District Teams

Jim Bushfield is a Conference Superintendent serving the Central District of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. Jim feels called to this ministry of guiding and supporting local congregations and leaders, lay, and clergy, in ministry in their communities – growing disciples, and changing the world. Jim has been an ordained elder serving only in Indiana his entire ministry. He has served local congregations ranging from 15 to 1,500 and then was called to conference-level leadership where he continues to serve today. Jim feels his gifts have enabled him to lead leaders, and, in that way, multiplies the missional impact of the church.

Karen has previously been active in United Methodist Women, including President of the Evansville District and then Vice President in the former Southern Indiana Conference. After her retirement in 2012, Karen was appointed to the IU West Hospital Board of Directors and is additionally serving on the Board of Mental Health of America in Hendrick County. Karen also serves as the Vice Chairman of Otterbein Franklin Community Center. A source of joy in Karen’s life is her five children. She is incredibly proud of each of them and their accomplishments both professionally and personally. Karen cherishes a collection of crosses given to her by parishioners and other, and also her collection of John Deere tractors that remind her of the farm where she grew up.

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.

Chris Nunley is a follower of the Way of Jesus Christ, a husband, dad, Pops (Grandpa), and friend, but also a reader, learner, teacher, and risk-taker. A life-long United Methodist from Lapel, Indiana, Chris has served from the far North (Valparaiso/Crown Point) to Central (Kokomo) to far south (Newburgh/Evansville) and is currently back in his home area in the North Central District. Besides pas-toring large churches, Chris has served camping ministry, provided district lead-ership, led conference teams, consulted churches, and led capital campaigns (both local and state-wide), but his passion isto encourage pastors and churches to fully live out the mission of Jesus Christ in risk-taking and life-giving ways. Chris loves to spend time with his wife of over 36 years on their ongoing adven-tures including hiking, cruising, State Parks, the Holy Land, and especially their 6 grandkids. Additionally, Chris is also a media junkie who enjoys think news, talk radio, reading newspapers, watching movies, and indulging in a bit of reality TV.

Becky Rees was first employed with North Indiana Conference in November 1973, shortly after graduating from Marion High School. Over the years, she has worked full-time, part-time, oron-call for the Conference and took some time off to raise twin daughters and a son. Her husband, David, is the son of deceased United Methodist clergy, Howard Rees. They have seven grandchildren. She attends and is a member at Mt. Olive UMC in Marion. Many evenings she works out at the YMCA or walks in her neighborhood to try and stay fit. She andher husband enjoy traveling and spending time with family.

Larry Whitehead is in his sixth year 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) He is also committed to his work as a member of the Bishop’s Operational Team. 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.

Norman Glassburn is an Associate Conference Superintendent in the North District. He was in full-time ministry for thirty-six years and has been retired for 16 years. Norm enjoys being an interim pastor and has filled over six interim positions. Norm loves to ride the rails and has been on Amtrak trains all over the United States, VIA Rail in Canada, and High-Speed Rail in Europe. Norm is a model railroader and has had some very exciting and enjoyable train layouts. A father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he loves his family!

Dave Neckers serves the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church as the Conference Superintendent of the Northeast District. Dave brings to this position forty years of experience as a business owner, counselor, life coach, executive pastor, and church developer. In his previous position as Director of Church Development, he led a team that consulted and coached pastors and lay leaders in church revitalization and the planting of new faith communities. As a Superintendent, Dave is invigorated by discovering where God is at work and then assisting in bringing that work to fruition. This fulfills his passion to discover, develop, and deploy leaders so that God’s Kingdom is present on earth, just as it is in heaven. Dave received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. For 9 years he invested his energy in a Ford Dealership where he became partner and owner. However, God was at work in his heart leading he and his wife, Darlene, into various ministry opportunities as laity in their local church. Once God’s call was clear, Dave attended Asbury Theological Seminary earning a Master’s of Divinity degree in 1989 and a Master’s of Pastoral Counseling in 1990. Upon graduation, he received his first appointment in the United Methodist Church as a pastoral counselor and was later ordained an Elder in 1995. Dave has been married for forty-one years to his high school sweetheart, Darlene. Together they have two adult children, Jeremy and Shannon, and have three beautiful grandchildren. Dave is a fan of the Buffalo Bills and Ball State University football team. He likes to watch a good suspense-filled movie. He also enjoys landscaping, taking care of his lawn, flower gardens, and those DIY projects around the house. Darlene and Dave’s most favorite activity is spending time with their amazing grandchildren.

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.

John is a Purdue graduate that, during basketball season, you can find in Mackey arena. John and his wife, Marsha, have 3 children and two grandchildren. He comments that, “this grandparent gig is fantastic.” As of recent, he finished training for and completed a certification to become an ICF ACC coach. As an ADS in the Northwest District, he has had the opportunity to use his passion for coaching to help pastors and churches build and strengthen relationships.

Gary Schaar is in his fortieth year of ordained ministry. During those years Gary has served in Indiana as a choir director of a large congregation, as an associate pastor, and as the pastor off our additional congregations of varying sizes. Gary was a member of the Conference staff for eight years and is currently the Conference Superintendent for the South District of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. As a member of the Conference staff, Gary was appointed to be the conflict manager and staff mediator for the Conference. Gary ministered in that position for over five years as he worked with UM congregations across southern Indiana to understand and hopefully resolve, differences within their congregations. He coached congregations to practice loving, respectful, dialogue and encouraging critical conversation. Gary was trained in conflict management at Speed Leas of the Alban Institute and from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. Along the way, he earned his certificate in mediation. Gary received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville on an Interim Ministry track. Gary has taught New Testament in the Indiana Course of Study for local pastors in the Indiana Conference. He has also taught United Methodist Polity at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Gary is married to his wonderful wife, Joyce. Together they have two daughters, one son-in-law, and the cutest, smartest, most handsome grandson, Gary has ever laid eyes on.

Beverly Peery serves as the Conference Superintendent in the Southeast District, which spans from Bloomington to Lawrenceburg, Rushville to Madison, and all the beautiful country in between. Beverly has served as a pastor for over thirty-three years in churches in Indianapolis, Evansville, New Palestine, and Edwardsville. She loves encouraging pastors and hearing about glory sightings in local churches. Bev has been experiencing growth and has developed a heart for issues surrounding justice. Her concern and discernment have culminated in taking action for all of God’s children. Bev has three incredible granddaughters (10, 4, and 2) that delight her daily and keep her laughing.

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. Mitch has lived in six of the eleven Southwest District counties and was once employed in a seventh. In other words, he’s no stranger in Southwest District where he is assigned as the Conference Superintendent. 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.

John Groves fell in love with Jesus Christ as a sophomore in high school. While in college he began serving two small churches in southern Indiana. He brings a desire to build relationships, hear faith stories, and help others to encounter Jesus. John participated in many building projects to remodel churches. He initiated a virtual district office in the Indiana Conference. He enjoys computers and tech gadgets. His wife, Debbie, is a School Corporation Treasurer. He and Debbie have twin sons, Adam and Aaron. His favorite learning statement is “Lord, help me navigate the ambiguity of life with integrity, authenticity, and passion.”