Pastor Gary DeWitt, a graduate of St. Paul School of Theology, entered the pastoral ministry in 1991 and has seen significant growth in all churches he has served. He has been senior pastor at Ashland since June of 2008, bringing to our ministries his emphasis on being and making disciples of Jesus Christ. Gary grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri, where he received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration. Gary and his wife Tere enjoy playing bridge and watching Kansas City Chiefs football. They have two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth.

Pastor Gary DeWitt, a graduate of St. Paul School of Theology, entered the pastoral ministry in 1991 and has seen significant growth in all churches he has served. He has been senior pastor at Ashland since June of 2008, bringing to our ministries his emphasis on being and making disciples of Jesus Christ. Gary grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri, where he received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration. Gary and his wife Tere enjoy playing bridge and watching Kansas City Chiefs football. They have two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth.

Pastor Tere DeWitt is starting a new career in professional ministry. Tere has taught math and science for over 25 years and is excited to be able to answer God's call at Ashland UMC, working in partnership with her husband, Gary. While Gary was a "townie" growing up in Warrensburg, Tere grew up on the family farm riding horses and fishing with her grandparents. A lifelong Methodist, she has been especially active in youth ministries, hospitality ministries, and mission work. At Ashland, her areas of emphasis are Radical Hospitality, Intentional Faith Development, Marriage Ministries, Member Care, and Fellowship Ministries. For fun, Tere likes to read mysteries, putter around in her flowers, and watch NFL games; of course the Chiefs are her favorite team.

Pastor Tere DeWitt is starting a new career in professional ministry. Tere has taught math and science for over 25 years and is excited to be able to answer God's call at Ashland UMC, working in partnership with her husband, Gary. While Gary was a "townie" growing up in Warrensburg, Tere grew up on the family farm riding horses and fishing with her grandparents. A lifelong Methodist, she has been especially active in youth ministries, hospitality ministries, and mission work. At Ashland, her areas of emphasis are Radical Hospitality, Intentional Faith Development, Marriage Ministries, Member Care, and Fellowship Ministries. For fun, Tere likes to read mysteries, putter around in her flowers, and watch NFL games; of course the Chiefs are her favorite team.

Kathy has been working with children at Ashland for about 9 years. She takes care of all things to do with children from birth to fourth grade including Mother's Day Out program. It is her responsibility to recruit and train the Sunday school teachers and Spirit Junction teachers for the children's classes. She is also responsible for Vacation Bible School, working along side a volunteer director and co-director each year. She also works with a volunteer director on the Children's Christmas program. Kathy works with the Children's Ministry Team to plan special events during the year such as Trunk or Treat, Holiday Workshop, and Pastor's Egg Decorating Day. She also takes care of Attendance Recognition and Bible Blast for third graders. Kathy oversees the nursery staffing for Sunday and special events. When Kathy is not here working with children you can usually find her with one of her four daughters. She loves to garden, cook, scrapbook and read but most of all spending time with her family.

Kathy has been working with children at Ashland for about 9 years. She takes care of all things to do with children from birth to fourth grade including Mother's Day Out program. It is her responsibility to recruit and train the Sunday school teachers and Spirit Junction teachers for the children's classes. She is also responsible for Vacation Bible School, working along side a volunteer director and co-director each year. She also works with a volunteer director on the Children's Christmas program. Kathy works with the Children's Ministry Team to plan special events during the year such as Trunk or Treat, Holiday Workshop, and Pastor's Egg Decorating Day. She also takes care of Attendance Recognition and Bible Blast for third graders. Kathy oversees the nursery staffing for Sunday and special events. When Kathy is not here working with children you can usually find her with one of her four daughters. She loves to garden, cook, scrapbook and read but most of all spending time with her family.

Adrian joined the Ashland staff in October of 2009. A graduate from Missouri Western State University in 2005 with a Bachelors degree in Vocal Music Performance, he has been a sales associate at Home Style Furniture the last four years. He has also served in youth, college age, and children's ministries at Grace Evangelical church the last 11 years. Adrian has a strong passion for music and loves to lead others in worship. Adrian believes that the youth need a strong, positive model to look up to and one who will grow them in their walk with Christ. He loves building relationships with the youth and their parents so that they can walk through this journey together. Adrian loves to play basketball, football, golf, Wii, watch movies, and hang out with friends. Adrian is married to his beautiful wife, Ashley, and both have grown up in St. Joseph. Adrian is very blessed to be apart of this great ministry and is excited about all that God is growing and changing here at Ashland.

Adrian joined the Ashland staff in October of 2009. A graduate from Missouri Western State University in 2005 with a Bachelors degree in Vocal Music Performance, he has been a sales associate at Home Style Furniture the last four years. He has also served in youth, college age, and children's ministries at Grace Evangelical church the last 11 years. Adrian has a strong passion for music and loves to lead others in worship. Adrian believes that the youth need a strong, positive model to look up to and one who will grow them in their walk with Christ. He loves building relationships with the youth and their parents so that they can walk through this journey together. Adrian loves to play basketball, football, golf, Wii, watch movies, and hang out with friends. Adrian is married to his beautiful wife, Ashley, and both have grown up in St. Joseph. Adrian is very blessed to be apart of this great ministry and is excited about all that God is growing and changing here at Ashland.

