the staff

Ben & Stevie Salmon

Campbell & Tyler Lakatos

Sarah Creasy

I am truly humbled and honored to be able to serve as the Executive Director of Polk County KLIFE. My heart is that students would come to know the saving power of Jesus, and be continually transformed by that same power of the Gospel. Thank you for taking time to view our website and get to know us a little more. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have ANY questions or concerns.

I was born in Kirksville, Missouri way back in 1991, and I could not be more proud to be a “90’s kid.” I spent most of my life in Hermitage, Missouri, where I graduated high school. Through the grace of God, I ended back up in Kville, or the North Star of Missouri, for college at The Truman State University. While at TSU I volunteered 4 years with Kirksville KLIFE, and I graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance. I am beyond excited for my 7th year as a director at PoCo KLIFE!

On August 16, 2014 I married the love of my life, Stevie Salmon (she’s the good looking one in the picture). She is truly a woman who seeks hard after the Lord and she spurs me on to love and good deeds more than any other person. Stevie graduated SBU with a B.S. in Exercise Science and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (yes, she's a doctor). Her heart is to see women come to be secure in who God made them to be and see Godly mentorship throughout the ladies of KLIFE. We have added Malakai Robert and Spencer Grace Salmon to Team Upstream! They are the absolute best.

Humbly in Christ, Ben

I am so excited to watch God work in the lives of students in the Bolivar community and I am prayerful that He would use Tyler and I in ways that we could never even imagine!

I am from Kansas City, Missouri (Go Chiefs and Royals!) I graduated from Smithville High School and then headed to SBU. At SBU I played basketball for two years, volunteered with KLIFE for three years, and graduated with a degree in Christian Ministries as well as a minor in Business. After graduating from SBU I spent a year at the Kanakuk Institute where I studied God’s Word and built a foundation on my beliefs based on Scripture. In my free time I love watching sports like football and basketball, playing ping-pong, and hammocking with Tyler

On August 30th, 2020 I married my beautiful wife, Tyler Marie Lakatos! God has truly blessed me with an incredible woman of God. Tyler is compassionate, loving, and empathetic girl who points others to Jesus and makes me better everyday! Tyler also went to Smithville High School and graduated from Evangel University with a degree in Elementary Education.

- Campbell Lakatos

Hello! I have the incredible opportunity to serve as the Development Director for Polk County KLIFE! I am originally from Nevada, Missouri and attended Southwest Baptist University where Bolivar became my home. I volunteered with PoCo KLIFE during my time at SBU and graduated with a dual bachelors degree in Organizational and Strategic Communication and Christian Studies in May of 2022.

I knew I was called to ministry but didn’t know where God was leading me quite yet. Little did I know, He had a place for me at Polk County KLIFE! I’m so thankful that I have this opportunity to serve in a ministry that I love and have seen God working so faithfully through. I have a heart for helping people find their place in the world and getting them connected in community. What better place for that than to help students find a place where they are loved and accepted… a relationship with Christ! In my free time you can catch me at any game cheering on our students, attempting to make a new gluten free recipe (iykyk), playing volleyball, or at a coffee shop with one of my small group girls. If you see me around town please say hi! I would love to meet you!

- Sarah Creasy