Blue Valley Church
- Denomination: SBC
- Location: Overland Park, KS
- Size: 734 (Antioch Campus: 520)
- Website: https://bluevalleychurch.org/
- Hiring for: Worship Pastor
A shift leaves an opening
When John Hollan, longtime Worship Pastor of Blue Valley Church’s Antioch campus, stepped into a new role as Executive Pastor, he left big shoes to fill. After 15 years of faithful service as worship pastor, his transition provided an opportunity to better align staff roles with individual strengths, empowering the team toward their church’s mission. But it also introduced a vital need to find someone to take John’s place. Worship is central to Blue Valley’s identity, and finding the right leader to guide the congregation in worship would be essential.
Blue Valley wasn’t simply looking for a musician—they needed a shepherd and pastor to lead their team and congregation by authentic example. The next Worship Pastor would not only lead musical worship but also serve as a spiritual leader, shaping each service alongside the lead pastor. From coordinating volunteers and managing technical elements to joining the elder team and modeling authentic worship, this role would impact nearly every corner of the church’s life. With worship woven into every ministry and event at Blue Valley, getting this hire right was crucial.
About Blue Valley Church
Blue Valley Church is a thriving congregation located in the Kansas City Metro area, with two campuses situated in the heart of Johnson County, Kansas. The church warmly welcomes people from all walks of life and across both sides of the state line.
Their passion for the gospel is evident in worship that prioritizes substance over style, in expository preaching designed to reach people in today’s culture, and in a clear challenge to every person to live out the Five Habits of a Jesus Follower: Surrender, Sustain, Sacrifice, Shine, and Share. The culture at Blue Valley is deeply relational, built on mutual accountability, spiritual growth, and a shared mission to help people everywhere understand what it means to follow Jesus.
Blue Valley’s unicorn candidate
Blue Valley’s dream candidate would need to have:
- A shepherd’s heart and a passion for spiritual formation
- A bachelor’s degree (theological training strongly preferred)
- At least 10 years of worship ministry experience
- A love for multi-generational ministry and a heart for the next generation
- The ability to teach and lead others to worship
- Organizational and administrative excellence
- Strong relational skills and team leadership capabilities
The search in action
Blue Valley partnered with Vanderbloemen for the first time to find the right worship pastor. This collaboration gave the church access to an extensive network of qualified candidates and a team of field experts who specialize in matching the right people with the right church culture.
Senior Executive Search Consultant Eric Albert, with more than 22 years of pastoral ministry experience, was assigned to the case. Known for his ability to understand the unique DNA of an organization and find candidates who align perfectly and bring the necessary gifts, Eric quickly understood what made Blue Valley special, and what their new Worship Pastor needed to bring to the table.
Eric launched the search process by meeting with the 16 elders (who functioned as the church’s search team) and key staff members. From there, he developed a detailed candidate profile and handed it off to Executive Search Recruiters Will Hancock and Kamia Morris, who partnered with Eric through the end of the process to review applications and conduct interviews. This strategic and collaborative process ensured that only vetted candidates aligned with Blue Valley’s theology, culture, and expectations were presented to the church’s search team.
About Micah Eastridge
Blue Valley Church’s ideal candidate came to them within the first round of candidates that Vanderbloemen had provided. That candidate was Mississippian Worship Pastor Micah Eastridge. Micah and his wife of eight years, Becky, grew up together in Mississippi, but now experienced a calling to Kansas to join Blue Valley Church’s ministry. Together, they are raising two young daughters, ages 5 and 2. The Eastridge family made the move from Carriere, Mississippi to Overland Park, Kansas to begin their new chapter.en, two of whom are married. The Melones value intentional family time and extend that intentionality to a deep sense of mission and relational leadership in every setting.
Micah stood out as Blue Valley’s dream candidate for many reasons:
- He brings more than 15 years of worship ministry experience, meeting and exceeding the church’s desired leadership tenure.
- He holds a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Worship Ministry, fulfilling the requirement for a bachelor’s degree and musical background.
- He also earned a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, providing the theological training and pastoral capabilities Blue Valley hoped for.
- Micah is passionate about developing and growing worship ministries, reflecting a heart for spiritual formation in Blue Valley’s multi-generational congregation.
- He is gifted not only in leading worship but also in teaching others how to worship.
- His strong administrative and relational skills match the church’s need for an organized, collaborative, and influential pastor.
Micah didn’t just meet Blue Valley’s vision for a worship pastor—he surpassed it. He embodies the leadership, spiritual depth, and capability they were praying for. The church confidently looks forward to Micah joining the team, confident that he will help guide the congregation in glorifying God and pursuing their mission through worship.