Shaun has been the Director of Music and Worship Arts at Ashland since May of 2004, directly after earning his B.S. in Vocal Music Education with a performance emphasis from Missouri Western State University. He is responsible for all church programs related to worship, music, and worship arts. This includes directing the Chancel Choir, Bell Tones handbell choir, and SonLight praise band. With the support of a worship concept team, Shaun is charged with designing and organizing each of Ashland's worship services. Other areas he is in-charge of is the Ashland Ministry Players drama team, the Audio/Visual technology teams, all special events and concerts hosted by Ashland, as well as being the webmaster for the new church website. Outside of Ashland, Shaun is a former director of the Voices of America, frequent soloist with the St. Joseph Community Chorus, and frequent performer with the Robidoux Resident Theatre company as well as a member of the board of directors. In December of 2009, Shaun completed his M.A. degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. When not working or singing, you can find Shaun usually running, following sports, and in general having a good time.

Shaun has been the Director of Music and Worship Arts at Ashland since May of 2004, directly after earning his B.S. in Vocal Music Education with a performance emphasis from Missouri Western State University. He is responsible for all church programs related to worship, music, and worship arts. This includes directing the Chancel Choir, Bell Tones handbell choir, and SonLight praise band. With the support of a worship concept team, Shaun is charged with designing and organizing each of Ashland's worship services. Other areas he is in-charge of is the Ashland Ministry Players drama team, the Audio/Visual technology teams, all special events and concerts hosted by Ashland, as well as being the webmaster for the new church website. Outside of Ashland, Shaun is a former director of the Voices of America, frequent soloist with the St. Joseph Community Chorus, and frequent performer with the Robidoux Resident Theatre company as well as a member of the board of directors. In December of 2009, Shaun completed his M.A. degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. When not working or singing, you can find Shaun usually running, following sports, and in general having a good time.

Alma began as Assistant Treasurer for Ashland in December of 1979 so, then current treasurer, Minor Calloway, could become a snowbird during the winter months. She served in this capacity until June of 1982 when Mr. Calloway suffered a heart attack and passed away. She has been serving as treasurer since then. Her title has changed over the years: treasurer, financial secretary, and now director of fiscal ministries. Her husband, Frank, has endured (with much love) this marriage for 48 plus years. They have two sons, Gregory who lives in Columbia, MO and Douglas who lives in Prairie Village, KS. They are each married and have children. Alma enjoys her work at Ashland and has had the pleasure of working along side with many of the pastors beginning with Jay Hartz. "It has been a trule blessing to associate with and get to know so many of our members over the past 25+ years." She enjoys playing golf when time allows but most of all she likes to spend time with the grandchildren.

Alma began as Assistant Treasurer for Ashland in December of 1979 so, then current treasurer, Minor Calloway, could become a snowbird during the winter months. She served in this capacity until June of 1982 when Mr. Calloway suffered a heart attack and passed away. She has been serving as treasurer since then. Her title has changed over the years: treasurer, financial secretary, and now director of fiscal ministries. Her husband, Frank, has endured (with much love) this marriage for 48 plus years. They have two sons, Gregory who lives in Columbia, MO and Douglas who lives in Prairie Village, KS. They are each married and have children. Alma enjoys her work at Ashland and has had the pleasure of working along side with many of the pastors beginning with Jay Hartz. "It has been a trule blessing to associate with and get to know so many of our members over the past 25+ years." She enjoys playing golf when time allows but most of all she likes to spend time with the grandchildren.

Chris began working at Ashland in September of 2009 after a ten year hiatus from the work force. However, she is not new to Ashland's business office as she has volunteered there for seven years. Her duties and responsibilities continue to expand, some of which are Ashland's communications including printed publications, announcement slides, maintaining the church calendar and a variety of other tasks. Originally from Kentucky and a coal miner's daughter, she has also lived in Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, and, of course, Missouri. She has two children and four grandchildren. Her hobbies are reading, the computer and being with family and friends. Chris and her husband, Frank, have been members of Ashland since October 2002.

Chris began working at Ashland in September of 2009 after a ten year hiatus from the work force. However, she is not new to Ashland's business office as she has volunteered there for seven years. Her duties and responsibilities continue to expand, some of which are Ashland's communications including printed publications, announcement slides, maintaining the church calendar and a variety of other tasks. Originally from Kentucky and a coal miner's daughter, she has also lived in Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, and, of course, Missouri. She has two children and four grandchildren. Her hobbies are reading, the computer and being with family and friends. Chris and her husband, Frank, have been members of Ashland since October 2002.

Sarah has been the organist at Ashland for over 30 years, during which she also served as director of children's choir for 16 years and began and directed the Bell Tones handbell choir for over 25 years. She earned a B.MEd. and M.Mus with a concentration in organ from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Having served as organist at churches in Texas and Oklahoma as well as here at Ashland, she is pleased to have been able to use her musical talents in this way of serving God for over 50 years. Sara is also a retired piano and organ teacher. Sara's husband, Don, is a retired mathematics profesor. They have two children, two grandsons, and four granddaughters. When Sara is not doing musical things, she enjoys reading, gardening, playing Wii, volunteer work, and traveling.

Sarah has been the organist at Ashland for over 30 years, during which she also served as director of children's choir for 16 years and began and directed the Bell Tones handbell choir for over 25 years. She earned a B.MEd. and M.Mus with a concentration in organ from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Having served as organist at churches in Texas and Oklahoma as well as here at Ashland, she is pleased to have been able to use her musical talents in this way of serving God for over 50 years. Sara is also a retired piano and organ teacher. Sara's husband, Don, is a retired mathematics profesor. They have two children, two grandsons, and four granddaughters. When Sara is not doing musical things, she enjoys reading, gardening, playing Wii, volunteer work, and traveling.