Staff

Julius C. Trimble

Bishop Julius C. Trimble was assigned July 16, 2016, to the Indiana Episcopal Area (Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church) by the 184 delegates of the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church meeting in Peoria, Illinois. He was elected and consecrated a bishop by the same jurisdiction in 2008 and served eight years as the bishop of the Iowa Conference before his assignment to Indiana.
Trimble is a native of Chicago and a graduate of Illinois State University. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill., and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio.

He was ordained a deacon and elder in the Northern Illinois Conference where he served two churches before transferring to the East Ohio Conference. He served churches in the Cleveland area and as the District Superintendent of the Cleveland District from 1996-2003.

Recipient of many honors and awards, He received the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1998 from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the 2007 Bishop James S. Thomas Social Action Award from the Methodist Federation for Social Action at Lakeside, OH. He continues to promote faith-based response to domestic violence and has encouraged the establishment of mental health ministries at the local church and conference level. He is also an active advocate for social justice, faith-based initiatives to address gun violence, as well as immigration reform. Trimble has preached throughout the United States and in Africa. He has also written a book, to support The United Methodist Church campaign Imagine No Malaria, A Faithful Church and a Healthy World: Reflections and Poems by Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble (2015). Trimble received 2015 Peace and Justice Award from Iowa Conference MFSA. In December 2017, he was the Graduation Keynote speaker at United Theological Seminary Dayton, Ohio, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity for leadership in area of Global Health and Global Justice.

Trimble has been married since May of 1978 to First Lady Racelder Grandberry-Trimble, a professional counselor and graduate of Methodist Theological School in Ohio. They are the parents of three adult children: Cameron, Candiace, and Julius Thomas.

Trimble’s personal mission statement is “to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential or “Be Encouraged” for short. 

Rev. Larry Whitehead

Larry Whitehead serves as Executive Assistant to the Bishop & Director of Connectional Ministries. Prior to taking this position, he served six years as Conference Superintendent assigned to the North District and has also served for two years as Dean of the Appointive Cabinet. Bringing a strong emphasis on missional strategy, Larry offers a consistent message to churches and pastors to abandon survival efforts for the church and to instead, discover vitality in a focus on giving ourselves away to connect people to the message of Jesus Christ (Mark 8:35). While energized for ministry as a Conference leader, Larry loves to recharge by traveling and kayaking with his wife Susan and sharing family activities with the families of their 5 adult children including 2 grandsons.

Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright

Rev. Dr. Aleze M. Fulbright is an ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church. She is a person of conviction in living a personal mission to encourage, equip, and empower all people to live on purpose and live out their God-giveness. Dr. Aleze’s greatest joy in life is her son, Myron Fisher Jr., who is a Middle School Math Educator and Basketball Coach in Wichita, Kansas. Additionally, she enjoys fellowshipping with family and friends, while also connecting with the community through her civic and sorority involvement. Another joy is serving alongside the laityand clergy around the Central District, where we strive to be Christ-Centered, Community-Connected, and Missionally-Centric.

Rev. Shannon Stringer

As the Director of Leadership Development, Reverend Shannon Stringer draws on more than 25 combined years of leading in education, ministry and staff supervision. Shannon’s personal educational background includes a Master’s in American Government with an emphasis in Constitutional Law and a Masters of Divinity and Ordination in the United Methodist Church. As an educator Shannon was awarded the US Congressional Recognition of Excellence in Education, the Coaching Excellence Award from SCORE, Coach of the Year two different years from the Fontana, CA Chamber. In her pastoral ministry, Shannon served three churches before moving to conference staff.She currently lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Dave, and their two dogs.

Rev. Mitch Gieselman

Rev. Mitchell C. (Mitch) Gieselman has served churches across the Indiana Conference in various capacities since 1974; including Evansville Old North, Rushville St. Paul’s, New Castle First, Plainfield, Hanover, Mt. Vernon First, and Evansville Aldersgate UMC. While his energies focus on being the Chief Missional Strategist of the district, he does so through the particular lens of justice, having been intensively engaged in justice ministries and interfaith dialogue over the past decade. When the demands of being a part of the Extended Cabinet team allow, Mitch escapes into his preferred pastimes of golf, fishing, reading, crossword puzzles, watching baseball, and camping. He is also an avid follower of John and Charles Wesley’s footsteps all over the world. Additionally, he is involved in campus life at the University of Evansville and has lectured, taught in adult education courses, and volunteered in numerous capacities, and served as Chapter Counselor for Sigma Phi Epsilon, a social fraternity for male students. Gieselman received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Evansville in 1978 and Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in 1981. He is married to the Rev. Dr. Tamara K. Gieselman, also an Elder in the Indiana Conference. The couple has three adult children: son, Cory Gieselman; and daughter, Dana (Lucious) Wagner who live in Evansville and both work for Old National Bank; and son, Jordan (Jennifer) Gieselman, a graphic designer who lives in Bowling Green, KY. The Gieselmans also have five grandchildren: Sydney, Rhyan, Sophie, Malik, and Hakeem who reside in Evansville.

