Northwest District

Rev. Lore Blinn Gibson

Rev. Lore Blinn Gibson met Jesus as in infant, carried by her parents to be baptized at Star City [United] Methodist Church, where she began her ministry by playing piano and working with children. There she was trained to think outside the box, work hard, and be a team player. Experiences in marching band, choirs, and teaching middle schoolers were the doors God used to invite her into pastoral ministry. After working with local pastors on several District Committee on Ministries and teaching Course of Study, Lore developed a passion for equipping and empowering licensed local pastors and small churches to do whatever it takes to follow the Spirit in transforming lives to become more and more like Jesus. When not driving around the Northwest District in her blue super-mobile, Lore maybe found painting, walking the family dog (Kitty), trying to coax interesting plant life out of the Lafayette clay,learning about and creating art, and history. She’s a proud Winamac Warrior, Indiana State Sycamore, Duke Blue Devil, and adopted Lafayette Jefferson Broncho and above all, a grateful United Methodist who highly values the connection. Lore married Randy, who currently works in medical research for Cook and teaches college ethics. They are the parents of Maia, a UIndy student and soon-to-be teacher, and James, a student at Lafayette Jefferson High School.

Rev. George Purnell

George A. Purnell was born and raised in Vincennes, Indiana.

George graduated from DePauw University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts and went on to complete graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C., earning the degree Master of Public Administration in 1973.

From 1974-1987, George worked for the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. While working full time George attended Christian Theological Seminary part time, from 1981-1986, graduating with the Master of Divinity.

In 1987, George was ordained a United Methodist Deacon and, in 1989, he was ordained a United Methodist Elder.

George served three congregations during his active ministry, all for eight years. He served the Pittsboro UMC from 1987-95, Evansville Aldersgate UMC from 1995-2003, and Bloomington First UMC from 2003-11. George then served as the Superintendent of the Southwest District, from 2011 to his retirement, on June 30, 2016.

During his years as an active clergyman, George was awarded two honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees: from the University of Indianapolis in May 2005, and from DePauw University in May 2008.

Since July 1, 2021, George has been serving full time in retirement. He is appointed ¾ time to Evansville Centenary UMC, and ¼ time as the Associate DS for the Southwest District.

George lives in Evansville with his wife, Joyce.

Eva Goeb

Eva Goeb has worked as a paralegal in many settings, including governmental compliance for an international ministry. As one who enjoys learning and growing, she has earned her Insurance Producer licenses and SHRM-CP HR certification. Most recently, she worked for a mortgage company in customer service. Eva enjoyed over 20 years as a Sunday school teacher and was a youth group leader and VBS volunteer. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown kids and 7 grandkids. In her spare time, she loves glamping, being outdoors, reading, playing board games and spoiling her two dogs and two cats.

Andrea Lantz

Andrea has loved God and followed Christ most of her life.  She was raised mainly in Wabash, IN with a few years living in MN.  It was while in MN that she became connected with the United Methodist Church.  Through the prayers and mentoring she found in UMC churches in MN and in Christ UMC in Wabash, she finally gathered the courage to say “yes” to God’s call to ministry.  

Andrea is an ordained elder in the United Methodist.  She has pastored several churches in Indiana with many of them being rural churches.  Andrea is currently the pastor at Woodlawn UMC in Somerset, Indiana. While pastoring, Andrea is also serving as the Associate DS of rural ministry development for the NW District.  

Andrea is married to Chris Lantz, also an ordained elder in the UMC.  Together they live in Huntington, IN and have three children, Madeleine, Isaac, and Nathaniel.  Andrea loves spending time with her family.   She is often found having adventures or reading books with her children.  She also enjoys board games, jigsaw puzzles, and hiking.   

Karen Bray

Karen has served in pastoral ministry for the past 22 years. She is committed to guiding people toward a more profound and meaningful relationship with Christ. Karen’s interest in spiritual formation led to her doctoral research in the field of Contemplative Prayer and Meditation. She enjoys using this research in resourcing others with opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal.

Karen has been married to her husband Mike for 42 years. Together, they have raised three daughters who are now grown and the parents of their eight grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and watercolor painting.

Cindy Schrader

Cindy Schrader is a former Sales & Marketing Executive, Church Resource Consultant, and was most recently certified as a Missional Coach and Fresh Expressions Pioneer Coach. Her passion is to help churches renew, refresh, and reinvent their ministries and share God’s love more purposefully and effectively

Branden Scott