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.

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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

Office Administrator
I have been working as Financial Coordinator and Membership/Christian Education Secretary and now as Office Administrator for total of 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.

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.

Mark Kimzey

Choir Director

Mark was raised in New Virginia, IA and graduated from Interstate 35 Comm. High School. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Iowa Wesleyan College. Mark is primarily responsible for the Chancel Choir, but periodically serves in other capacities for all the music ministries of the church.
Full time, Mark is the owner and funeral director of the Kimzey Funeral Home, a half block south of the church. He serves the church also as chair of the Memorial Committee and member at large on Administrative Council. Mark is involved in the Evening Rotary Club and the Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge. Quite contrary to the calm role of a choir director, Mark’s hobby is that of being a referee and judge of amateur boxing. A former amateur boxer himself, he also serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of Iowa Amateur Boxing.
Mark is married to Linda (nee Begalske). They have 2 children – Rebekah, a student at Simpson College and Aaron, a student at Mt. Pleasant Comm. High School
Mark’s favorite scriptures are Matthew 25:31-46closeMatthew 25:31-46 The Final Judgment 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV) closeMatthew 25:31-46closeMatthew 25:31-46 The Final Judgment 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV) The Final Judgment 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV) and James 2:14-26closeJames 2:14-26 Faith Without Works Is Dead 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (ESV) closeJames 2:14-26closeJames 2:14-26 Faith Without Works Is Dead 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (ESV) Faith Without Works Is Dead 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (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) .

Donita Benedict


Praise Team Director & Children’s Music Ministry
Hi everyone. My name is Donita and I feel so blessed to be on staff at our church. I love the Lord and love to sing for Him. I have always loved music and have been singing from as early age. I also play a little piano, guitar and even a mean saxophone!!! I am currently living in Danville and have two beautiful children – Kayla and Jason. I work full-time at Family Medicine here in Mt. Pleasant. I am looking forward to making music with the Praise Band and will all the wonderful children in our church. To God be the Glory!!!