The members of our staff want to get to know you and partner with you in a growing faith and through experiences that equip you for the ministry to which Christ has called you.
Herbert G. Shafer “Herb”
Senior Pastor
It is a privilege to carry the vision of a church that “welcomes, equips and sends” mature disciples of Christ in ministry into the world. My wife, Jan, and I have three grown daughters and seven grandchildren. I enjoy canoeing and chocolate almond ice cream. A favorite inspirational song is “Thank You for Giving to the Lord.” I have enjoyed many years of experience with youth camps, youth and adult mission trips, and Walk to Emmaus retreats.
Favorite scriptures include: John 10:10closeJohn 10:10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (ESV) closeJohn 10:10closeJohn 10:10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (ESV) 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (ESV) and Ephesians 2:8closeEphesians 2:8 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. . . . (ESV) closeEphesians 2:8closeEphesians 2:8 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. . . . (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. . . . (ESV)
Dave Bracht-Wagner
Pastor for Youth and Young Adult Faith Development and Chaplain at Iowa Wesleyan College
I believe that youth and young adults are not the future of the church; they are the church. I have a lovely wife, Melisa, and a daughter, Sarah.
Some of my favorite scriptures are: Joshua 1:9closeJoshua 1:9 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (ESV) closeJoshua 1:9closeJoshua 1:9 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (ESV) 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (ESV) , Matthew 19:26closeMatthew 19:26 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (ESV) closeMatthew 19:26closeMatthew 19:26 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (ESV) 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (ESV) and Timothy 4:11-16close1 Timothy 4:11-16 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (ESV) close1 Timothy 4:11-16close1 Timothy 4:11-16 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (ESV) 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (ESV)
Jean Evans
Financial Coordinator and Membership/Christian Education Secretary
I have been working as Financial Coordinator and Membership/Christian Education Secretary for twenty-six years. It is a joy to support the members of the church in this way. I have three married children and three grandchildren which I enjoy visiting and taking care of as needed. I love biking and gardening.
My favorite scripture is John 3:16closeJohn 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) closeJohn 3:16closeJohn 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) . My favorite hymn is, “Hymn of Promise,” but Christmas hymns are also at the top of my favorite list.
Priscilla Marlar
Office Administrator/Director of Children’s Music/VBS Coordinator
I joined the 1st UMC staff in November of 2010. I handle all clerical and administrative support tasks in the office, including being the church webmaster. I also direct the children’s choirs and organize/coordinate Vacation Bible School. I am a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan College with my degree in English and stay involved in the community by being a member of many musical ensembles, including Mt. Pleasant Chorale, Chancel Choir and Bell Choir at 1st UMC.
I’m an avid participant in equestrian sports, showing and training Morgan horses, all things musical and artistic, reading classic literature and anything outdoors.
Chuck Ring
Custodian
I am in charge of cleaning and maintaining the facilities at First United Methodist Church. Besides the routine cleaning and maintenance, I also set up rooms for special meetings and dinners that use the church building.
Nancy McGohan
Children and Youth Assistant
I assumed the duties of youth director in the spring of 2007. Today, I work alongside Pastor Dave Bracht-Wagner with the youth and with the Sunday School Department. My husband, Jeff, and I have two children in elementary school, Ethan and Elijah. I have been a member of the First United Methodist Church all my life. I was baptized as an infant by Pastor Carl E. Wilson.
My favorite scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:13close1 Corinthians 13:13 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV) close1 Corinthians 13:13close1 Corinthians 13:13 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV) 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV) .
Jerry Lalaga
Organist
I assumed the position of full time organist Nov 28, 2010. I was born on the Polynesian island of American Samoa. I graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College May, 2011 with my degree in Music Education. Some of my favorite things are art, music, and playing golf and tennis. My favorite hymn “It is Well with My Soul.”
My favorite verse is John 3:16closeJohn 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) closeJohn 3:16closeJohn 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) .
Aaron Warner
Director of Contemporary Music
I enjoy movies, music and am interested in seeing God work in our country today. I desire to see a movement in the church heavily rooted in Ecumenical worship.
Some of my favorite scriptures are: Jeremiah 29:11closeJeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV) closeJeremiah 29:11closeJeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV) , Romans 8:38-39closeRomans 8:38-39 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV) closeRomans 8:38-39closeRomans 8:38-39 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV) 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV) and John 3:17closeJohn 3:17 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (ESV) closeJohn 3:17closeJohn 3:17 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (ESV) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (ESV)
