Doug assumed duties of Senior Pastor at Ashland July 2, 2017. He has served as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 32 years; serving in Dearborn, Lake Ozark, and Salem, Missouri. Doug has an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a Master of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Church growth and discipleship top Doug’s list of priorities. Doug believes reaching people for Christ is most effectively engaged by the church being active in the community and being a witness for Jesus Christ. He is responsible for leadership development, administration, preaching, and delivering the Sacraments of the church. When Doug isn’t in the office he is spending time with family and running the Parkway. Doug and his family are avid MIZZOU sports fans and follow their Tigers whenever possible. Doug and his wife Carol have three grown children; Jess and Eric Soete, and grandsons Abe, Jackson, Ingram, Rockwell, and Phinnaeau live in Columbia, Mo. Pete and Caitlin Walter and granddaughter Ada live in Columbia, Mo as well. Mark and the love of his life Winja live on their farm in Excelsior Spring, Mo. The Walters also share their lives with Mo and Maggie their beloved pups and Snap their independent thinking cat.