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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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Zach
is a graduate of Central Christian College of Kansas (2005). He
received a bachelor’s of science degree in Ministry with an
emphasis in Youth Ministry. A 1998 graduate from Mattoon high school in
Mattoon, IL, He brings seven 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 is married to Suzanne.
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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 has operated Elm Place
Preschool in her home for 28 years of ministry to children. Jan has a
deep desire to guide children to feel that the Lord is their "Forever
Friend." She has been involved in teaching Sunday School with her
husband and has served as the director of Vacation Bible School and
Market Place. 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 pasttime, as are Christian novels, crafts and planning
activities for children at Church and Elm Place Preschool. Jan
has
been married to Danny for 35 super years. They have three grown
children-Willie, Tim and Sheila; and three grandchildren. Their pet
"Pebbles" is a special part of the family!
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Pat
comes to us with a wealth of experience in the office setting. She was
office manager for Dr. Jon Julian where she worked for three years. For
15 years prior to that, she was secretary to the principal at Lincoln
Elementary School. She and husband, Gordon, have attended McPherson
Free Methodist Church for 27 years and it is where they raised their
children, Bret and Elizabeth. Gordon is the head women’s
basketball at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. Bret is
married and working at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, and Elizabeth
lives in Evergreen, CO and is a certified massage therapist. Pat is a
real people person and enjoys interacting with people of all ages. She
has a servant heart and is always looking for ways to help others. Her
interests, besides her family, include cooking, baking, reading
suspense novels, attending Gordon’s games and playing with
her
Bichon Frise, "Bounce."
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