Kiel and Cortney Pankonien joined Trinity Baptist Church in October 2023 and shortly after, Kiel was called as Youth Pastor. Kiel and Cortney have been married since December 2004 and have one son, Brody. Kiel spent 18 years at Garland ISD as the Security Operations and Emergency Management Coordinator. After years of dealing with kids at their lowest moments, Kiel was determined to make a difference in the lives of teens to be able to help them manage the daily drains of life, seeing the hope that only Jesus can offer. Kiel currently attends Liberty University Online in the Wilmington School of the Bible/Biblical Studies program. He loves spending time with family on the lake or in the woods and watching his son in the Rockwall HS Orange Wave Band. His desire is to make disciples of the next generation, to spread the Great News of Jesus with lifelong impacts, preparing them for college and beyond.