Rev. Russ Abel

Rev. Russ Abel has been passionately following Jesus most of his life. A native of southern Indiana he has found great joy in serving the northern part of the state for the past 13 years. Russ has served as a parish pastor since 1992. He began serving in his new appointment as Conference Superintendent for the East District of the Indiana United Methodist Conference July 1, 2019.

Growing up in a working-class home, Russ holds deeply the values he learned in that home and strives to remember his roots. He also is very thankful for his military service, Air Force, which helped awaken him to the beauty and blessing of diversity.

A graduate of Indiana University and Christian Theological (Magna) and inducted into The International Society of Theta Phi (an honor society for theological students). Ordained in 2000, he continues to be blessed, humbled, and excited by opportunities to serve Jesus. He is most passionate about helping people unlock the story of Jesus in their faith walk.

Russ and his wife have two children, Emma and Sam.
Russ is committed to his beautiful family and looks forward to his firmly growing through two weddings (Chad and Alyssa) in the next four months.

Rev. Dr. In Suk Peebles

Rev. Dr. In Suk Peebles serves as the Conference Superintendent of the Southeast District. In Suk served for 21 years in the United States Air Force Reserve (air national guard) as a chaplain, retiring in 2019 as lieutenant colonel.
She holds degrees in English and Literature from Woosuk University in South Korea and Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. She has finished her coursework for a Doctor of Ministry degree, also at Christian Theological Seminary, and will receive her DMin later this year.

In addition to serving parishes across the state, In Suk has served on the Indiana Conference Finance and Administration, the South Indiana Conference Board of Pensions, and the Indiana Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

In Suk is married to David, an attorney, and they have two children, Sunny and Faith. She is a self-proclaimed “news junky” on global affairs and enjoys “healthy discussions with my husband while reading the Sunday New York Times and Wall Street Journal after Sunday morning worship (and a nap).”

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. Saneta Maiko

Saneta Maiko, Ph.D. is a former John Templeton Research Fellow with Indiana University School of Medicine (2017-2019). His clinical research investigated the role of spirituality and religion on the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of metastatic cancer patients. An experienced ordained clergy of the United Methodist, Dr. Maiko is the founder and former executive director of Crime Victim Care of Allen County (Amani Family Services), Chaplain Researcher at Indiana University Health. Dr. Maiko has many years of serving churches and teaching gender and diversity management at Purdue University. He is a respected leader in training Intercultural Competence for Law Enforcement, Social Agencies, Businesses, and Healthcare Systems. Dr. Maiko is Nationally licensed as an Intercultural Development Qualified Administrator and is nationally board certified as a healthcare chaplain. Dr. Maiko is a recipient of several honors and awards. He has authored a book and several articles in medical, leadership, chaplaincy, and youth journals. He is married to Beatrice. They are both blessed with three daughters and a son.

Rev. Dr. Marti Lundy

After serving local churches in the Indiana Conference for 28 years, Rev. Dr. Marti G. Lundy now serves as the Conference Superintendent of the North District. She is a native of Columbia City, IN and a lifelong United Methodist. Marti holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University, a Master of Divinity from Garrett-ETS, and a Doctor of Ministry from Portland Theological Seminary (formerly George Fox Seminary). Rev. Dr. Lundy has served the Conference in many capacities, some of those include: Chair of Board of Camps and Conferences, Chair of the NE DCOM, and the Committee on Episcopacy. Rev. Dr. Lundy is married to the Rev. Dr. Kent A. Lundy, who serves in extension ministry at the 181st Intelligence Wing, Indiana Air National Guard, Terre Haute. They are the proud parents of Josh, a US Air Force Combat Veteran and full-time member of the 122d Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne and Nathan, a full-time law student at Indiana University McKinney Law School in Indianapolis. Fun fact, she sang the National Anthem at a Cubs game while in college and was a torchbearer for the Indiana Bicentennial for Whitley County.

David Robinson

David Robinson joined the Indiana Conference office in December 2021. He has 30 years of finance experience in not for profit and the public sector. Most recently David served 10 years as the CFO of an Episcopal Diocese.
He began volunteering in his church at an early age and was appointed assistant church treasurer at nineteen while in college at Xavier University. David enjoys teaching church finance. He has written articles and led several national workshops on church administration.

He jokes his formation began watching the deacons at his Baptist church and now has a career in church work. He has mused writing a book on church administration citing stories from ‘those old deacons’.

When not at work he sings in a community gospel choir. He and his wife like to travel with their children to sporting competitions .

Heidi Harding

Heidi Harding has worked with the Conference for over 20 years, gaining experience in budgeting, church finances, and clergy taxes. As the Associate Director of Financial Services, she leads the finance team in its daily operations at the Conference level. She is enthusiastic about assisting churches in their financial journey; be it transitioning to new accounting software, understanding clergy taxation, or working with year-end reporting. Heidi has a son in the Army and is a proud grandmother. Outside of the office, Heidi enjoys kayaking, hiking, and camping.

