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Deborah Somerville
Senior Pastor
Pastor
Deborah Somerville is the product of a Free Methodist parsonage, where
she early on came to know and love God’s design for His
church. She completed her undergraduate studies at Spring Arbor
University in 1976 and worked in educational and church environments
while she and Karl raised a family. She was ordained an elder in
the Free Methodist Church in June of 2003 and completed the Master of
Arts in Leadership and Ministry degree from Greenville College in
2005. With her husband Karl and family, she has gained a deep
appreciation for the Free Methodist Church as they have lived and
ministered in various capacities in the Free Methodist college towns of
Spring Arbor, Michigan, North Chili, New York, and Greenville,
Illinois. Most recently, she served as Executive Pastor in
Greenville under the leadership of Rev. Doug Newton, senior pastor and
editor of Light and Life magazine. Karl and Deb have two
children: Ryan (wife Amber, son Aiden) who lives in a
northwestern suburb of Detroit; and Courtney (husband Paul) who lives
in Jersey City, New Jersey. Deb enjoys music from all genres,
follows the St. Louis Cardinals obsessively, and is thankful for the
recently confirmed health benefits of chocolate.
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Dallas
received a bachelor’s degree in local church ministry from
Central Christian College of Kansas in 2004. Besides his work as a
worship leader, Sunday school teacher, and youth volunteer during
college, he also spent a year-and-a-half after graduation as an intern
pastor at Hope Community Church in Emporia, KS. Dallas served as
Associate Pastor at Northwest Free Methodist Church in Wichita, KS for
2 years, where he headed up small group and Sunday school ministries
among other duties. He was ordained an elder in the Free Methodist
Church in 2008, and is currently working on his M.A. in Theology at the
Colorado Springs campus of Fuller Theological Seminary. Dallas
and his wife, Jerilyn, enjoy singing and playing music together,
reading, and writing. They have also discovered that they both like old
furniture, and at least the idea of restoration and remodeling projects.
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 Rebekah Neighbors
Minister of Worship Arts
Rebekah
is a 2005 graduate of Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK.
Although her Bachelor's degree is in English with a literature
concentration, God called her into worship arts ministry during her
senior year. Rebekah has been involved in numerous choirs, symphonic
bands, and worship ensembles throughout her life and has always had a
passion for excellent music as an offering to God. Her instruments of
choice are her voice, the piano, and the bass clarinet. She interned at
a church in Oklahoma City and then served as a worship arts director in
Edmond, OK for nearly four years. As her appreciation for artistic
styles and expressions runs deep and wide, she strives to create a
varied approach to worship that includes rich traditions and meaningful
new forms-all done with excellence! Promoting harmony in spite of
strong preferences is Rebekah's deep desire, as people from all walks
and stages of life unite in worship as the body of Christ. Along with
her experience in music and worship, Rebekah is a confirmed Anglophile
who loves the history, culture and literature of England. In her free
time she enjoys reading, watching movies (especially period films), and
catching up with friends. Rebekah and her husband, Jason, have two
young children, Merris (2004) and Owen (2007).
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Zach
is a graduate of Central Christian College of Kansas (2005). He
received a bachelor’s degree in Ministry with an emphasis in
Youth Ministry. He is currently working towards a Master’s degree
in “Youth Ministry Leadership” at Huntington University,
and he was ordained as an Elder in the Free Methodist Church in 2008. A
1998 graduate from Mattoon High School in Mattoon, IL, Zach brings over
ten years of youth ministry experience. With a desire to know God and
make God known, Zach strives to share his love for Jesus with the youth
of today. Zach is an accomplished dramatist and musician. In his spare
time you can find him reading, playing chess, or watching movies. Zach
and his wife Suzanne have one son (Isaac) and a golden retriever
(Linus). Zach and Suzanne consider it a privilege to open up their home
and lives to the youth of McPherson.
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 Jan O'Dell
Children's
Ministries
Jan
graduated from McPherson College in 1972 with an Elementary Education
degree and a minor in Early Childhood. She operated Elm Place Preschool
in her home for 28 years of ministry to children prior to becoming full
time Children's Ministry Director. Jan has a deep desire to guide
children to feel that the Lord is their "Forever Friend." Children are
our future and their spiritual growth is vital in the young ones.
Children's hearts are eager to learn and grow. Children are woven deep
in Jan's heart and mind. Children's books are a favorite pastime, as
are Christian novels, crafts and planning activities for children at
church. Jan has been married to Danny for 37 super years. They have
three grown children-Willie, Tim and Sheila; and four grandchildren.
Their pet "Pebbles" is a special part of the family!
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Carmen
comes to us with a wealth of experience in the administrative area.
Carmen worked as a teacher, Coordinator, and Principal in Mexico at the
American Institute of Monterrey and as well as a Kindergarten Teacher
at the American School of Brasilia in Brazil. Carmen considers
McPherson her home base. She was actively involved in the church youth
group during high school. Carmen is a real people person and enjoys
interacting and helping people of all ages. Her interests include
traveling, cooking, reading, and enjoying a nice conversation with a
friend over a cup of coffee.
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