Justin Lefto
Senior Pastor
Loving, learning, and living happen every day at The Benton Church and it is Pastor Justin Lefto’s honor to lead the church forward. He and the church family extend a warm welcome to all visitors of The Benton Church.
Justin began serving with The Benton Church congregation in the summer of 2017. He is passionate about living for Jesus and sharing God’s Word in understandable, practical, and personal ways.
Justin, his wife, Kara, and their three sons are originally from Minnesota. He graduated from Northwestern University in St. Paul, MN, with degrees in Bible, Christian Education, and Youth Ministries. He later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. In 2008, God led the Lefto family to Kansas, and since 2016, Valley Center has been their home. During the three-plus decades of Christian ministry, Justin has served as a youth ministry leader, camp director, campus ministry director, conference staff, associate pastor, and senior pastor.
Justin began serving with The Benton Church congregation in the summer of 2017. He is passionate about living for Jesus and sharing God’s Word in understandable, practical, and personal ways.
Justin, his wife, Kara, and their three sons are originally from Minnesota. He graduated from Northwestern University in St. Paul, MN, with degrees in Bible, Christian Education, and Youth Ministries. He later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. In 2008, God led the Lefto family to Kansas, and since 2016, Valley Center has been their home. During the three-plus decades of Christian ministry, Justin has served as a youth ministry leader, camp director, campus ministry director, conference staff, associate pastor, and senior pastor.
Leland Whitman
Family Pastor
Where there’s a church, there’s usually a whole lot of kids, teens, and families—and that’s exactly where Pastor Leland Whitman feels right at home! As the Family Pastor at The Benton Church, Leland’s heart is to help the next generation (and their parents!) love, learn, and live in light of the gospel.
Leland joined the TBC family in December 2024 and couldn’t be more excited to be part of what God is doing here. He’s passionate about walking alongside families and helping kids and students grow in their faith in real, everyday ways.
Leland and his wife, Autumn, have three awesome kids—Judah, Watson, and Ellie—who keep life full of laughter and exhaustion (if you've ever been a parent of three under three, you understand). He graduated from Ozark Christian College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and is currently working toward his Master of Divinity at Lincoln Seminary. Before coming to Kansas, Leland served as a children’s pastor in Tennessee, and now he’s privileged to call TBC home.
Leland joined the TBC family in December 2024 and couldn’t be more excited to be part of what God is doing here. He’s passionate about walking alongside families and helping kids and students grow in their faith in real, everyday ways.
Leland and his wife, Autumn, have three awesome kids—Judah, Watson, and Ellie—who keep life full of laughter and exhaustion (if you've ever been a parent of three under three, you understand). He graduated from Ozark Christian College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and is currently working toward his Master of Divinity at Lincoln Seminary. Before coming to Kansas, Leland served as a children’s pastor in Tennessee, and now he’s privileged to call TBC home.
Angie Telford
Office Administrator
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Kara Lefto
AWANA Coordinator
More information soon!