Wendy Minshall, Pastor
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About Me: I grew up going to church with my Grandma and attended several different denominations. It was in the United Methodist Church that I learned about grace. Not just that God grants us grace, but that we are supposed to extend that grace to others. I felt called to vocational ministry while attending Woods Chapel United Methodist Church. After a lengthy discernment process, I finally accepted the call and was appointed as licensed local pastor 2013. In 2015 I was appointed to Odessa First UMC and Concordia UMC. In 2017, my appointment was changed to Odessa First UMC and Wellington UMC. I was appointed to Peculiar United Methodist Church in July 2019 and fell in love with this friendly, faithful congregation! I am ever grateful for God’s transforming grace and amazing love.
Family: My husband, Chris Minshall and I were married in 1998. Our family includes Nicholas Fangrow and his wife, Nikki, Christopher Fangrow, his wife, Becca and their little ones, Ryan & Sophie, two dogs- Bella & Bear, and two grand-dogs- Cope & Bailey. I love my family with all of my heart.
Favorite Scripture: I can’t decide! Either Matthew 25:34-46 (Whatever you did for the least of these, you did it for Me…) or Psalm 139:1-18 (O Lord, You have searched me known me…)
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? I LOVE how friendly everyone is and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the church sits between two schools and opens it’s doors to the youth!
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Erin Johnston, Executive Assistant/Office Manager
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About Me: I have been a member of Peculiar UMC my entire life! I love this church and the family! I enjoy spending time with my family and serving others! I have worked for the Church since 2011, as the secretary and I love my job! Not many people can say that!
Family: I am married to Corey Johnston and we have 4 kids! We have a Service Dog named Ninja (for our son) and a cat named Remington. We are extremely close to our extended families and are so grateful we have them!
Favorite Scripture: For I will walk by faith even when I cannot see 2 Corinthians 5:7
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? The people!!! We have the most amazing church family! They are hands down the most caring and loving people who love to serve others and the Lord!
Sarah Oliver, Director of Spiritual Connection
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About Me: I grew up at Peculiar United Methodist Church. I was baptized as an infant here, confirmed in my faith, I was married, my 3 children were baptized here and my husband joined the church as well. Peculiar United Methodist church is my home…My Family. A majority of my extended family lives out of state so Peculiar UMC is where I grew up. I do not have many memories that do not include this church or someone from it. I love it so much that I am now raising my family here.
Family: I am married to Kevin Oliver. Our family includes Kenya who works at Power & Light in Kansas City, Kevin Jr who is a sophomore at NWMSU, Kennan who is a senior at Ray-Pec, our fur child Aj (Chocolate Lab) and our fur grandcat (PIP). My immediate family also attends PUMC. My parents, sister’s family and all the PUMC members I consider family!
Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? I love how comfortable the kids, people feel when they come through the doors.
Zach Craft, Worship Arts Director
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About Me: My siblings and I came to know Jesus through family church activities. I was blessed to be in a church let me play guitar and sing for the service. Worship has since been an integral part of my relationship with Christ. I am incredibly blessed and grateful to call this pursuit and exploration of God’s character in melody and song an act of service to the church.
Family: Born in the small town of Butler Missouri to Kelly and Deann Craft; I grew up the middle sibling to my older brother Kris and little sister Lacy. I also have a puppy dawg on the sound team. Her name is Ophie and she loves to lick faces and get belly rubs.
Favorite Scripture: Psalms 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart” – for all the ways I seek to fulfill my heart’s desire none has been more fruitful than by surrendering to the Lord in Love, Service, and the pursuit of obedience to doing His will, not my own.
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? My favorite thing about PUMC is observing and being a part of the people here who truly find Joy in pursuing the character of Jesus. The praise team is a place I go for spiritual refuge. We sing we laugh, we play, and we pray.
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Shannon Bailey, Children’s Ministry Director
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About Me: I’m so excited to be your new Children’s Ministry Director. I am looking forward to getting to know all the students and their families and to teach and grow in our Sunday school classes. I think Children’s ministry is so important in our kids’ lives. I hope to help them have a firm foundation about who God is and to help them grow in their faith. Church has always been an important part of my life. I have helped in Children’s church over the years and have been on a missionary trip to Africa.
