Our Team
Nancy J. Tuma
BA, MDiv, Pastor
As a solo minister, Nancy leads all activities of the church including Sunday worship services, book and Bible studies, small groups, and providing pastoral care. She was instrumental in introducing the Matthew 25 initiative that seeks to make a difference in people’s lives by (1) building congregational vitality, (2) dismantling structural racism, and (3) eradicating systemic poverty.
Nancy received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. After graduation, she worked for a newspaper and then in sales where she spent more time listening to the challenges in her clients’ personal lives than actually selling products. After about five years she decided to listen to God’s call and enrolled in a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) program at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO. She was ordained in 2016 and has served churches in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri.
In her free time, she loves gardening, reading, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. She, her husband Dan Hinrichs, along with their furry family members live in the Westwood Park neighborhood.
Cheryl Adam
Director of Music
Cheryl Adam, her husband, Matt, and their pets live in the Kansas City Northland. When not watching the Chiefs or The Ohio State Buckeyes football games, Cheryl enjoys playing sax in the UMKC Campus Band, watching Survivor, goofing around with their foster kittens, and cooking!
Cheryl was born in Seville, Ohio, and currently works at the UMKC Conservatory. She studied voice and choral conducting at Luther College and has been a member of a variety of choral ensembles, singing anything from classical to jazz. Directing musicals, community groups, and church choirs are real passions of hers!
Mark Ihde
BS, BA Organist
Mark Ihde became the organist at Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church in 2022. It’s a role he enjoys because the organ “offers a wide dynamic range of sounds, which I feel is reflective of the many ways God speaks to us.” He grew up in Herington, Kansas where his mother was a church organist. His first organ lessons began at age 6, and he began playing for church services at age 9. Mark has been playing for church services for over 50 years at churches in Herington, Kansas; Boston; Minneapolis; and Kansas City.
Although his avocation is music – and he does have a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas -- Mark also has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University. He has worked in the hospitality and accounting fields for companies such as Westin Hotels and Resorts, Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental for more than 35 years.
He is a current member of the American Guild of Organists.
Grace Chang
Pianist
Grace Chang has been playing piano since the age of 4, making it such an integral part of her life that when she doesn’t play she suffers from withdrawal! This love of music has led her to make it the focus of her life and school. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy (teaching) and plans to continue on to get a DMA in the same field. But outside of music, Grace has many varied hobbies. She is a devoted dog mom (only one dog currently but there will be more!), a practicing second-degree black belt in taekwondo, and is entirely devoted to trying to replicate her dad's mouth-watering Chinese food!
Mary Gossell
Choir Practice Accompanist
Native to the Kansas City area, Mary Gossell is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. At UMKC, she enjoys collaborating with singers and instrumentalists in lessons and recitals and leads the collegiate chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music organization. Mary also teaches a private studio of 14 students and dabbles in composing and arranging, frequently writing pieces for her students to play. Having been involved in church music for many years, one of her other favorite musical interests is improvising on hymns and worship music. In her spare time, Mary can be found attempting a new recipe, reading Sherlock Holmes, or grabbing coffee with friends.
Kim Manford
Preschool Director
Kim Manford has been a Director at Ward Parkway Preschool (WPP) for 22 years. Kim attended the University of Kansas where she received her degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Kim was born and raised in the NW suburbs of Chicago where she developed her love for Lake Michigan but settled in the KC area after marrying her husband, Jeff, 29 years ago. They have 2 grown children, Jacob and Shelby. In her spare time, Kim enjoys traveling anywhere coastal and 70°, organizing closets, and baking. One of Kim’s favorite things about her role at WPP is walking alongside parents as they love and lead their children.
Amanda Bartel
Preschool Director
Amanda Bartel currently serves as a Director at Ward Parkway Preschool (WPP). For 7 years, she was a teacher in our Preschool 1 class and during the 2021-2022 school year Amanda transitioned to her new role. She has an Elementary Education Degree from Tabor College. Amanda and her husband, Paul have been married for 20 years. They have 4 children, Micah, Silas, Salem, and Norah, all of whom attended WPP. Together they enjoy cooking and discovering new recipes. Amanda also enjoys yoga, walking, and reading. She loves helping children feel safe and loved during their first experiences at school.