Luke & Kelley
Wedding Party
Kelley Bates
Bride
I am a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at The University of Kansas Medical Center. I started following Jesus almost 5 years ago and it was hands down the best decision of my life! Two of my favorite bible verses are 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Acts 20:24. Some of my favorite things are puzzles, worship music, playing board games/cards with friends and family, going on walks, and anything cozy.
Maddy Minchew
Maid of Honor
I met Maddy my freshman year of college at KU. She is on staff with KU Christian Challenge, the campus ministry I was a part of. During welcome week, Maddy brought me a gift bag and we hit it off right away. Maddy became my life group leader and quickly my heart friend. Ever since then Maddy and I have been on many adventures and road trips together and have made many memories. She is one of the people I look up to the most due to her love for Jesus and the way she seeks to share the Gospel. She is so cool and wrote a book called "Must be the Cross"! It's amazing!! Definitely go check it out!
Whitney Rorabaugh
Bridesmaid
Whitney and I became friends my freshman year of college at KU. She also, like Maddy, was my life group leader. Although we didn't connect right away, we later became heart friends when we lead our own life group my sophomore year of college. We walked through a lot of life together in a short amount of time, and am beyond thankful God put us in close community. Whitney is such a joy to have in my life and never ceases to make me laugh. She is the BEST opera singer, and also makes some bomb guacamole.
Emily Holmes
Bridesmaid
Emily, like Maddy and Whitney, was my life group leader my freshman year of college at KU. She not only taught me how to follow Jesus during life group, but took a step further and discipled me outside of group. She took me under her wing and taught me how to read the bible, showed me the character of God, and gave me a front row seat to how she lives her life for Jesus. She made college feel like home away from home for me, and she will always be a heart friend. Emily amazes me with her craftiness, and I can't get enough of her little dog Lucy!
Patty Davenport
Bridesmaid
Patty and I met through Paradigm. Her husband Kian discipled Luke, and we went on some double dates together. We quickly connected through our similar testimonies and walks with Jesus. Patty is one of those friends who is consistent, joyful, and true. Her light for Jesus is so bright and I love the example she sets for how to follow Jesus and the accountability she provides. I love how much Patty loves food and all things cozy. She is also a doctor in Physical Therapy so she is next level amazing. Finally, we are the same enneagram number, a 6, so we understand each other too well!!
Katie Ward
Bridesmaid
Katie and I met through Paradigm soon after I had just moved back home to attend KUMC. I was seeking to be discipled again and saw how much Katie loved Jesus and the great example she was setting. Katie started discipling me over a year ago and I am so glad that she did. She has challenged me in so many ways and my walk with Jesus grew so much from being discipled by her. She is one of the godliest people I know and strive to follow Jesus like she does. I always cherish our walks around her neighborhood talking about anything and everything, and she also shares the funniest memes!
Luke Hoffman
Groom
I am a Data Engineer with the company UnitedLex. The most important thing to me in life is my relationship with Jesus. I am not always perfect at it, but I try to live out Matthew 6:33. I love hanging out with my bros and playing video games. I also enjoy playing pickleball and going on hikes to balance out the nerd in me. I am not always the best with words, so I am going to keep this bio short :)
Zach McEwen
Best Man
Me and my boy Zach... We go all the way back to the elementary school parking lot playing Nintendo DS games in our moms' cars. Zach has been a consistent friend ever since. I am so grateful for our friendship and for how he has been there for me. He has always been available for a deep conversation and has helped push me towards Christ throughout our friendship. Also, Zach is literally the best at everything.. Pickleball, video games, ping pong, spike ball, etc.. So a good guy to have on your team.
Logan Hoffman
Groomsman
Logan is the best brother I could ask for. He has always been there for me. I remember back in middle school there was this guy picking on me and so I told my brother and the next day the guy came apologizing to me. Haha I don't know what my brother said, but I know he has my back. He is someone I can always go to and ask for help and he is there to support me no matter what. I am very grateful for our friendship and I love him very much.
Payton Shippy
Groomsman
Like Zach, Payton was in my class and we went through most of school together. Payton probably remembers the good old days when he was taller than me, but now he is the shorter friend. But he can grow a really nice beard unlike me, so he has that on me. Payton is one of those life long friends where we can pick up where we left off. I am grateful for his friendship and I admire his pursuit of ministry.
Jeremiah Christian
Groomsman
Jeremiah and I have known each other most of our lives. From little kids playing Nintendo games all the way to taking some college classes together. He is probably one of the goofiest guys I know! I am so thankful for our friendship and how God has kept our paths crossing. He is the type of friend where months or even years go by without talking but then we can pick back up where we left off like it was yesterday. He has always been such an encouragement and someone I can go to for advice and have deep talks.
Jonathon Hoke
Groomsman
Jonathon and I became good friends back in high school doing theater together. We thought we were the cool kids since we did stage crew. I remember showing him this cookie clicker game on my phone after stage crew practice one day and he thought that was pretty cool. Ever since then we have been video game buddies. I have lots of fun memories with Jonathon. Zach, Jonathon and I do most things together from video games and movies to hiking and playing pickleball. Jonathon will always be one of the bros.