Lesly is a native of Leedey, Oklahoma, and was appointed as the Sr. Pastor of Polk Street in 2021. Lesly holds an Agricultural Communications degree from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and served in three different appointments in Oklahoma before coming to Amarillo. A dynamic and relatable communicator he has expertise in church size dynamics, developing healthy leadership team behavior, downtown church ministry, and church growth targeted around gospel-centered ministries. Lesly and his wife Amy have been married for over 25 years and have two adult children, Morgan and husband Drake, and Lawson and wife Mackenzi. Lesly is passionate about Oklahoma State University athletics, hunting and fishing, and working on his family’s farm and ranch in western Oklahoma.   

Katie grew up in southern Oklahoma and has a degree in Biology Education. She graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Master in Divinity. During the course of ministry she has served as an associate pastor, senior pastor, and campus minister. In the summer of 2023, she joined the Polk Street staff. Katie is passionate about making disciples of Jesus Christ and equipping the saints for the work of ministry.

Katie is married to Brad and they have two children, Megan, who lives and works in Phoenix, Arizona, and James. Together they enjoy traveling, watching movies, and playing games.

As the children’s director, Merri oversees Sunday School, Wednesday night, and special activities for children from birth through 5th grade. She is also involved with the Child Development Center by leading Chapel for the Pre-K children who attend the childcare.  

Merri and her husband Isaac have been married for over 20 years. They have 4 daughters, Savannah, Alexandra, Isabel, and Victoria. Her oldest daughter Savannah and her husband Joseph have made Isaac and Merri grandparents since welcoming Zoey in March of 2021.  Merri enjoys, exercising, eating (somewhat) healthy, watching (really) old movies, learning more about the Bible, and spending time with her family.  

Ashley Kiper became Director of Youth Ministry at Polk Street in August of 2023. Ashley is from Pampa and studied at West Texas A&M.  She has worked in full time youth and children’s ministry since 2013. Her heart is for students and families to experience the love and grace of Jesus so that they can establish a deeply rooted faith that will survive the storms of life.

When she’s not supporting Polk Street students at their extracurricular activities, Ashley enjoys travelling to every George Strait concert possible, listening to a ridiculous number of podcasts, cheering (or crying) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Oklahoma Sooners, volunteering as a CASA and for mission projects, lifting weights, playing guitar and singing.

Ashley’s parents live in Pampa and her sister lives in Los Angeles.

Anthony Vickery joined the Polk Street staff in 2022 and has been involved in the leadership of church music since he was 13 years old. He has served in various churches across the Texas panhandle in his short career as well serving as the high school choral director at Borger High School and the Assistant Choral Director at Canyon High School. Anthony holds a Master of Music: Choral Conducting from West Texas A&M University.

Anthony brings a wide range of experience to Polk Street from church and school choral direction to orchestra conducting to contemporary worship leadership. His passion for learning and his commitment to leading others into the presence of God through worship are an inspiration.  

Anthony married the love of his life Nakita, in June 2022.

Adrianne was born and raised in Amarillo, TX but has lived in Seattle, WA as well as Atlanta, GA, but being a Texas girl at heart, she and her family made the permanent move back to Amarillo in 2016. She joined the Polk Street staff in 2024 and has sung in the choir since 2022.

Adrianne holds a Bachelors degree in Music Business with emphasis in Piano from West Texas A&M University. She owns a private piano studio in Amarillo where she teaches all ages of students. She also serves the music community as a member of Amarillo Music Teachers Association and is the Chairman of Student Affiliate for the organization. She joined the Canyon Jr. High School staff as a part-time helper for the choir in 2024.

Adrianne and her husband, Bobby have been married since 2005 and welcomed their son, Ian in 2012. He is the joy of their life.

One of her fondest memories of being in the choir at Polk Street was singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City in November 2022.

Noel-Paul Laur, born in Ontario, Canada, joined the Polk Street staff in 2004 and was part of the Amarillo Youth Choirs staff from 2001-2024 as the regular rehearsal and concert accompanist.

Dr. Laur has the following music degrees: an Associate of Music Performer’s Diploma (Organ) from Western Conservatory of Music, London, Ont. (1977); a Bachelor of Music Performer’s Degree (Organ) from Wheaton College-Conservatory of Music, Wheaton, IL (1978); a Master of Church Music (Organ, Conducting) from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ (1980). Also to his credit are the following certificates from the American Guild of Organists, New York, NY: the Service Playing Certificate (1981); the Colleague Certificate (1983); the Associate Certificate (1993); the Choir Master Certificate (1996); and the Fellowship Certificate (2006). He also earned a Doctor of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Jacksonville, FL (2008).