Emily Krach

Emily Krach is a part of the Leadership Development team, specifically working with emerging leaders. This also includes working closely with adults who support young people.She is a veteran youth leader with a passion for empowering and developing leaders of all ages for the sake of the next generation of the church. She attended Huntington University for her undergrad in Youth Ministry and Indiana Wesleyan University for her Masters in Organizational Leadership. Currently, she is also a mentor for young professional women through the Edge Mentoring program. Emily has been a part of the United Methodist Church all her life and is a native Hoosier now residing in Fort Wayne where she can have her nieces and nephews in her home regularly. She finds great joy in walking her dog (Bear), exploring parks, and sitting near a body of water.

Britt Leslie

Britt Leslie is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church with about 10 years of pastoral experience, having served in urban and rural congregations. He does not currently serve in a local congregation, but spends his time teaching in adult education. He has a PhD in New Testament, a ThM in bible, a Masters in Theology and a Masters in Divinity. He has taught at Manchester University in North Manchester, IN; at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH; and at South University’s Online Doctor of Ministry program. He has been teaching Bible courses in Course of Study at United Theological Seminary, Methodist School of Theology in Ohio, and the Indiana Extension COS since 2011. He is also the director of Local Pastor Education for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2018. He lives in Lafayette, IN with his wife, who serves as Sr. Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, and their dog.

Luska Natali

Luska came to the United States from Brazil in 1988 with her family. Since that time, she has volunteered at a large number of churches as a music librarian, drama ministry leader, Hispanic ministry church planter and interpreter. She has also taught Sunday school classes to high schoolers, college agers, and women.

Luska has three sons, Thiago, Andre, and Lukas, as well as 10 grandsons. Her daughters-in-love add the right measure of sweetness to the mix of energy and craziness that comes from having a family of 13 guys.
From a very young age, Luska developed an interest and love for foreign languages and cultures, and she is fluent in English, Portuguese (native tongue) and Spanish, with the ability to interpret and translate. She is a member of the American Translators Association (ATA). She has a Bachelor’s and Master ’s degrees in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, and an Education Specialist degree (EdS) from Liberty University. She also completed all the coursework for a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at Liberty University (dissertation not completed).

Luska enjoys time with family, taking pictures, traveling, writing devotionals, editing, dining out, going to the movies, volunteering, mentoring, teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), networking, knowledge-sharing, writing letters with confetti in them, and teaching her grandchildren about Jesus.

Michele Phillips

Michele Phillips is the Associate Director of Leadership Development Ministerial Services. She was born and raised in Indiana and has been a United Methodist from birth. The UMC is where she developed her love for serving God and serving others. Michele graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics and brings over 30 years’ experience working in administration and management. She has spent over 20 years working and volunteering in the local church. Michele is a mother of two adult daughters, Mackenzie and Aliza, two grand dogs (Lulu and Tessie) and is soon to be a grandmother. She resides in Fort Wayne with her husband and enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, volunteering at the theatre and spending time outside during the summer months. She has a passion for Health and Wellness and has obtained her certification as a Health and Nutrition Coach which she uses to coach others so that they may live their healthiest life.

Emma Bennett

Emma Bennett serves as the new intern for the Children Matter Most initiative. She is a senior at Indiana University studying Accounting, Finance, and Law/Ethics. Originally from New Jersey, Emma will be moving out to Chicago in the summer of 2022. Currently Emma volunteers at the Middleway House. Working with children has always been a passion of hers, which is part of why she is so excited to join this team. She look forward to helping with the various goals and initiatives of CMM and hopes to make an impact throughout her time here.

Nick Yarde

Nick Yarde has a deep connection to the Camping Ministry. It was at Junior High camp that he solidified his faith. While finishing his Master’s degree in Natural Resources Agency Management at Purdue University, Nick served as a youth pastor at Battleground UMC. After brief stays at Lincoln and Turkey Run State Park, Nick returned to full-time ministry as the Director/Manager of Camp Rivervale. Prior to becoming the Association Director of Camp in the North Indiana Conference, Nick and his family were hosted at Camp Indicoso and Camp Lakewood. Currently, Nick serves as the Associate Director of Camps and Retreats Ministries. His wife, Nanette, has served along of him in each role at the various UMC camps while raising their three children.

Emily Burkhart

Emily grew up in New Albany, IN, where she attended Main Street UMC. After high school, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington where she majored in Non-Profit Management in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. While there Emily completed an internship with Outdoor Ministries in the South Indiana Conference. Post graduation, Emily worked for the March of Dimes in Lexington, KY. In 2010 she moved to Indianapolis and began work with the Indiana Conference, moving into the role of Camp Registrar in 2011. As Camp Registrar and Finance Assistant, she strives to make camp registration a smooth process for everyone and to help people find the site that best suits the needs of their camper or retreat group. She is passionate about advancing camp attendance and has been since her days as a camper when she invited friends to attend with her. Emily and her husband, Chris, were married in 2006. They have a four-year-old son and a dog who thinks she’s a person. In her free time, Emily enjoys watching the Indianapolis Colts and “NerdyTV.” She co-hosts a Bible study in her home and is a part of the mom’s group at Center UMC where she attends church. Emily has volunteered as a counselor for a week of senior high camp at Indicoso since 2005 and a few years later became one of the co-directors for that event.

