Welcome to the official website of Pete DeGraaf, Kansas State Representative, District 81.

Pete is known by many as “Doctor Checkbook.” He has a heart for people and spends most of his time counseling families in financial distress. He also serves as Founder and President of Shepherd’s Staff Ministries, Inc., a ministry dedicated to helping people manage their finances according to the principles found in God's Word. Over the last twenty years, Pete has helped 1000’s become financially free. He sells NO investment or insurance products and highly guards his ability to provide uncompromised, confidential, financial counsel. As a gifted teacher he has spoken at various businesses, churches, and other civic organizations located throughout the mid-west, California, Texas, and Japan. He has also trained and oversees over 120 volunteer budget counselors.

With three children in college, Pete and his wife Karen understand the realities of money management. They and their children; Simeon (23), Caleb (21), Titus (19), and Anneke (17) are remodeling an old farmhouse just east of Mulvane. Karen uses her organizational skills and gift of administration through weekly service at the Mulvane Care & Share and serves on their Board.

Born in Holland, Pete became an American citizen at the age of eight. Both he and Karen were raised in California and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While in the Air Force, he flew helicopters in Alabama, New Mexico, and Japan. Because of an intense desire to help equip people to handle money from God's perspective, in late 1986 they left their Air Force careers and moved to Wichita, Kansas to be mentored by George and Marjean Fooshee. From 1987 through 1991 he served as Area Director for Crown Financial Ministries and still serves on the Wichita Area Team. Besides becoming ordained in 1990, Pete also passed the six-part Certified Financial Planning (CFP) exam. For five years he served as an Associate Pastor at Faith Community Church and is currently involved in Jesus the Good Shepherd’s Church. In 1991 he served as Executive Director for Hope for the Heartland and helped start HopeNet, a ministry dedicated to helping women in need. Besides running his own business for 10 years, Pete has served as Vice President on the Wichita Area board of Habitat for Humanity and has taught Personal Financial Management at Cowley Community College.

Politically, Pete has served as the Chairman of the Sumner County Republican Central Committee. Currently he is the Gore Township Precinct Committeeman and the 81st District Representative to the Kansas House.