Meet our dedicated staff

Don Olsen

Senior Minister

The Rev. Dr. Donald Olsen was called by the congregation to become the Senior Minister in October, 2007. Dr. Olsen most recently served as Dean of the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies, the educational Division of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. He also served the Association as an Associate Executive Secretary for the Division for Ministry, the Missionary Society, and the Division for Congregational Church Development. Dr. Olsen was trained by the Alban Institute to provide support and counsel to churches and clergy in conflict. Dr. Olsen is a graduate of: Bethel College, Arden Hills, MN, BA Philosophy and Theology; United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, MN, M.Div. and The Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL, D.Min.

Dr. Olsen has served churches in Manhasset, New York and Lathrup Village, Michigan. Don’s spouse, Penny, is the Executive Director of The Pando Initiative, which connects with students to help them engage and thrive in education and their future. Don and Penny have four adult children, five grandchildren, and one Miniature Dachshund named Abe.

Karen Robu

Associate Minister

The Rev. Dr. Karen Robu began serving Plymouth in April 2011.  She earned her M.Div. from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK in May of 2013 and her D. Min., also from Phillips, in May of 2022. Her doctoral work included writing the play Suffering Church based on stories she collected from people who have left church. Before coming to Plymouth, Karen served for seven years as Director of Children and Youth Ministries for University Congregational Church in Wichita. Karen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. She continues to be involved in theatre and performs and directs shows in the area including here at Plymouth (check out our Fine Arts Series.) Her favorite roles include Emma Goldman in Ragtime, Rose in Gypsy, and Ursula in Disney’s Little Mermaid, all performed at Music Theatre Wichita. Karen has taught courses in theatre and religion for Wichita State University and Bethel College. She lives in Newton with her husband Tim, their youngest daughter, and a number of horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks. Drawn to the “thin places” between the performing arts and the sacred she makes connections between theatre and theology in her ministry. www.karenrobu.com

Henry Waters

Director of Music

Dr. Henry S. Waters is an active conductor, teacher, singer, clinician, and adjudicator. A Mississippi native, he graduated from Millsaps College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a voice concentration and a minor in business, and a Master of Business Administration the following year. While completing his MBA, Henry served Carthage United Methodist Church as Director of Music. Here, he developed a passion for conducting and worship. These passions led him to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where he completed a Master of Sacred Music and a Master of Music, both with emphasis in choral conducting. After SMU, Henry moved to Wichita, Kansas where he was Associate Professor of Vocal Music at Butler Community College. Henry completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting through the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in May 2020 where he was a graduate teaching assistant for Dr. Robert Bode and Dr. Andrew Granade. Henry is currently Director of Choral Music/Associate Professor of Music for Bethel College. 

Chris Shaw

Organist

Christopher Shaw is an active accompanist, organist, guest conductor and recitalist. Shaw joined the Plymouth Staff as organist in the Fall of 2011. He is a graduate of Bethel College (KS) and Wichita State University, holding a bachelor’s degree in organ performance and a master’s degree in music education with an emphasis in choral conducting. Shaw studied organ with Lynne Davis, Roseann Penner Kaufman, Shirley Sprunger King, and Ken Rodgers; piano with Karen Schlabaugh and Karen Andres. During his undergraduate, Shaw did an internship with David Cherwien in Minneapolis, MN, focusing on service playing and hymn arrangements. Shaw also teaches choral music at Goddard High School, where he directs five choirs. The Concert Choir was recently invited to perform at the Kansas Music Educators Associations annual Inservice Workshop.

While working on his master’s, Shaw was the Graduate Teaching Assistant, directing the Chamber Singers and assistant to the Concert Chorale. In 2010 he was nominated for the Outstanding Young Choral Director Award given by the Kansas Choral Directors Association. Shaw previously taught in Hutchinson, Moundridge, and Madison-Virgil. Shaw is a regular performer in the Wichita Metro area and maintains a private organ studio. Shaw is an active member of the Wichita Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, where he has served as the chapter dean and given numerous recitals and workshops. Christopher lives in Kechi, with his husband Erik and their dogs, JD, Baxter, and Tucker.