Roscel Carandang

Roscel S. Carandang serves as Conference Assistant for the Annual Conference in the Administration and Financial Ministries Team. She brings with her more than 30 years of administrative experience, in addition to many years in event coordination, media coordination, Web development and design, graphic design, fund development, community organizing and ministry outreach. Always interested in making this world a better place for the growth of God’s kingdom, she volunteers and supports many local not-for-profits from women/family/homeless shelters, feeding the hungry, environmental concerns to animal rescue.

Born in the Philippines and a lifelong Hoosier, Roscel comes from a very large, close-knit Filipino family. She says she attributes her deep love for the Lord from being taught to lead a prayerful life by her grandmother and mother. She is aware that all her talents are God-given and is excited to apply them to promote ministry at the Indiana Conference in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She lives daily by this Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Jonathan Gerber

Jonathan Gerber, MBA, has worked in the Finance and Accounting industry for over 10 years and has expertise in asset management, accounting, and financial analysis. Prior to working in Finance and Accounting, Jonathan was a Human Resources Manager in the United States Navy for 4 years. As a seasoned Financial expert, he is passionate about advancing both professionally and personally; in the Fall of 2021 he Graduated from Butler University with a Master’s of Business Administration Degree with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. He is constantly striving for excellence in all aspects of his career and is passionate about helping the Conference in moving discontinued churches, parsonages, and other real estate. On a daily basis Jonathan enjoys reading the Wall Street Journal as well as other various periodicals relating to real estate, finance, and accounting. In Jonathan’s free time, he can be spotted as a captain of an ice hockey team teaching other adults how to play hockey and on the golf course attempting to score pars.

Doug Anderson

Doug Anderson is a retired United Methodist clergy who served under appointment for 48 years. During that time he served several growing churches of various sizes as well as twice being appointed as a District Superintendent. Doug was the founding Executive Director of the Bishop Rueben Job Center for Leadership Development for 15 years. He is a member of the Academy for Spiritual Formation of the Upper Room. Currently, Doug serves as an associate director for Church Development of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church and also as Transitional Lead Pastor of The Promise United Methodist Church in Fishers, IN. Doug and his wife Jan, have been married for 46 years and have lived in the Muncie area for 25 years. They have 4 children and 9 grandchildren who range from 4 to 21 years old. Doug and Jan enjoy time with their family, specifically the grand kids activities, traveling to historic sites, playing and watching baseball, basketball, and football, playing board and card games like euchre, sudoku, Sorry, Farkle, Quixx and many more. Additionally, Doug and Jan spend time with friends, shopping, watching TV and movies, reading, cooking, and eating out.

Randy Anderson

Randy Anderson serves as the Associate Director of Church Development and Associate District Superintendent for the Southwest District. He has been an ordained Elder in the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1985. During his tenure, Randy pastored in local churches until 2016 when he was appointed to the Conference staff. Randy works directly with the Church Development team, primarily focusing on redevelopment of smaller congregations. Randy and his wife Julie have 4 adult sons, a daughter by marriage, and two wonderful grandchildren (a boy and girl) who light up his world. Randy loves to travel, fish, and watch sports with his boys.

Ed Fenstermacher

Ed Fenstermacher is a lifelong United Methodist layman who has served as Associate Director of Church Development for the former North Indiana Conference and Indiana Conference since 1995. Ed lives with his wife, Marlene, in Fort Wayne and is an active member of Covenant United Methodist Church. In his position with the Conference, he leads Church Development’s Multiplication Team, which focuses on helping churches start new faith communities and Fresh Expressions. Over the years, Ed has been a delegate to many General Conference and Jurisdictional Conference sessions. He presently serves on the Discipleship Resources board of directors (a General Church agency), and he chairs the board of directors of the Upper Room Ministries. Ed is also an ICF-certified coach and has a passion for helping leaders and churches reach their fullest potential for fruitful ministry. His greatest passion, however, is serving Christ and helping develop a multiplication movement within the UM churches of Indiana. Ed is active in his local neighborhood association and co-chairs his church’s Mission & Outreach Team. He enjoys playing racquetball, reading, working crosswords, gardening, and water and cross-country skiing. He and Marlene, a diaconal minister, have three adult sons and live in a 120-year-old home that they’ve renovated near downtown Fort Wayne.

Brenda Gross

Brenda Gross joined the Indiana Conference Office as a Conference Assistant on January 4, 2010. She has almost 40 years of administrative experience gained from working in many different fields, ranging from airline maintenance to advertising. Currently, she assists the Church Development Team and deals mostly with the IMPACT and ADAPT programs. She is a graduate of the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and is an avid Boilermaker sports fan. Her husband, Abbey, works for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance as a field underwriter. They have two adult children, Amanda, a Physical Therapist, and Jackie, an attorney. She is a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.

Anne Hayton

Anne Hayton has been employed by the Indiana Conference since 2010 and her current positon is Accountant. Anne has a long work history with churches, including Presbyterian, Christian, and Lutheran where she has been a Bookkeeper, Assistant to the Controller, and Finance Administrator. Anne holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix and specializes in stream-lining archaic processes with modern practices and is also known for her attention to detail.

Anne feels she has been able to use her previous experiences working in church offices as a way to relate to Treasurer’s at the Indiana Conference, knowing that many are volunteers and not full-time paid staff. She is always eager to help them in any way possible.

