The Staff of Mission Adelante

We believe that God’s call to love our neighbor is at the heart of all His commands and finds a special expression in the way we extend hospitality, compassion, and friendship to people from other places.

Leadership Staff

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Jarrett Meek, Pastor & Executive Director 

Jarrett is the founder of Mission Adelante. A graduate of Midwestern Baptist Seminary, Jarrett served for several years on the staff of Heartland Community Church in Overland Park before moving to Bolivia with his wife Kristen and two daughters to work as missionaries. When they returned they found their calling right here at home. Now the Meek family lives in Kansas City, Kansas and has grown to include four children; Caroline, Annie, Charlie, and Lucy.  

Kristen Maxwell, Associate Director

Kristen has a bachelor's in Family Studies and a Master's in Education with an ESOL teaching certification from Lipscomb University.  Having worked with the refugee and immigrant community for almost 20 years, Kristen is no stranger to Mission Adelante.  Previously a part of our team, she served from 2010-2017 as our Bhutanese Kids and Youth Ministry Director. Since then,  Kristen has served the KCK refugee community in various teaching, leading, and case-management roles.  She is excited to use her gifts to welcome new Kansans to our city and encourage the church to love and serve our new neighbors.

  • phone: (913) 281-6274 ext. 707

Michelle Simbaqueva, Operations Director

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Patrique Harris,  Ministry Community Director

Patrique grew up in Jamaica and moved to the U.S. in 2014 to pursue her undergraduate studies at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She graduated in 2018 with a B.A. in Economics and International Relations and subsequently joined J.P. Morgan's Private Bank as an Analyst based in New York City. After 3 years, Patrique felt called to serve in a Christian Ministry focused on community impact and development. Mission Adelante's charge to intentionally serve the immigrant and refugee community aligned perfectly with Patrique’s passion. She relocated to Kansas City to join the Mission Adelante staff in May 2021

Operations Staff

Shannon Hernández, Finance Manager 

Shannon has a Bachelor's degree in International Development from Calvin College. After graduating, she spent time in Honduras and later began a career in banking. In 2010, Shannon began volunteering at Mission Adelante, and in September of 2016, she joined the Mission Adelante staff. She is married to her husband, Alex, and they have a son, Jason.

Rachel Yeargin, Office Manager 

Ministry Staff

Elaine Reimers, Adult Ministry Director

Elaine was born and raised in the KC Metro area. At the age of 17, she decided to make KCK her home and soon started her family there. While raising her two sons and co-owning Paleteria La Michoacana, she pursued her education and earned an Associate’s Degree in Paraprofessional Education from the University of Phoenix.

Elaine has been connected with Mission Adelante since its early days and, by the grace of God, officially joined the team in the fall of 2023. Alongside her fiancé, Uchechukwu, affectionately known as 'Uche,' they dream of opening a family business, retiring early, and exploring the world. Elaine is a proud mother of four kids: Raul, Nicolas aka 'Nicky,' Julia, and Miguel.

Carla Garcia, Director of Kids Ministries

Carla was born in Durango, Mexico and came to the United States when she was 4 years old. She has been living in Kansas City ever since and graduated from Sumner Academy in 2015. Carla attended Ottawa University and received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in 2020. She hopes to continue her education in the future. Carla is passionate about her community, empowering children, and social justice.

Erick Flores, Ministry Apprentice

Eric was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He has a one year old son named Yidiel. He always had a dream in helping out the community and giving what most people couldn't receive at a young age. He graduated from J.C. Harmon High School in 2024. Eric wants to pursue teaching High School and coach sports here in Kansas City. I plan to attend KCKCC and move onto a university in the future. My goal here at Mission Adelante is to give Kids and Youth more opportunities in the world.

rEFUGEE Resettlement Staff

Amy Herman, Initial Resettlement Director

Having worked with immigrants from many places for the last 11 years, Amy’s heart for Refugee Resettlement is intentional and relational.  She is excited to bring others along in this important work of welcoming strangers and encouraging community.   Amy attended Washburn University and The Institute for Organizational Management and has 20 years of non-profit experience.  Amy has 3 grown children Jake 24, Madeline 23 both living in Kansas City, and Carolyn who attends KSU.

  • phone: (913) 281-6274 ext. 713

Veronica Garcia, Refugee Education Director

Veronica graduated in 2021 from Liberty University with a B.S in Teaching English as a Second Language. She has volunteered with Mission Adelante since January 2021, helping with Adelante Youth and Latino ESL. With experience as an ESL paraprofessional at local schools in Kansas City, Veronica joined the Mission Adelante staff in 2022.

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Yanelis Lopez, CMA Director

Having become a believer while studying at the University of Havana in Cuba, Yanelis’ passion for disciple-making grew in a relational context.  After attending Torchbearers Bible school in Costa Rica, she continued to develop as a leader in her hometown of Mariel, Cuba where she founded RAICES, a holistic disciple-making ministry.  She moved to the U.S. in August of 2015 and joined the Mission Adelante staff in December of the same year.

Marian Ortiz, Case Manager

Marian was born in Cuba and moved to the United States in 2015. She got in touch with Mission Adelante in 2014 while still in Cuba and has kept in touch with the organization ever since. Marian obtained her Associate of Arts degree in Business from Lone Star College and is currently in her junior year at the University of Houston Downtown, where she is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Finance.

Caleb Miller, Refugee Empowerment Director

Caleb spent most of his childhood growing up in the Czech Republic, moving back to the States to finish high school. After graduation from Hope College in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Caleb moved to Kansas City and has spent time working in sales, marketing, education, and food service. Having always loved travel and meeting people from all corners of the world, he is excited to be back in a multicultural environment and serving KCK’s refugee community.

Andrea Cabrera, Refugee Services Case Manager