Our Story of Renewal
How Our Story Became Our Mission
We’re Merle and Karen Mees—husband and wife, partners and friends. Together, we have two married sons and three wonderful grandchildren, and family is one of our greatest joys. Merle’s ministry journey has taken him through Texas, Kansas, and Missouri, and he recently served as the Lead Pastor of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri, for almost 19 years. After raising our sons, Karen returned to academic life and became a Licensed Professional Counselor and launched a private practice, helping others walk toward healing and wholeness.
After decades in ministry, we know firsthand how heavy leadership can feel—and how easy it is to neglect your own soul in the process. For us, that neglect eventually led to burnout. Our marriage and ministry became barren, and we had no choice but to find a better way to live. With the help of spiritual directors and supportive friends, we discovered the transforming power of caring for our souls.
That’s how Soul Care Matters was born. What began as our path to healing has become our calling: to walk alongside pastors, leaders, and couples so they can restore their souls, rediscover joy, and lead from a place of wholeness. We believe soul care matters because neglecting the soul leads to devastation, but tending to the soul leads to flourishing. Our passion is to help people live, love, and lead from a healthy soul.
When we’re not investing in others, you’ll probably find us exploring Kansas City’s hidden gems as amateur foodies. We love stumbling upon cozy coffee shops, quaint eateries, and menus with a creative twist.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Our Beliefs
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one Being.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin
and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when he/she is saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his/her life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
The Church is the Body of Christ in the world today. Every member has special abilities (spiritual gifts) in which to serve the body. The local church is an autonomous local body of baptized believers that are under the Lordship of Christ with Jesus at the head. The purpose of the church is to connect people with God and others. This means to connect people with God in worship and a personal relationship of salvation. It also means to connect people in discipleship, fellowship and service. The New Testament refers to the Body of Christ, which includes all believers of all the ages.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrew 11:39-40;1 Peter 5:1-4.
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