Anne is a lifelong member of Connection Pointe Christian Church and is an active small group leader in Student Ministries. She has been leading her current group since they were in the 6th grade and now they are seniors. Anne’s passion is to help mold and create strong Christian Leaders for the next generation.
Anne’s claim to fame is being an “extra” in the movie Hoosiers when it was being filmed in her hometown of Brownsburg, Indiana. In her spare time Anne loves to be outdoors, spend time in her woodworking shop, and taking short weekend trips with her husband of over 26 years.

Elsie Miller

Elsie Miller began her career with the former South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2004. She was hired as a contract worker entering data in the Conference database. After being asked to join the Conference team permanently, Elsie worked with leaders in Church Development, missions, ministry, and database management. Currently working as a business analyst for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, she is relied upon to maintain the non‐financial side of the Conference database, answer procedural questions, and work with software designers and programmers. Elsie is proud to call Indiana home and enjoys spending time with family and the great outdoors.

Ruth Ellen Needler

Growing up in the Mt. Olive United Methodist Church, Ruth Ellen Needler regularly attended our church camps. From her first experience at Camp Lakewood to dedicating her life to Christ at Camp Adventure to experiencing fun and community with her youth group at Epworth Forest, the camping ministry holds a special place in her heart. Shortly after graduating high school, Ruth Ellen started working for the former Northern Indiana Conference and it was especially meaningful when she became the camp registrar a few years later helping other campers and their parents attend our life-changing church camps. For over 40 years, Ruth Ellen has worked for the former North Indiana Conference and has continued that service for the Indiana Conference.She is currently the Associate Director for Administrative Services. While raising 3 sons, Ruth Ellen and her husband became very involved with sporting activities from running their local Little League baseball organization top residing over high school football parents to organizing concession stands for all sports. After their sons graduated high school, they continued cheering from the sidelines watching them play football and baseball at the college level. In her spare time, Ruth Ellen enjoys remodeling homes with her husband, watching sports, traveling and spending time with friends and family – especially her granddaughters.

Laura Santos

Laura Santos joined the Indiana Conference in May 2011 as a part-time Conference Assistant with the Administration team. She also assisted the BOOM, Church Development, Camping, and Financial teams. She currently works with the Finance team in Accounts Payable. Laura was born in the Philippines and holds a BS in Elementary Education. She came to the United States in 1973 with her husband and two sons. She worked as a Claims Adjustor with Fireman’s Fund, Aetna, and Liberty Mutual before her retirement in 2008.

Lisa Timmerman

Lisa Timmerman has been employed by the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church since May 2005. In the late 1990’s, she served the area office part-time entering data. Currently, she enjoys overseeing the online registration process. She is married and has three children. Lisa enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Matt Wolf

Matt Wolf attended Indiana University in Bloomington and graduated in 2003 with a B.S. in Business with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems. Upon graduation from IU, Matt spent 17 years as the Technology Manager for the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana.

In 2015, Matt helped to found Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, and now serves as the board president of the charter school.

Matt and his wife, Nikki, have been married for 20 years and have six children. They live in Gosport, IN, and attend Gosport United Methodist Church. In his free time Matt enjoys hiking, working outdoors, and spending time with family.

Pamela Lane

Pamela Lane came to the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church with about 15 years of experience in the field of Human Resources and Billing. Her home church is Emmanuel Church in Greenwood. She lives in Franklin, IN and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 22 years; together they have a 10-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. She spends her time taking her kids to various activities, serving her local church in both children’s ministry and their online campus, reading, and baking. Her favorite color is yellow.

Angela Byrd

Angela was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Angela attended the University of Cincinnati where she obtained a degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. Angela has worked as a Benefit Administrator since 2010. Angela is married and currently resides in Cincinnati Ohio with a loving Pitbull named Ace.

Charlie Rownd

Charlie Rownd is a graduate of The Ohio State University. In April, 2012, Charlie retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with over 24 years of investigative experience. Prior to his transfer to the FBI’s Indianapolis Division in 1998, Charlie worked in the Detroit, Michigan and Springfield, Illinois Field Offices. Charlie supervised the White Collar Crime program, Safe Street Task Force program, and the Field Intelligence Group program while assigned to the Indianapolis Division. In 2009, Charlie was designated the FBI’s case agent for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl. Charlie came on board with the Conference in 2012 to provide leadership and instruction on issues of security, risk management, and policy development.

Destiny Cochran

Destiny Cochran is the new HR Generalist. She comes to the Indiana Conference with 15 years of experience in identifying the needs of executives and elected officials. Born and raised in Indiana, Destiny’s childhood was spent in the church and was involved in the worship and prayer teams. Destiny holds a degree in Psychology from Indiana University.

She is the mother to a vibrant, academically-driven teenager who is involved in theatrical arts. Her hobbies include writing, painting abstract art, and reading.

