Vaughn Hoffman - Directing Minister
Vaughn Hoffman is a native of central Illinois and has degrees from Illinois State University and the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. Ordained in 1982, Rev. Hoffman has served in a number of churches in Colorado and Illinois before coming to Wesley UMC as its Senior Pastor in 2004.
In addition to his pastoral work over the past 28 years, Vaughn has also served as adjunct faculty in the area of Ministry and Society at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, and has been active in leadership in the Annual Conference, serving on numerous Annual Conference commissions and boards. He is currently the chair-designee for the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.
He is married to Lori Esenwein Hoffman, who currently teaches Mathematics at Heartland Community College in Normal. Together they have two adult sons, Nicholas and Neil, and in 2009 welcomed their first grandchild Karson into the family! Vaughn enjoys distance running, backpacking, fly fishing, and playing classical guitar. Lori is a runner also, and enjoys cross-stitching and quilting.
Camilla Hempstead - Associate Pastor
Camilla is a native of Central Illinois. She has a Bachelor's degree in music from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN, and a Doctor of Ministry from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She has passion for adult spiritual growth and development, as well as a passion for teaching adults and writing curriculum materials for adults. She is married to Jeff and they have two children.
Adria Schumann - Director of Music Ministries
Adria Schumann has been director of Music Ministries at Wesley, since 1996. Previous to being hired full time, she was the children's choirs director from 1991-1996. Adria has a B.A. in Music Education from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She taught in the public school system in Mt. Vernon, Ohio from 1979-1987 as an Elementary Music Teacher.
Adria stayed home to raise her children after the birth of her second child. During that time, she and her husband were youth directors at their local church and participated in many community music activities. She also gave private voice lessons.
Adria and her husband, Brad have 2 grown daughters. Her interests outside of music include, dance, reading, playing euchre, physical fitness and of course, cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes!
Frank Newburn - Director of Youth Ministries
I truly believe I have the best job in the world- working with and developing the youth of Wesley UMC. My wife Sara and I have been married for over 2 years and have a son- Christian Samuel- who was born on September 11, 2009. I am originally from Wheaton, a suburb of Chicago, and moved here in 2006 to take the position of Director of Youth Ministries. I attended Wheaton College and triple majored in Biblical & Theological Studies, Christian Education, and Psychology and also have a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology. I have been involved in youth ministry for 20 years working with both Jr. and Sr. High students both nationally and internationally. I have a passion for discipleship, mentoring, leadership, and missions and have seen firsthand the amazing things students can do when they are encouraged, mentored, and allowed to lead. I also love all kinds of sports, cooking, and traveling and have already been to 28 foreign countries in my life. I feel my calling in life is to work with students and that God continues to use my background, education, and spiritual gifts to impact His children. My family and I have been tremendously blessed by our time here at Wesley and love the people of this church body.
Myrna Simpson - Business Administrator
Myrna joined the staff at Wesley in 2000 and is responsible for maintaining all financial and payroll records, and providing financial reports to church staff and committees. She was raised in western Illinois, then attended Illinois State University to receive a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Myrna and her husband Michael have a son who is a safety specialist in Chicago, and a daughter who is a nurse at OSF St. Joseph in Bloomington. Myrna's interests include spending time and vacationing with extended family. Other interests include reading, walking, bicycling, canoeing/kayaking, golfing and attending Cubs baseball games.
Dave Perry - Facilities Manager
I am a Bloomington native but lived all over the country while working for Honeywell. My career with Honeywell was in the areas of Facilities and Administrative Services. I have a son and daughter that also live in Bloomington and we have three grandchildren.
Keith Ferguson - Minister of Visitation
Keith was born in North Dakota and received a BA in Business Administration from Jamestown College, an MDiv From Garrett-Evangelical Seminary, and an MST from McCormick Theological Seminary. Ordained in 1967, he served churches in North Dakota and Illinois before retiring in 2006 and coming to work at Wesley.
Keith is married to Barbara Ferguson, a retired teacher and free lance writer. Barbara sings in the Chancel Choir and Asbury Chorale and serves on the Library Committee. Keith and Barbara have two children, both married, and two grandchildren.
Kathi Pritts - Director of Christian Education
I absolutely love what I do at Wesley and feel that it is a great privilege and blessing to get paid for doing what I love to do. My husband and I have been married for 27 years and have been involved in ministry for at least 20 of those 27 years. We have both been youth leaders, Sunday school teachers and both lay & paid staff in churches. We have owned our own businesses and consider God's business the greatest joy. I have undergraduate training in Education & Psychology and a masters degree in Psychology and Seminary training in Pastoral Care & Counseling. I believe God has used my education, my life experience and my skills and interest to lead me toward my greatest love of ministering to children, families and adults. God has blessed us with two great children, aged 20 and 12 who are very much a part of our life in ministry and have always loved to help. We consider Wesley home and are very grateful for our church family.
Stacy Ash - Assistant Director of Youth Ministries
I grew up in Southern Illinois and Austin, Texas. My parents were from Bloomington, and I attended Wesley frequently as a visitor as a child when we would visit family. I finished high school at Bloomington HS, and was part of the youth group here at Wesley as a teenager. My husband Randy and I were married here at Wesley and all three of our children (Ryan, Jeffrey and Alexandra) were baptized here. We moved for short periods of time to upstate New York and a Chicago suburb, but have always returned to Bloomington, and consider Wesley our church home no matter where we are.
I attended Illinois State University with a focus in Psychology. The youth program was always a draw to me since I was very involved as a teen myself in youth group. I began volunteering in the youth program as a Sunday school teacher at age 18. I stepped in as the interim youth director in November of 2002. I was already volunteering heavily as a regular chaperone and teacher. I have been full time here at Wesley in the youth program since March of 2003.
My heart is passionate to reach students for Christ, to help them develop their own faith and spiritual life response, and to walk beside them during their teen years. Watching students question, ponder, wrestle with and grow to understand what it means to be a Christian – and helping them however I can during that process – is one of the most rewarding things I can imagine.
Beyond youth ministry, time with my family and friends is precious to me. I love to cook – but I do not love to clean up! I enjoy, browsing through recipes and cookbooks, and watching cooking shows. I especially love it when my kids cook with me. I also occasionally help couples as a childbirth doula – helping them bring their babies into the world is thrilling to me. Singing, spending time outdoors, theater, learning and teaching are all things I love. But a nice cup of tea, and a magazine or good movie with friends also makes for a good day!
Jody Robbins - Executive Assistant to the Pastors
Jody Robbins has been on staff at Wesley since 1995. She feels that church ministry is the best place to utilize her gifts. Jody is a member of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) and enjoys the camaraderie with fellow church secretaries. Jody and her husband, Chuck, have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren. In her leisure time, she enjoys music, photography, art, and travel, especially to the Smoky Mountain area.
