our team.
meet our staff
Senior Pastors
Ron & Melissa Morein
Ron Morein currently serves as Senior Pastor of Oak Grove Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri. Melissa Morein serves in Women’s Ministries and Administration in the church office. They have been actively ministering for Christ at Oak Grove since May of 2002. Ron and Melissa have been married for 40 years, and they have two daughters and three grandchildren! Ron and Melissa have been in active full-time ministry for nearly 40 years. Ron is a graduate of both CBC and AGTS with a Master’s Degree in Theology from Seminary. They have traveled to the Holy Lands in both Israel and Greece, studying the paths of Jesus and Paul’s journey. They love to meet new people and connect with them in Christ.
Early Childhood Director
Tori McBain
Tori McBain serves as one of the Early Childhood Directors at Oak Grove and is a wife and mother of two children. She is a graduate of Evangel University with a major in Elementary Education. She is married to Caleb McBain, who is a middle school teacher in the Springfield school district. Tori & Caleb have both grown up at Oak Grove. Tori loves helping young children build a firm foundation in Christ and fall in love with Jesus!
Early Childhood Director
Betty Jo Shaulis
Betty serves as one of the Early Childhood Directors at Oak Grove and is a wife and mother of two children. She grew up at Oak Grove and her parents attend as well. She is happy to serve and work with kids and teach them the Bible each week, all in a very safe loving environment at Oak Grove!
Children's Pastor
Brooke Friddle
Brooke serves as Oak Grove Children’s Pastor and has been on staff since May of 2021. She grew up in Arkansas in a Christian home attending an AG church and has served in children’s ministry since 2015. She is a senior at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and pursuing a degree in Intercultural Studies and 3 minor’s including Children’s ministry. At Oak Grove, she has developed a safe and fun culture among the kids so that the Gospel can be taught in many fun and interactive ways. She is passionate about giving kids opportunities to learn, connect, and build a life-long relationship with Jesus. She equips them to become spirit-empowered servants across the globe!
Youth Pastor
Charles “BEAR” Burka
Bear grew up in Oklahoma and was called into youth ministry while he was still in high school. Bear has been Youth Pastor at Oak Grove since 2019. His wife, Ruth grew up in the State of Texas and they have one son. They both had the privilege of growing up in Christian homes. Bear has worked hard to make his calling happen. He earned a Bachelor ‘s degree in Christian Leadership, as well as a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from AGTS in Springfield, MO. Ruth holds a degree in Accounting. They fell in love with the Springfield area and purchased a home to settle down here. After their preparation time was complete, the couple now work together as a team in youth ministry. In 2022 Bear received ministry credentials with the Assemblies of God. He has a passion for learning, teaching, and ministering to youth. He and Ruth love connecting and having fun with students while encouraging them to strengthen their relationships with Christ. Bear also plays the keyboard and loves to worship God through anointed music.
Worship Pastor
Crissy Dodson
Crissy grew up attending Oak Grove Assembly, as well as having the awesome privilege to grow up in a Pastor’s home and ministry environment. With music and worship as one of her passions, Crissy has lead worship for over 10 years at Oak Grove and continues to oversee all Music, Worship and Media with the help of her talented husband, Taylor Dodson, who is an excellent instrumentalist and great asset in ministry. Taylor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications / Audio Engineering from College of the Ozarks. Together, they lead our young adults Ages 18-40 with a weekly Bible study and fun events throughout the year. Crissy also oversees all Community Life of Oak Grove and is well prepared in that area with her college training. She graduated from Evangel University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management / Non-profits. In 2021 Crissy received ministry credentials with the Assemblies of God. They have one son and love seeing young families connect to the local church. They have a big heart for people, and as worship leaders, love hosting the presence and Glory of God into the church services through anointed music.
Media Director
Ethan Swick
Ethan currently serves as the Media Director at Oak Grove, and he is also a broadcaster in the Evangel University Athletics Department. He is a videographer, editor, and graphic designer, and has served as an intern, custodian, and Media Assistant at Oak Grove previously. Swick graduated from EU in 2019 with a degree in Film and Broadcasting, as well as Philosophy, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Writing from the University of Nebraska. He is from the small town of Ponca, Nebraska, and married his wife, Hannah, in November 2020.
Pastoral Care
Carol Perry
Carol is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God and her passion is missions and reaching people with the Gospel. In 2002, she joined Oak Grove as a Minister of Pastoral Care. Carol met her husband Bob at Oak Grove and they were married in 2005. From 1986-2002 Carol was a Missionary Associate with the AG serving in Brussels; Liberia; Sierre Leone; and Tirane. She also served on Convoy of Hope’s International Disaster Relief Team.