Pastors

We believe that pastors are charged by God with the responsibility to serve as shepherds under Jesus Christ in His church. Their responsibility, as laid out in scripture, is to shepherd, guide, and protect the flock. As overseers, they are to superintend, guard, and provide directive care for the church. As elders, they are to manage, lead, represent, and govern the church. The care that these men show for God’s people is primarily spiritual.

God has blessed Countryside with a group of pastors who are faithful to their God-given call. We are thankful for them and for the grace God has shown in their lives.

Scott Nicoll is a graduate of Calvary Bible College and has been at Countryside since 1990. He was Countryside's first youth pastor and served in that role for 20 years. While pastoring, Scott was also a firefighter for the KCMO fire department for 26 years until his retirement in 2016.

Scott continues to provide pastoral care for the body as a lay pastor/elder visiting those in need, overseeing the funeral ministry, assisting with church administration, and shepherding through preaching, teaching, and discipling men.

Scott and his wife Dori have four children and nine grandchildren. Scott enjoys spending time with his family, going on hikes with the love of his life, riding ATVs, traveling, and watching most sporting events.

Otto Skoog first was introduced to Countryside in the early 1990s. As an atheist, Otto was convinced of the futility of religion and denied the validity of God's Word. Through discipleship and the hearing of consistent preaching, God did a miraculous work in his life. As he came to Christ and grew rapidly, it was evident that God was calling Otto into service as a pastor. Upon receiving theological training at Calvary Bible College, Otto was brought on staff as Countryside's first Associate Pastor.

Currently, Otto serves as the associate pastor overseeing and teaching our Bible Institute, guiding our men's and women's ministries, and teaching a dynamic class to our college student and young married adults. He is married to Krista and enjoys grilling and spending time with his two children, their spouses, and his first grandchild.

Philip Johnson grew up in western Nebraska and trusted Christ for his salvation at a young age. While in college, he was involved in various ministries at his local church and began to pursue ministry. In January 2020, Philip was brought on staff at Countryside as a pastoral resident to lead the student ministry. He was officially installed as a pastor of Countryside in May of 2021. Philip graduated from Cornerstone Bible Institute in 2012 and Calvary Bible College in 2016 with a degree in Biblical studies. It was during his time at Calvary that Philip met Stephanie (Dietzel) and started attending Countryside. Philip and Stephanie were married in 2016 and have four children.

Joshua Johansen began serving Countryside Church as a pastor in June 2025. He is preparing for the mission field as he is prayerfully awaiting becoming a missionary to Mozambique, a Portuguese speaking country in southeastern Africa. He is married to Emma and they have three children. He has a Masters of Divinity from Baptist Bible Seminary.

Roger Johansen came to Countryside with his then-fiancée Crystal in 1991. While serving in the church, Roger finished a graduate degree from Calvary Bible College. Countryside sent the Johansens to Brazil as church planters in 1994.

Roger has been church planting in northeast Brazil. His work began in the city of Maceio on the eastern coast. For 15 years, Roger planted multiple churches and trained pastors and church leaders to shepherd those local assemblies. These churches today are active and growing under the leadership of those national pastors. After much prayer and seeking the Lord, Roger moved his family and ministry of church planting to the city of Aracaju in 2019. He is currently seeking to replicate the kind of church planting and deep personal investment of training national pastors and leaders of these new assemblies.

While serving, Roger earned degrees from Clarks Summit University, Northland University, and Carolina University. This has opened opportunities to train future pastors around the globe. Roger has five children and four grandchildren. He continues to be supported on staff at Countryside as a church planting missionary.

Deacons

We believe that deacons are called by God and confirmed by the local church to serve the body. These men care for the physical needs of God’s people.

God has blessed Countryside with a group of deacons who faithfully serve our church members. Deacons serve on one of three focus teams: Building & Grounds, Body Needs, and Finance & Budget.