Shelby Wheat

I originally became ordained online because, during some difficult and transformative seasons in my own life, I found myself growing much stronger in my relationship with God and building a more solid foundation in my faith. Those experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for love, commitment, grace, and the importance of having people around you who truly support and uplift you. As my faith grew, so did my desire to be part of meaningful moments in other people’s lives.

I was born in North Carolina to a Marine family before moving to Kansas when I was about 18 months old. I spent my earliest childhood years in the Stanley/Stillwell area until I was around 5 years old, and then spent most of my childhood and early adult years in Overland Park and Lenexa. Now, as an adult, I’ve built my life in Southeast Kansas. Growing up in different communities gave me a strong appreciation for connection, family values, and the importance of supporting the people around you.

With my online ordination, I hope to help couples celebrate one of the biggest and most meaningful commitments they can make to one another. I truly love love, and I think there is something incredibly special about two people choosing each other and promising to build a life together. Being able to facilitate and officiate those moments in a way that feels personal, genuine, faith-centered, and full of care would be incredibly rewarding to me.

While I identify with Christianity and have Baptist affiliations, my personal approach to faith is rooted more in love, grace, and building a genuine relationship with God than in rigid judgment or perfection. My faith has become especially important to me through difficult seasons in my own life, and those experiences strengthened my relationship with God and helped me build a stronger spiritual foundation.

I believe faith should be approachable and centered on compassion, humility, and loving your neighbor. I do not believe anyone is a “perfect” Christian, and I think one of the most important parts of ministry is meeting people where they are in life while encouraging them with kindness and understanding.

Although my beliefs are Christian and faith-centered, I strive to approach others with an open heart, empathy, and respect for their individual journeys and backgrounds. I want the ministry and services I provide to feel welcoming, authentic, supportive, and focused on the values of love, commitment, grace, and community.

I think what makes my ceremonies special is the genuine care and intention that I would bring into each one. I never want a ceremony to feel rushed, overly scripted, or focused on putting on a show. I truly appreciate the simple things in life, and I believe that at the end of the day, the most important part of a wedding is the couple, their love for one another, and the commitment they are making together. Everything else is secondary.

I believe a ceremony should reflect the personalities, values, faith, and love story of the two people standing in front of each other making that promise. My goal would always be to create an atmosphere that feels authentic, warm, meaningful, and personal rather than overly formal or performative.

My own journey of strengthening my faith during difficult seasons of life has given me a deep appreciation for love, grace, perseverance, and the importance of having a strong foundation in a relationship. Because of that, I would approach every ceremony with compassion, encouragement, and sincerity. I want couples to feel supported, celebrated, and fully present in the moment rather than feeling like they are just checking off a formality.

I also truly love love. I think there is something incredibly meaningful about two people choosing each other every day and publicly committing to building a life together. Being trusted to guide such an important moment is something I would never take lightly, and I would strive to make every ceremony feel simple, heartfelt, memorable, and authentic to the couple’s story.

I’m based in Southeast Kansas, and this is where I currently live and serve most often. I really appreciate the slower pace and close community feel of this area, and I tend to gravitate toward meaningful, down-to-earth ceremonies like backyard weddings, small venues, and local church settings. I am also open to barn weddings, farm venues, and larger outdoor celebrations. I really enjoy those settings because they still keep things grounded and personal while allowing for a bigger celebration with family and friends.

I grew up in the Kansas City metro area, including Overland Park, Lenexa, and the Stanley/Stillwell area, so I am also very familiar and comfortable traveling throughout that region.

I primarily serve Southeast Kansas and the Kansas City metro area, but I am open to traveling to surrounding areas as well depending on the couple and the ceremony. At the end of the day, the location is not what matters most to me. What matters is the couple, their story, and the commitment they are making to each other. I am always willing to talk through travel details and do my best to make their day possible and meaningful.

One thing that is especially important to me in ministry is leading with love rather than judgment. I believe in meeting Jesus and God where you are in life because there is no such thing as a perfect Christian. We are all flawed and imperfect people, and that is one of the reasons Jesus died on the cross for us, not because we are perfect, but because we are human and in need of grace.

I believe faith should come from a place of compassion, understanding, and love instead of criticism or condemnation. My goal is never to judge others, because I truly believe it is not my place to do so. I would rather focus on loving my neighbor, supporting people through different seasons of life, and creating spaces where people feel accepted and cared for.

I also come from a very humble background, which has shaped the way I see and treat people. I try to approach others with empathy, authenticity, and an open heart because everyone has their own story, struggles, and experiences. I want the services I provide to reflect those values by being welcoming, genuine, faith-centered, and focused on the importance of love, connection, and commitment.