Frank Reichart

Growing up on a farm near Valley Falls, Kansas, Visitation Pastor Frank Reichart loved rural life — it was a life that planted in him the seed to help others.

After first considering agricultural missionary work during college at Kansas State University, Frank found God had a different legacy in mind for him. “Working with local pastors and youth gave me a fresh approach to pastoral ministry,” he says. “The impact of meeting other youth and young adults (several of whom were heading for the ministry) and sensing their commitment to Christ no doubt contributed to where I am today in ministry.”

He seemed to have a knack for creating worship opportunities wherever he went. At K-State, Frank helped to start a student fellowship group for students of the Evangelical United Brethren church (which later became the United Methodist Church). Eventually the group grew into what is now College Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan, Kan. While in the army, Frank started a GI gospel hour for new recruits in Texas. Later, Pastor Reichart served several smaller Kansas communities as a minister, including Concordia, Pittsburg and Highland, before arriving in the Kansas City metro area in 1980.

“My call to ministry seemed to evolve over a period of time.  There was no one defining moment that I could point to and say, ‘this is it.’  In one sense the call has continued every day throughout my life thus far. Every day God continues to call me to minister in His Name.”

Frank’s kind words and warm smile have graced the halls of Old Mission for more than 20 years. He offers help and encouragement to shut-ins and older members of the church by coordinating events like yard clean up days and home repairs for those in need.

You’ll often find him collecting goods for local food pantries, serving meals at the Argentine Food Kitchen, and organizing the Bishop’s Round-up for Hunger. Frank also “walks the walk” — he’s participated in the Crop Walk every year for two-and-a-half decades.

Frank says one reason Old Mission is special comes from the church’s emphasis on missions through the years. “It certainly has a name to live up to with ‘mission’ in its name,” he says.

More fun facts about Frank:

What’s your favorite food(s)?

I pretty much like any food, period. I am thankful for food and those who prepare it. I will admit that I am especially fond of sweets.

For fun I enjoy ...

For fun, I enjoy helping others. Believe it or not, work can be fun. We have taken a number of trips that have been fun. It is fun now to see our granddaughters’ ball games and to spend time with them.

Who inspires you?

Those who are faithful servants of Christ are certainly an inspiration. Stories or testimonies of people recorded in Christian publications, such as Guideposts, etc. are inspiring as one sees the grace of God and work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Not only the who, but the what also inspires, such as the Bible, particularly the New Testament, and other good books. The life of Christ is the greatest inspiration. To be more like him is a constant challenge.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

My idea of a perfect day would be for there to be peace in the world everywhere with no more war or hunger or disease. Loving God and neighbor with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength would help obtain a perfect day.

Tell us about your family...

I am the eldest of my siblings (a brother and two sisters) and I married the middle one of three siblings (all sisters). I grew up at Valley Falls, Kansas. My wife, Lillian (nee Ries), is from Akron, Ohio. We met through her older sister as a result of my participation in the Youth Evangelism Service. We have been blessed with three children and two granddaughters. We have a daughter Diane (Mrs. Bob Morris), who is the mother of twins, Rachel and Monica (now 11 years old), and two sons, John and David, neither of whom are married. All three of our children are high school teachers in the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission School Districts.