Staff News
FUMC Staff
Senior Pastor
Eugene Strange
Gene was appointed to First United Methodist Church in May 2004 – first as an interim pastor and then in July 2005 as Senior Pastor. He had previously served for thirteen years as the Director of the EKU Wesley Foundation. Gene and his lovely wife, Donna, reside at 601 Dove Lane. They have two grown children – Michalle and Johnny – and three grandchildren, age 9, 5 and 3.
Pastor Emeritus
Bob Wallace
Rev. Wallace served in the Kentucky conference for 51 years. He was appointed to the First United Methodist Church of Richmond in 1986 and served for 6 years, until he retired in 1992. He resides in the St. Andrews Retirement Community in Richmond with his wife Ginger. They have 5 children and 12 grandchildren.
Mary Lou Stephens
Equipping Ministries
Mary Lou was appointed to FUMC in 2005. As an ordained deacon, she has been a member of the Kentucky Annual Conference since 1986. Serving as Director of Equipping Ministries allows her to use her MA in counseling to assist with pastoral care and her love for the arts by assisting with dramas and visuals for worship. She lives with her husband, Allan, and is proud of their daughter, Susan, and son-in-law, Scott, who will help her become a grandmother this spring.
Young Adult & Family Ministries
Stacy Jordan
Stacy Jordan serves as the Family and Young Adult coordinator at FUMC. She has been attending this church for more years than she has fingers to count. Stacy is married to the youth guy here at FUMC. She has a 10-year old step-daughter and a 2 year old son. When Stacy is not busy with something ministry-related, you might find her working as an occupational therapist or taking a nap.
Youth Director
Jamie Jordan
Jamie Jordan leads the “Emerge” youth ministry, an inviting community of 6th through 12th grade students exploring and growing in their journeys with Christ. Jamie joined the staff in 2007 but has volunteered with the youth ministry since he got real with God in 2000. He is a student at Asbury Seminary, pretending that it will prepare him for everything God throws his way. Jamie is married with two children. He bleeds UK Wildcat blue but is quick to extend grace to those who favor Cardinal red or Volunteer orange.
Children's Ministry
Vicki Moore
Vicki along with the Children’s Ministry Team heads up Children’s Ministries ranging from the nurseries to 5th grade. Having served as Director of The Growing Place from 1996-99, Vicki works in a supervisory capacity with the Director of The Growing Place. Vicki joined the church staff in 1999.
Vicki holds a B.A. degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Marshall University. Vicki and her husband, Skip have 2 children, David and Courtney and one little boy, Dudley, their 4 year old black Cocker Spaniel
Childcare Coordinator
Paula Garrett
Paula Garrett serves as Childcare Coordinator and works directly with Vicki Moore in scheduling childcare for the meetings that the church has. Paula workes as a Family Support Worker for Fayette County with at Risk Moms. Paula is also a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University.
The Growing Place Director
Lisha French
Lisha has both Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Education degrees from EKU. She has extensive experience at preschool and childcare facilities in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia, and has worked in banking and management in Indiana, Ohio and even Germany! Lisha was born and raised in Richmond, and we are thrilled (and blessed) that she has not only “returned home,” but that she is part of The Growing Place family.
Music Minister
Gale Price
Gale Price has been the Music Director at FUMC for the past 14 years. Raised in Louisville, he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education for the University of Louisville. He earned his Doctor of Music Arts degree from the University of Kentucky in conducting and composition of music. He and his wife, Nan, together have three children and four grandchildren.
Accompanyist
Gale Heard
Monica Gale Heard is a Professor in the Music Department at Berea College. She teaches applied voice, applied piano and accompanying, theory and aural harmony, diction, and class voice and serves as Staff Accompanist and Vocal Coach. She also conducts the Berea College Women’s Chorus.
A native of the deep south, Miss Heard has earned degrees from Georgetown College. and Florida State University. She is a winner of the Metropolitan Opera auditions at the local, regional and national levels. She is also the winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist’s Award. She has done extensive performing both regionally and nationally, in both opera and art song.
Officer/Manager/Financial Officer
Maggy Dunlap
Office Manager and Financial Officer. My family and I became members of the FUMC since 1994 and I joined the church staff in 2005. I serve on the Children’s Ministry Team and also The Growing Place Day Care Board of Directors. If you have any questions about our church’s programs, activities, would like to volunteer, or have suggestions, please call me!
Officer/Secretary/Receptionist
Nancy Bidwell
Nancy lives in her home community of Irvine. She has one son who is married and lives in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Her two wonderful grandsons are six and almost three. She is a retired school media specialist having lived and worked in Georgetown, Frankfort, Shelbyville and Carrollton. Working at a church is helping her to fulfill a long time dream.
EKU Wesley Foundation Campus Minister/Director
Ken Southgate
Ken Southgate was raised in the Lexington Centenary UMC church family. He and his wife, Paula, have three sons, ages 18, 14, and 10. EKU Wesley Foundation his first appointment after graduating from Asbury Seminary in 1994 with two masters degrees Masters of Divinity, and Masters of Arts in Counseling. He is now finishing his fourteenth year at EKU and follows in the steps of our pastor, Gene Strange who was the Director for thirteen years.
FUMC Custodian
Rod Tudor
Rod Tudor and his wife, Kathy have one son and two grandsons. Rod had a variety of jobs before becoming FUMC custodian. He has been a supervisor for the state highway department, worked for Vogue-Rattan Furniture in Lexington and Eccu-Tec, a part of Reynolds Aluminum. Rod and Kathy enjoy going to flea markets and yard sales on weekends.