BENAE DUFF
Director of Children's Ministry
Benae Duff grew up near Montezuma, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband Tom live in Urbandale, with two high-maintenance pets. They began attending Westkirk together, were married here in 1999 and raised their three (now adult and college-age) children at Westkirk. Benae served as a Deacon and in Children’s Ministry before coming on staff in 2013.
Benae completed the PCA’s Children’s Ministry Certification program in 2019, and regularly participates in children’s ministry leadership training opportunities through the PCA. She also has traveled to Turkey and Poland to help lead children’s programming for International Messengers’ Staff Conferences.
As Director of Children’s Ministry, Benae coordinates programming for children from birth to 11 years old. This includes Sunday School, Westkirk on Wednesday (WOW), Summer WOW, and our children's choir.
Benae loves being in the classroom with children, and is grateful to Lord for his calling. “Serving the Lord in Children’s Ministry at Westkirk is a joy! Watching children grow spiritually is so exciting. Getting to nurture that growth and equipping our church family to do the same are great blessings.”
Benae completed the PCA’s Children’s Ministry Certification program in 2019, and regularly participates in children’s ministry leadership training opportunities through the PCA. She also has traveled to Turkey and Poland to help lead children’s programming for International Messengers’ Staff Conferences.
As Director of Children’s Ministry, Benae coordinates programming for children from birth to 11 years old. This includes Sunday School, Westkirk on Wednesday (WOW), Summer WOW, and our children's choir.
Benae loves being in the classroom with children, and is grateful to Lord for his calling. “Serving the Lord in Children’s Ministry at Westkirk is a joy! Watching children grow spiritually is so exciting. Getting to nurture that growth and equipping our church family to do the same are great blessings.”
Lisa Bolton
Office Coordinator
Lisa grew up in Taiwan as the daughter of missionary parents before coming to Iowa to attend college in Iowa. She lived in a number of places before settling in Minnesota for many years. Lisa, her husband, Luke, and their two boys moved to the Des Moines area in 2024.
She began serving as office coordinator in 2025. She’s thankful to be able to use her experience in clerical work to further the Lord’s work and finds that no two days are alike in the church office.
She began serving as office coordinator in 2025. She’s thankful to be able to use her experience in clerical work to further the Lord’s work and finds that no two days are alike in the church office.
JORDAN POHLMANN
Director of Vocal Music
When Jordan and his wife Mary arrived at Westkirk in 2013, they were immediately welcomed and encouraged by members who have since become their long-time friends. At that time, they were a young couple with a dog and a small apartment. Now, they have grown into a family of six and always look forward to stepping out of their busy week to share fellowship and join in worship with their Westkirk brothers and sisters.
Jordan has the privilege of directing the Westkirk Choir and the contemporary Worship Ensemble, as well as the brass and strings groups. Music has been a passion of his for his entire life. He is ever thankful for the opportunity to lead and serve in a community that deeply cherishes God’s gifts of singing and music. Westkirk is known as a singing congregation, and they lift their voices with passion when proclaiming the glory and goodness of God, and all that He has done for them. Jordan is immensely thankful for the numerous highly talented individuals who make up the ensembles, sacrificing their time and energy to make the worship services at Westkirk beautiful and rich.
In addition to his ministry at Westkirk, Jordan serves as the choral music classroom teacher at Two Rivers Classical Academy where he directs a number of vocal ensembles. He also has the privilege of working with many fine young musicians in his private voice and piano studio. Moreover, every day is an adventure for him as he homeschools their children.
Jordan has the privilege of directing the Westkirk Choir and the contemporary Worship Ensemble, as well as the brass and strings groups. Music has been a passion of his for his entire life. He is ever thankful for the opportunity to lead and serve in a community that deeply cherishes God’s gifts of singing and music. Westkirk is known as a singing congregation, and they lift their voices with passion when proclaiming the glory and goodness of God, and all that He has done for them. Jordan is immensely thankful for the numerous highly talented individuals who make up the ensembles, sacrificing their time and energy to make the worship services at Westkirk beautiful and rich.
In addition to his ministry at Westkirk, Jordan serves as the choral music classroom teacher at Two Rivers Classical Academy where he directs a number of vocal ensembles. He also has the privilege of working with many fine young musicians in his private voice and piano studio. Moreover, every day is an adventure for him as he homeschools their children.
BARB MCCARGAR
Head Custodian
Barb grew up in West Des Moines and graduated from Valley High School. After graduating from DMACC as a medical assistant she worked for five years before starting her family. Barb is the proud mother of 8 children (2 boys and 6 girls). She also has 16 grandchildren. Barb started as custodian in 2006 and works hard to keep the building looking beautiful. She considers it a privilege to make a good impression upon the members and guests when they enter church. Besides a busy schedule of custodian work around Westkirk, she also performs morning and afternoon crossing guard duties for Crestview Elementary School in Clive.