Meet Our Staff

Our church & leadership is defined by our obedience to Christ. We have a strong desire to see people come to Christ, to be individuals who make disciples, and to see churches planted and revitalized around the world. 

  • Brian grout

    lead pastor

    Brian came to The Church at Three Trails in March of 2013, after spending 11 years in youth ministry in Texas and Missouri. He desires to see Three Trails be a strong influence in the city of Independence and to see the church live out the gospel on a daily basis and be all that God intended it to be, as seen in Ephesians 3:10-11. Brian and his wife, Sarah, have been married since 2000 and have three kids: Ethan, Brooklyn, and Payton. Find him on Facebook!

  • Chris Bailey

    Associate Pastor

    Chris joined The Church at Three Trails staff in May of 2021. He began working in ministry in 1997, serving in many areas, such as worship, connection, operations, and church planter, and senior pastor. Chris grew up in the Kansas City area, graduating from Blue Springs High School in 1991, and is currently finishing his degree in Applied Ministry from Liberty University. Chris has six children, five girls who are grown, and a boy. 

    Chris' heart is to see a revival of Jesus in the hearts of the people of Independence and to see the city become an epicenter of what God wants to do in our county and state! Chris leads the worship ministry at Three Trails and assists operationally to implement systems that help the church function and grow to its full potential.

  • Maria Beach

    Director of Student ministry

    Maria became a member of The Church at Three Trails in 2018. She was born and raised in Iowa, with no intention of leaving (but God had different plans). Maria studied art in college and interned with a local church during her college years, where she felt God's call to ministry. Upon graduation in 2016, she pursued her Master's in Theological Studies at Midwestern.

    After meeting her husband, Joe, she moved to Missouri and together they landed at Three Trails shortly before they got married in 2018. Soon after that, God opened the door for Maria to work in the student ministry. Maria's goal for Trails Students is to prepare the middle school and high school students to go into the world rooted in Christ Jesus and spreading the gospel wherever God takes them after high school. You can friend her on Facebook or follow her on Instagram @missusbeach

  • Sue McMillan

    director of children's ministry

    Sue and her family became members of The Church at Three Trails in 2013. Sue and her husband, Mike, were married in 1996 and have three amazing children: Michaela, Madyson, and Logan. Sue has recently returned to school to pursue a degree in Animal Sciences. Her vision for the children's ministry at Three Trails is to assist families in introducing and growing their child's relationship with God. Sue is excited to be utilizing the Grow curriculum in Trails Kids which enables children of all ages to access their Bible studies at home with their families throughout the week.