About OUR BOARD

 David Kelsay was born in Clinton in 1955, and grew up in the Urich area. After

graduating from Sherwood High School, he went on to attend William Jewell College where he

earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. After graduation, he worked in the Kansas City area

for a couple of years before returning to Henry County in 1980, when an opportunity arose for

him to work at the Kansas City Power and Light (now Evergy) Montrose Station plant west of

Clinton. He was promoted there to the position of Plant Chemist where he oversaw the water

purification and treatment for the boilers. His employment continued there until 2011, when

he retired.

David has been a member of 1 st Baptist Church in Clinton for more than 40 years. Over the

years, he has served in a number of teaching and music ministry positions. He currently serves

in the GriefShare ministry, and plays the piano for the weekly Celebrate Recovery services. In

his spare time, he does substitute teaching at Clinton Christian Academy. 

 I was recently you! I was the one that needed help fixing my life of bad choices filled with broken relationships of family and friends. I have been in various jails 34 plus times. Been to prison 4 times. I was a drug addict that supported my life style by dealing vast amounts of meth to others.  Then I found God in another jail cell.  Between  His grace and mercy and the men He placed in my life I was given another chance at a rewarding abundant life. So this center is a dream of mine to give back what was so freely given to me. I look  forward to helping you grow in your relationship with God, each other, your families, and your communities.  I know if I could do it anyone else can. I look forward to showing you my path and helping you find your own 

  Valerie Dehn holds a BS in General Business from Missouri State University and has owned and operated Ship-Shape Organizing, Inc. for over 25 years. Valerie serves individuals and small businesses in a variety of industries with organizing, logistics, and bookkeeping support. Dedicated to spiritual and leadership development, Valerie actively serves with Celebrate Recovery at First Baptist Church, Clinton. She is eager to see the transforming grace of Jesus in the lives of those around her. 

I lived most of my life in Henry county born in Clinton at the General Hospital that was on 3rd st. between  Green & Jefferson streets. Graduated the new Clinton High School May 1965 and then was Drafted May 1966 into the Army, married the love of my heart Sherry July 24 while being Trained at Fort Riley Kansas until December 20th 1966. Sent to  Vietnam January 1, 1967  for real life training, and I give credit to the training and God that I got to come home  January 1, 1968. This experience caused me to turn to alcohol for way to many years of my early married life and it’s this  experience of my past that I want to serve on this board. 

Owned my own construction LLC  for 42 years and have built many building projects starting in Clinton and reaching to St. Louis, Mo. to. Tulsa, Ok , Topeka, Ks and to Saint Joseph, Mo. A member of FBC for 26years, Deacon, Sunday school teacher, have gone on many Missions with Mo. Baptist Disaster Relief on Hurricane and Tornado storms. Helped start the Celebrate Recovery mission in our church over 15 years ago. I believe in the CR program  and excited about the lives that God will change through this Discipleship Center. 

I was born and raised in Clinton, Missouri. I obtained a degree in Sociology from UCM

and began working at Compass Health (Pathways then) in the areas of mental health

and substance abuse. In 1997, I began working for the State of Missouri as a Probation

and Parole Officer. I retired from that position in December of 2024. I was blessed to

be able to take my favorite part of that job with me, in that I now have a part time

position as the Henry County Recovery Court Supervising Officer. In addition to that my

husband and I have a small farm business in which we raise goats and chickens and

make and sell various homemade products. I have two sons that are currently 25 and

29. I am married to Doug Retherford. I accepted Jesus into my heart at a very young

age. I have always had a heart to help and serve others, and I feel blessed and

honored to be a part of the FBC Discipleship Center.

I grew up on a family farm near Odessa, MO. I moved to Clinton in 1975 where I was manager

and part of owner of a retail business until 2005 when we sold the business and through a

calling of God, changed career paths.

I was fortunate to be raised in a very loving, Christian home, but I was 18 years old before I

came to know Jesus. I had head knowledge, but not heart knowledge. Even after receiving

Jesus as my Savior, my attitude toward the lost, the struggling, and the broken was often an

attitude of contempt. Praise God, He has and is continuing to change my heart to one of

compassion and love. I now have a burden for those that are in recovery and are trying to

rebuild their lives.

I am married to my best friend and have two wonderful daughters and sons in law, and two

precious granddaughters. I am a member of First Baptist Church, Clinton where I have served

as Sunday School teacher, various committees and currently serve as active deacon, Sunday

morning worship team, and Celebrate Recovery worship team. God is so good and I am blessed

to serve on the Forged by Christ board of directors.