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson joined the Indiana Conference Office in February 2023. He has non-profit experience and 14 years of United Methodist Church financial administration experience in Nashville, Tennessee. Robert grew up in Evansville, IN as a member of Methodist Temple UMC. He graduated from Emory University (Candler School of Theology) with a Master of Divinity degree and Belmont University with a Master of Accountancy degree. Robert and his wife, Meg Lassiat, live in Westfield IN. When not working, he enjoys hiking, running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

David Johns

Kim Arnott

Scott Reed

Kathie Clemenz

Stant Clark

Terry Tolliver

Kurt Schoch

Chris Mahon

Tricia Williams

Tiffany Tolbert

Denise Parker

Wendy Malone

Lynn Nelson

Dan Weirich

Ginger Booker

Janee LaFuze

Rob Pfaff

Janet Werle

TBD

E. G. White

Kathleen Dickman

Betty Hart

Derl Littrell

Kate Biggs

Lisa Trigg

Grant Crumbaugh

Grant was raised as a Catholic till 1999 and feels blessed by the blind, unshakable faith he acquired there. Since then he has been partying with the Methodist church! He values his relationship with Jesus above all else. He met Shannon Sutton in the spring of 1998 at Camp Wahsega in the North Georgia Mountains. After 6 years of friendship and persistence, he convinced her to marry on January 4, 2004. Shannon loves everything Southern, reading, and is an amazing mother. They celebrate their three kids; Nāla, Sutton, and Tucker. Nāla loves working with animals, especially those we do not intend to eat. Sutton is a lover of all things creative. She enjoys the woodshop and craft room. Tucker is still young enough to challenge expectations and thrive in chaos. Grant has worked at a camp in one way or another every year since 1988. He has personally experienced the life change camp has to offer. He has been the Camp Manager at Pine Creek since the Fall of 2014. He continues to come alongside many others to enhance the discipleship efforts there, and across mission opportunities.

Karen Hand

Karen’s passion for ministry in a camp setting can be traced back to her childhood in Michigan. She spent significant time following her pastor father around, helping as he served as a regular volunteer at Hastings Camp. She attended kids camp, family camp, teen camp and any other camp that was being offered as she grew up. Her first paid camp job, cleaning bathrooms at night, came at the age of 14. This allowed her to serve as a camp counselor each summer during high school. She continued to gain experience working at a YMCA day camp and resident camps in Michigan and Illinois. Also, she worked for 12 years with at-risk children and teens for an agency in the Chicago area, managing the day camp, resident camp, and after-school and weekend recreational programming for more than 200 kids. In 2006, she followed God’s call for her to serve in camp ministry for the INUMC. She had been a camp manager at both Pine Creek Camp and Camp Lakewood. In the fall of 2020, Karen was asked to serve as the manager to oversee Program and Guest Services for Epworth Forest CC and Camp Adventure. When she is not busy with camp, you can find her with a camera in hand capturing the beauty of life and its everyday joys.

Sara Daniels

I grew up in Syracuse, IN just 10 minutes from Epworth Forest not knowing what was happening on that campus. I spent most of my childhood as a girl scout and camping family and one summer as a staff counselor at camp. I graduated from Indiana Tech with a Computer Information Systems degree and married my college sweetheart. After a short time in the business world, I realized that I was not designed to work inside so journeyed back home to work for the family business, excavation. After the birth of my two daughters and 15 years in the construction world, God called me into full time ministry. My faith journey included directing family camp at Lakewood for 3 seasons, 2 seasons of Upward Basketball Director at Saint Joseph UMC in Fort Wayne, 9 years as the Student Ministries Director at Saint Joseph UMC, 3 years as Next Generation Director, member of Children Matter most since March 2020, countless retreats and hours of camp counseling at Epworth for high school and middle school campers. I look forward to many more adventures. My outdoor loves include kayaking, high ropes, and hiking.

Tanner Ginder

Tanner Ginder is rooted in the traditions of Camp Lakewood, and now is the Camp Manager there. Having attended Camp Lakewood as a kid, returning as a volunteer counselor and director, then working on summer staff Tanner is passionate about the mission of outdoor ministry for elementary aged students. Prior to becoming the Camp Manager, Tanner graduated from Indiana University with a degree in elementary education which he used to teach 3rd grade for two years in Fort Wayne. Through his time in teaching, Tanner felt a calling to vocational ministry which he hopes to use to pour out the love of Jesus Christ to all who come on site in the years to come. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and writing, being with friends and traveling the world.

Chris Kindelsparger

I am a Fort Wayne native that never left. I am a member of Covenant UMC and was a youth director for 15 years. I loved every moment of it! I have two grown sons, 23 and 26 and a wonderful daughter-in-law. I help run a food bank in my neighborhood which keeps me pretty busy along with my new job with the camping ministry. Jesus has been my first love for over 30 years and a big part of my life from day one. I love the outdoors, having coffee with friends, being on a lake, and hanging out with my family and cat.

Vince Pattengale

Pam Tedrow

Pamela Tedrow brings seventeen years of youth ministry, thirteen years of social service experience, and over twelve years in property management to her position at Camp Rivervale. Driven by a sense of urgency to bring children and youth to Christ, Pam has dedicated much of her life to children and youth ministries in southern Indiana. As a camp manager, alongside her husband Steve, Pam’s goals include providing a safe, nurturing place for children to hear the Gospel message, finding and mentoring leaders for the future, and building relationships with the local church. Pam has committed this season of her life to maintaining the facilities, grounds, and programs at Camp Rivervale. In addition to her primary job functions, Pam serves on the children’s ministry team at her church, directs a Royal Family Kids Camp for children in the foster care system, and is continuing her education through Bethel Seminary in Family and Children Ministry. Pam considers her most important discipleship efforts to be those used while raising three children and now impacting the lives of her four grandchildren.