Dr. Laur and his wife, Debbie have four children: Chrysler (m. to Amy) - Texas; Carter (m. to Myrna) - Hawaii; Carling (m. to Alex) - New Hampshire; Caitlin - Texas, 3 of whom (Carter, Carling, and Caitlin) are AYC alumni. There are seven grandchildren amongst them (Grace, Gwen, Troy, Nora, Allie, Charlotte, and Liam). They live in Lake Tanglewood with their pet Maltese dog, “Mumble.”

Born and raised in Amarillo, Christopher developed a passion for cooking at a young age. One of his fondest memories growing up was the communal meals shared every Wednesday before services, where he witnessed the power of food to bring people together.

A graduate of the Art Institute of Dallas with a focus on culinary studies, he and his wife, Meaghan, have been married for five years and are proud parents of three children. In his free time, he enjoys hobbies such as gardening, raising chickens and turkeys.

Samantha joined the Polk Street staff in August of 2023 as the Pastor's Secretary. She was born and raised in London, England and moved to Amarillo at age 24. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2012. She has three wonderful children, two boys, Jude age 6 and Aiden age 21 and a daughter, Kiela age 18.

Other than spending time with her children, she loves to be creative and is a professional portrait artist. One of the things she loves the most about Amarillo is the overwhelming presence of God and the friendly and inviting people.

Melinda joined the staff of Polk Street in May of 2023. Melinda worked for 13 years as supervisor of housekeeping and laundry at Baptist Community Services and then the last 5 years at BSA hospital until January of this year when she retired. After a few months of being at home she decided she was ready to join the working world again and the Lord brought her here to Polk Street. After 45 years she found her high school sweetheart, Rex, and they married in February 2022. Rex has his doctorate in pharmacology and teaches at WT. They have 5 beautiful grandchildren, 2 girls and 3 boys, ranging from kindergarten all the way up to a Junior at WT that keep them very busy with sports and gymnastics. They love to travel, work in the yard together, and listen to live music. They love spending time with family and enjoying every minute they can with both of their 96-year-old parents.

Daniel joined the Polk Street staff in October 2022. He has a degree in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas in Austin and has over 13 years of experience working in film and television production, graphic design, web design, marketing, and much more. He enjoys traveling, going to the movies, and spending time with his wife Alexis and two cats, Booker and Isaac.

Nakita was born in Queensland, Australia and moved to America in the 9th grade to Midland, Texas. While in school she developed a love for music in choir and band. Nakita attended West Texas A&M University, answering the calling on her life to be a musician by attaining her bachelor’s degrees in Music Performance and Education. Throughout college, Nakita served as a staff singer at Polk Street Methodist Church and became the Director of Student Music Ministries in 2021. She is so excited to lead students in praising God and growing in their musical skills. Nakita married the love of her life Anthony in 2022.

Tisha was raised in Amarillo and has spent most of her life working in restaurant and retail management. She started at Polk Street CDC as a teacher in 2018 and is now the Director. She and her husband Billy have a young daughter Faith. She enjoys watching racing or relaxing at home. 

Trenda was raised in Wellington, (Go Rockets!), and moved back to the area in 2010. She has two teenage daughters, Tesslyn and Imogen. She has been at Polk Street CDC since 2013.  She started teaching in the toddler room and is now the Assistant Director. When she is not at the CDC you can find her spending time with her daughters or baking. 

Blaine was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He joined the Polk Street staff in June 2022. He brings a wealth of knowledge including a background as an electrician. He has one dog (Moose) and one cat (Keanu). When he is not spending time with his two sisters he can be found restoring automobiles, golfing, camping, and trail riding on his dirt bike.

Henry is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has worked at Polk Street since 2021. He has enjoys working with such a friendly staff and congregation. He has three children and five grandchildren. Henry enjoys spending time with his granddaughter outside of work. 

Randy moved from El Reno, Oklahoma to Amarillo, TX in 1980. He first worked for the Santa Fe Railroad then started at Polk Street in November 1984. He has enjoyed working here for many, many years. He has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Randy’s hobbies are trivia, riding his bike, reading, and watching TV. 

Bob is originally from Rainier, Oregon. He spent many years in the Airforce as a Jet Engine Technician. Bob started at Polk Street in June 2022. He has enjoyed working around so many different groups of people involved with the same single goal. He has 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Bob's hobbies are fishing, yardwork and camping.