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Meet the Staff - Youth Ministries

Frank Newburn - Director of Youth Ministries

frank sara christian small

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 almost 5 years and have 2 sons- Christian Samuel- who was born on September 11, 2009, and Jensen Matthew- who was born on February 8, 2012.  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 23 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.  

Stacy Ash - Assistant Director of Youth Ministries

stacy with ash kids

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!