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!
Anne Walling - Communications Coordinator
Anne Walling is the newest addition to the staff at Wesley. She started as the Communications Coordinator in May 2013. Prior to being hired as a part-time staff member, Anne has been a dedicated volunteer to the church for more than a decade. Anne has a B.S. in Communication Education and an M.A. in Communication from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Before her children were born she taught at Stebbins High School in Dayton, Ohio, Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio and The Ohio State University at Mansfield.
After the birth of her second son, Anne worked at home to raise her children, and during that time, she became very active at Wesley, especially in Wesley’s Music Department and in many other organizations in Bloomington/Normal. Anne still continues to volunteer several hours a week to the music program and other organizations.
Anne and her husband, Rob, have two sons in college, Ian and Alex, and a daughter in high school, Ryn. Beyond her work and volunteering, Anne enjoys music, reading, travel, crocheting, and knitting.
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.
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
Kathi is a native of Chicago and has a Masters degree in psychology from Illinois State University and seminary training from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in Lincoln and an undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. She served in Children's Ministry, Adult Education and Youth Ministry at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bloomington before coming to Wesley in 2003.
Kathi has served on conference christian education teams, education committees and task forces and worked with area organizations and churches on evangelism efforts, peace camps and children's ministry events.
Kathi is married to Gary Pritts, who currently owns and operates J & G Integrity Builders. Together they have two children, Cameo (23) and Caleb (15). Kathi enjoys art, reading, tennis, racquetball, garage sales and children.
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. I have been involved in youth ministry for 22 years. 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 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.
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 attended Illinois State University and has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Myrna and her husband Michael have an adult son and daughter, both in the Chicago area. 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
Dave is a Bloomington native but has lived all over the country while working for Honeywell. His career with Honeywell was in the areas of Facilities and Administrative Services. Dave has a son and daughter that also live in Bloomington and has four grandchildren.
