Leadership

Transitional Pastor

Transitional Pastor Tom Willadsen began serving Trinity on December 1, 2024.  He has served Presbyterian churches in six states, most recently in Sparks, Nevada, suburban Reno.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and master’s degree from the University of Chicago. Prior to attending seminary, he worked for the Department of City Planning in New York City.

Tom’s passion is connecting with people and stories. He is the author of OMG! LOL! Faith and Laughter (Gemma Open Door, 2012) and Gratitude on the Prairie (CSS Publishing, 2020). His writing has appeared in The Christian Century, the Peoria Journal-Star, Oshkosh Northwestern, Reno Gazette Journal, Horizons, Leadership and Presbyterian Outlook. He was The Cresset’s humorist for more than 20 years. Currently he is a contributing writer for The Immediate Word, a weekly resource for preachers that offers perspective on today’s headlines and popular culture.

“Transitional ministry is about helping congregations take their next, faithful step,” he believes. “Each Sunday I come to worship with a walking stick and a lantern. The walking stick reminds us that we are on a journey together; the lantern recalls the phrase from Psalm 119: ‘Your word is a light to my feet, and a light to my path.’”

He is a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, which hasn’t been a problem, yet, in St. Louis Cardinal country.

Coordinator of Children and Youth Programs

Sophia Lenora Platz is a former practicum and preschool instructor.

She is currently in college pursuing journalism and political science.

She earned an Associate's in Early Childhood Education in May of 2021 and serves as the Children and Youth Staff for Trinity Presbyterian Church in Springfield Missouri.   

In her role at Trinity she works to provide activities for children in both Worship and Wonder (Trinity’s children's program that occurs during the regular worship service) and Sunday School.

At Trinity her objective is to create a positive learning environment where children learn about Christ.

Choir Director

Robert Reed is the Choir Director at Trinity Presbyterian. He has served in this position since the church began in 2015.

Robert graduated from Missouri State University in 1987 with a BS in Vocal Music Education (K-12). Robert taught vocal music at Willard High School, Cherokee and Pipkin Middle School, and Cherokee, Fremont, Pleasant View and Truman Elementary.

After 18 years in the music classroom, Robert obtained his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Evangel University. He served as Principal of Watkins and McBride Elementary.

During the last three years of Robert’s life-long career in education, he served as the Coordinator of Fine Arts for Springfield (MO) Public Schools where he oversaw K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music and K-12 Visual Arts.

Robert has also served as adjudicator and clinician for local, regional, and state level competitions and honor choirs.

Robert and his wife Sharon have been married for 39 years. They have two sons, Grant and Chandler (Lexi). In 2021, Robert and Sharon began an interior design business, Walnut+Ash Interiors, specializing in both corporate and residential environments.

Director of Communication and Administrative Ministries

The Rev. Alyssa Spradlin serves Trinity through online engagement and “making sure the trains run on time,” providing both pastoral and administrative support on Sunday mornings and during office hours.

She has previously served as the associate minister at Central Christian Church (DOC) in Springfield, and the Director of Advancement at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK.

Rev. Alyssa earned degrees from Phillips (MDiv), Drury University (MA, Non-profit Communication), and Milligan University (BS, Communication – Journalism). She was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2022, and has completed research hours toward a Doctor of Ministry (DMin).

Rev. Alyssa is a member of the Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness executive committee, the Drury School of Religion board, and the board of Ekklesia/ UMHE, the campus house at Missouri State University. She is a former member of the Greene County Domestic Violence Board.

In her spare time she coordinates Tuesday night dinners for Springfield’s unhoused population.

Accompanist

Kimberly Conley has been accompanying worship services since high school and has been part of church music ministries throughout her life.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southwest Baptist University in Missouri and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Gordon College in Massachusetts. 

Kimberly spent seven years in Tianjin, China, serving as a band director, and later ten years in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she was a Program Director for an elementary school as part of a nonprofit ministry.

Relocating to the United States in 2021, Kimberly has been an active collaborator in the local arts community, working with vocalists and instrumentalists in area schools and supporting students in concerts and festivals. She also enjoys playing in pit orchestras for local music theatre productions.

Kimberly and her husband, Patrick, make their home in Springfield with their beloved cat and dog. Together, they enjoy contributing to the B-Street Handbell Choir and taking in as many local music events as possible.