children’s curriculum.
Rachel: Originally, we wanted all kids to study the same lesson – the same text or theme.
Tom: Wouldn’t it be great for parents and kids to ride home and say, “What did you study in church today?” and have them all talk about the same thing only at different grade levels? In the beginning we tried to coordinate the lessons with the sermons, but that was overwhelming.
Rachel: The lessons are on a three-year rotation. We try to summarize the Old Testament and delve more deeply into the New Testament.
Tom: The lessons are divided into 3 – 6 week units. Each unit has a theme that is connected to kid’s culture.
Rachel: We’ve done Disney’s Cars with a hot wheels racetrack. We’ve even done old radio drama clips from back in the ‘30s ‘40’s and ‘50’s. Each unit has a scripture text to memorize. We read and study what the Bible says. We use multi-sensory experiences each week to help the kids learn and remember the lesson. Large group activities bring them together. Small group activities are age-graded. Nothing is done by random occurrence.

Can the typical volunteer who isn’t professionally trained teach the kid’s material?
Rachel: We tell our workers that they are leaders. They are leading children to learn. Yes, these materials are designed for volunteers to use.

How do you keep yourselves refreshed?
Rachel: Teaching children jazzes us. We love feed back from parents. When I look around the room in adult worship and see new Christians – people who weren’t here a year ago – it keeps me going.

“I can outlast the criers.”

            How can two southpaws join hands in marriage?  Jim and Kim Hagel have midwestern roots but met in Southern California.  A friend asked Kim if Jim could call her.  “Tell him to call me at work between 4:30 and 5:00,” were the starting parameters.  He did.  They dated and eventually married.  Jim, the MBA had the wedding on a spreadsheet.

Jim: “We came in under budget.”

     Jim works for the Integer Group, a promotional advertising agency.  Kim is in HR with Research Electro-Optics, a company that makes precision optical components in Boulder. 

What brought you to the Lord and Discovery?

Jim: “I dropped out of church after high school.  I came back to it when Kim and I got married.  I felt it would be a good example for Cameron and would provide me with an opportunity to connect spiritually with a group”

Kim: “I grew up in church, but it was not a priority for our family.  When Cameron was two, I felt the need to return to church.  A kid working in the mailroom at work witnessed to me.  I finally accepted Christ.  Our church merged with Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church.  I was involved in their children’s & youth programs.  We came to Colorado and started with Discovery when Rocky Mountain Christian Church planted it.

Jim:” We’ve been setting up for ten years.”

What do you like about Discovery?

Kim: “It feels comfortable – like home.  People genuinely care and take care of each other.”

Jim: “People are genuine.  Our small group got us through Cameron’s cancer.”

Kim has been involved in Little Explorers, the 2 – 3 year-old children’s class.  She’s in there every other Sunday.

Kim: “It’s my favorite age.  I lead the lesson and move the kids from activity to activity.  The challenge is connecting with them and making them feel comfortable and safe.  They still like to give hugs.”

Kim is known for helping children deal with separation anxiety.

Kim: “I can outlast the criers.”

Jim works with Adventure Zone, 3 to 5 year-olds.

Jim: “Generally I’m the storyteller.  I enjoy drama and like to act out the story.  I live in my own world anyway”

What is the next step in your spiritual journey?

Jim: “I need to be around more people.  If God’s kingdom is here on earth, I need to interact and be an integral part of their lives.”

Kim: “I’d love to staple myself to someone and learn from her.  I've found good mentors to be wonderful.  I’ve learned so much from them.