Jen Hudson

During Jen’s years of serving in the local church as Director of Christian Education and Children’s Ministry Director, her passion centered around building teams to further the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. She found it very rewarding to invite people into ministry, provide them with significant resources, and create rich environments for effective ministry whether with children or adults. In 2012 the Fruitful Congregation Journey began Jen’s work with Church Development as she served on consultation teams. As an Associate Director of Church Development, she was a part of the creation team for ADAPT and is now serving as the program’s coordinator. She currently resources Church Development coaches and connects with pastors to revitalize churches through ADAPT and IMPACT. Jen is the wife of Pastor Micah and the mother of Emily, Elijah, and Ella. With an overloaded van, a tent, and a dreadful amount of bologna, their family has adventured through many national parks and 49 states.

Sergio Reyes

Sergio Reyes is a native of Mexico and has lived in the United States since 1987. Sergio has been serving as Associate Director of Church Development for the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church since 2011. Sergio’s passion is evangelism, starting new faith communities, and raising church planters. Before joining the United Methodist Church and beginning in 1998, Sergio was involved in church planting in the following cities of Indiana: Logansport, Lafayette, and Monon. Sergio is the founder of Iglesia Cristiana Getsemani UMC, which he has been serving since 2005 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sergio and his wife, Janie Reyes, have four daughters. Sergio loves to spend time with his family.

Darlene White

Darlene White has worked in the Administrative industry for 12 years, gaining valuable experience in the NICU at Riley Hospital, IU Methodist Hospital in the Labor and Delivery unit, and in the Executive Leadership office at IU West Hospital. Darlene was hired by the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2014 to serve as a Conference Assistant assigned to the Connectional Team and Leadership Development Team. Currently, Darlene serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Bishop. Outside of the office, Darlene is passionate about Health and Fitness, as well as spending time with her two wonderful children and her amazing husband.

Rev. Mike Warner

Rev. Michael Warner is the Director of Clergy Care Services for the Annual Conference. In this capacity, he provides clergy and their family members with confidential and free pastoral care conversations, coaching sessions, or assistance with locating a therapist. The creative and robust service offered by Clergy Care Services was recognized as a best practice by the denomination and featured in a nation-wide documentary. Prior to taking on this role, Mike served 29 years as an Air Force chaplain, where he provided pastoral leadership and pastoral care for thousands of military personnel and their families. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mike likes to engage in outdoor activities with family and friends, such as boating, hiking, and snowmobiling.

Serena Acker

Serena is married to Jonathan, and they are active members of Common Ground Northeast. In her free time, Serena enjoys running and shopping for shoes.

Katie Swisher

Katie has worked with the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2007. She began with the Indianapolis East District in the former South Indiana Conference, then with the West District, and now as the Communications Specialist. Katie is from Indianapolis and was raised in a loud, loving, musical family. She loves photography, cooking, music, and reading, and always enjoys getting together with friends. Katie is married to Matt, an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. She serves on the leadership team for Thrive, the INUMC clergy spouse and family ministry. Katie and Matt have two delicious, blonde, miracle children named Hannah and Henry. The Swisher family enjoys spending time outside, baseball, taking walks, swimming, and watching hours upon hours of Bluey and Star Wars.

Noah Maxwell

Noah serves the United Methodist Churches of Indiana through the role of Social Media Specialist. Graduating from Indiana University with a major in Media and Video Production. Noah aims to use his craft to spread the message of God to as many as possible utilizing the internet as the messenger. In his spare time, Noah enjoys to get outside of the comfort of his own home and see what life has to offer. He can often be found on a hiking trail, at the gym, reading a long novel, or spending quality time with his family and friends.

Leanne Ketcham

Leanne grew up in a small Wesleyan Church in Wisconsin where she was nurtured in the faith and answered a call to ministry as a teen. She holds a Bachelors in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University and an M.Div from Princeton Theological Seminary. Leanne is currently waiting to defend her doctoral dissertation focused in homiletics through the University of Toronto. As a Content Specialist, pastor, and preacher, she is passionate about telling the story of what God is doing through all mediums.
Leanne is married to Andrew, and together they have a daughter, Chloe, and a fluffy goldendoodle. In her free time, Leanne enjoys sewing and reading.

Elyse Garverick

Elyse is a creative with passions for writing and food. She loves traveling, hiking, reading, and rewatching Gilmore Girls. She and her husband live in Nashville, Tennessee with their two dogs, Mika and Dobby. If they’re not out finding a great restaurant, you can probably find them at home playing board/card games.