Family: I have been married for almost 12 years to Tim Bailey. We have two kids; Anna is 12 and Jacob is 10. We enjoy playing games, swimming, camping, riding bikes, and going to the movie
Favorite Scripture: My favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? I can’t remember when we started attending PUMC, but I think it’s been over 5 years ago. We were looking for an Easter egg hunt to take the kids to and Tim found the invitation on a website at PUMC. We went to the Easter egg hunt and found so much more, our new church home.
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Justine Baron, Student Ministry Director
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About Me: My family and I moved to Raymore in 2019. Before that we lived in Salina, Kansas and that’s where I attended Kansas Wesleyan University and became a Kindergarten teacher. Since having my daughter in 2015, I’ve been a stay-at-home homeschooling momma. We really enjoy swimming, going on nature walks and family movie nights. My favorite hobby is cooking and baking.
Family: Jeff and I have been married for 11 years. We have 3 amazing kids- Jalen is 7, Juliana is 4 and Jamison is 1. My parents, Mark and Michele Gant also attend PUMC. Family is everything to me!
Favorite Scripture: My favorite Bible verse is “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? Everyone is so welcoming and inviting at PUMC. I’ve always known that if I ever needed anything that I could ask and get help or support. I also love all of the staff and always feel a deep connection to Wendy’s messages. I love leaving the church on Sunday mornings with a great feeling in my heart to start a new week.
Jen Inman, Digital Ministry Coordinator
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About Me: I grew up in Topeka, Kansas. I am the oldest in my family, I have a younger brother and a sister. After high school I was a nanny for a year in Overland Park, then attended Baker University to major in Elementary Education. The first semester of my sophomore year I was student teaching in a 2nd grade classroom and was surprised at the amount of time and money teachers spent making sure students had adequate food, clothing, and a safe place to go after school. That experience left an impact on me and so I switched my major to social work thinking that might be an area I could make a bigger impact with children and let the teachers focus on teaching. I transferred to Washburn University to complete my degree, but decided I needed to challenge myself way outside my comfort zone before settling into adulthood, so I enlisted in the Army Reserves. I spent a year on active duty at Ft. Leonard-Wood and Ft. Sam Houston for training as a combat medic and a mental health specialist. After returning to Topeka I worked with the Intake and Assessment team at Shawnee County Mental Health Center where I met an incredibly kind, handsome, engaging young man who worked on the Case Management team. That started my favorite journey yet as a wife and mom!
Family: Rod and I were married in Topeka over 20 years ago, but soon after our second daughter was born Rod returned to active duty with the Army Reserves as a Career Counselor. We have lived in Hutchinson, Kansas, in Tomah, Wisconsin, and in Rineyville, Kentucky before returning to this area in 2013 to be back near our parents and families. I have three children, the oldest being my step-son Miles who lives in Rossville with his mom and is very active in Special Olympics and powerlifting competitions. My middle child is my daughter, Hannah, is preparing to graduate from Pittsburg State University majoring in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis on Autism Studies and Sign Language, and my youngest is Luca, who is enrolled at MCC preparing for certification as a Radiology Tech. We have a lot of animals that rotate in and out of our lives, currently we have one dog, two cats, and a tortoise who fill our lives and home with plenty of fun, love, and fur!
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 and Galatians 5:13
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? I love that our church is open and welcoming to all, that we embrace each other as family, and that we are always looking for new ways to spread God’s word and grace in service to each other, our community, and the world. We may be considered a small church by some, but our love is mighty!
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Linda Pierson, Pianist/Accompanist
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About Me: I grew up in Warsaw, MO. I accepted Christ as my Savior as a young girl. I went to college at Central Missouri State 1University. I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from CMSU. I student taught band at Raymore-Peculiar under the 1supervision of Mr. Rod Young. I student taught band at Raymore-Peculiar under the supervision of Mr. Rod Young. I started teaching elementary and middle school band in the Fall of 1976. The Peculiar Community has been my home since then and the Peculiar UMC family is a very important part of my life. I have always loved playing hymns & I love being the accompanist for both the traditional and contemporary services. Also, I coordinate the church tour group & really enjoy planning events.
Family: I am married to Keith Pierson. We will be married 42 yrs this year. Our family includes Matthew Pierson, a Major in the Army. He is now deployed in Iraq. Jonathan Pierson, his wife Kelsey Pierson, their son, Louis Pierson, and their dog Conway.
Favorite Scripture: Psalm 91:2. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
What is your favorite thing about PUMC? The best thing about PUMC is the sense of caring from the other members of our church. They are so much like family to us.
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