Roscel Carandang

Roscel S. Carandang serves as Conference Assistant for the Annual Conference in the Administration and Financial Ministries Team. She brings with her more than 30 years of administrative experience, in addition to many years in event coordination, media coordination, Web development and design, graphic design, fund development, community organizing and ministry outreach. Always interested in making this world a better place for the growth of God’s kingdom, she volunteers and supports many local not-for-profits from women/family/homeless shelters, feeding the hungry, environmental concerns to animal rescue.

Born in the Philippines and a lifelong Hoosier, Roscel comes from a very large, close-knit Filipino family. She says she attributes her deep love for the Lord from being taught to lead a prayerful life by her grandmother and mother. She is aware that all her talents are God-given and is excited to apply them to promote ministry at the Indiana Conference in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She lives daily by this Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Rev. Annettra Jones

Annettra is an ordained elder who has a key role in leading in partnership with the Conference Task Force for Dismantling Racism and the Conference Commission on Race and Ethnicity, as well as guiding the response to the motion passed at the 2020 Annual Conference to develop a strategic plan that demonstrates our commitment to anti-racism and to actively dismantling systemic institutional racism in the INUMC.

Annettra leads the Conference’s inclusion, diversity equity and anti-racism efforts and is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), a tool being utilized to equip leaders to develop their intercultural competency.

Since 2019, Annettra has served as Associate Pastor at West Lafayette St. Andrew UMC. When she’s not reading or listening to a book, she enjoys spending time with her children playing board games, and religiously observing Taco Tuesday. She is also the proud nana of her first grandson, Isaiah.

Rev. Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner, although raised a United Methodist, first became keenly aware of God’s presence in his life while a teenager on a “Work Camp” trip to the backwoods of Kentucky during which he participated in building a log home for a young widowed mother and her baby. In working with and helping this family, who couldn’t help themselves, he experienced God’s presence in a truly tangible way and from that moment knew that the purpose God had for his life was to be in ministry beside others, serving others. Paul, an experienced pastor, has served twenty-seven years in Indiana Methodism in various capacities including, serving on the Board of Ordained Ministry and various District Committees for 16 years, as the lead planner of the Worship Service for Commissioning and Ordination at Annual Conference, and as a District Youth Director. Along with his current position as the Assistant to the Director of Connectional Ministries for the Conference, Paul serves as the pastor of Edgewood UMC in Indianapolis bringing together the unique experience of local church ministry and institutional ministry. He was ordained a Deacon in 1991 and Elder in 1993. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Church History, giving him valued insight and interest in collaborating with our Conference Commission on Archives and History, along with a Masters of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. His experience, training, and personality have provided him with tremendous skills for managing details and diverse tasks, making him a meaningful part of our Conference staff. He believes that, “We are much more powerful as the people of God when we unite our resources, knowledge, and passion in ministry together.” He’s excited about being a member of our Indiana Conference Connectional Ministries Team. As a self-described baseball fanatic, Paul participates in a Fantasy Baseball League, plays softball, has coached many youth and adult softball teams, enjoys attending Indianapolis Indians games — and of course roots for the Major League Angels, “as any good Christian should”. He’s currently writing an interactive book which tests how well the reader would succeed as a baseball manager. When he’s not involved following baseball, he’s found with his wife watching movies, hiking trails and cooking – creating many of his own recipes.

Rev. Jen Huff

Rev. Jen Huff is an ordained deacon who has served in different areas as youth minister, director of children’s ministries including after school programs, childcares and preschools, and in the role of associate pastor through the years. She is also working on her certification as a ministry coach. Jen is excited to serve at the conference and district levels because she believes the connection is important, especially for local churches. Jen’s immediate family includes her husband John who is an ordained elder, their three beautiful children, and their goldendoodle puppy. When Jen is not equipping disciples to serve others through Jesus’ love, she is keeping up with her kids, trying new restaurants, and watching movies. From time to time she enjoys getting to camp and travel to the beach.

LaToshia Everson

Tosh Everson is the Administrative Assistant for Diversity, Missions, & Justice Ministries. After spending over 15 years working in Higher Education, Tosh is excited to be a part of the INUMC. She has dedicated herself to justice and equity work in her hometown of Greencastle, where she serves on the executive team of the NAACP as well as other community organizations that are focused on cultural development and equity.

Tosh is a part of the leadership board at her church, Gobin United Methodist, and loves singing with the worship team. Her passion for anti-racism education has led her to organizing work with local community organizations, churches, and elementary schools with the ongoing goal of helping others realize our shared humanity and connectedness. In addition to her extensive work in education, she also works with the unhoused population in Greencastle and is an advocate for the disabled through her work with Putnam County Comprehensive Services. Tosh is passionate about social activism, community service, and building relationships.
Tosh holds a BA in Communications from DePauw University

Joel Troxell

Before joining the Leadership Development team, Joel Troxell graduated from Tri State (now Trine) University with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He worked for over 15 years in social services, doing everything from juvenile residential treatment, case management, program administration, information and analysis, and senior-level organizational management. After feeling a call to pastoral ministry, Joel served via Pulpit Supply and as a Licensed Local Pastor for 6 years. He worked to encourage parishioners to connect and commit more deeply to Jesus Christ through Christian spiritual formation and contemplative spirituality. He is married to Ember Troxell, a licensed mental health counselor, and between the two of them they have seven children and three grandchildren.