MEET OUR SENIOR PASTOR & FAMILY!
Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Timothy Crump and his wife Cindy are graduates of Olivet Nazarene University. Pastor Tim has a ThB in Theology and a Masters of Arts in Religion. Cindy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and has taught in the Illinois public school system.
Rev. Crump was ordained in 1987. They have two children: Melanie, who is a Senior, Accounting Major at Olivet Nazarene University and Matthew who is going to Richland Community College and working at Lowes.
Pastor Crump's strengths are compassion, relevant Biblical preaching, vision casting, teamwork training and an understanding of church fiscal responsibilities.
Pastor Tim and his family began ministering at Decatur First on March 9, 2003.
To contact Pastor Tim you can e-mail him @ PT@firstnazarene.org.
MEET OUR ASSOCIATE PASTOR AND FAMILY!
Pastor Ed Abla our Associate Pastor (Pastoral Care), was born in Imperial Nebraska and was married to Janice Hancock while in college. He attended Bethany Nazarene College with a major in religion and minor in psychology. He and Jan have pastored in Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, and New Mexico.Pastor Ed and Jan are products of parsonage families. Both parents were pastors in the Church of the Nazarene. They have three children; Marsha and two grandsons, Marc and Sandra Abla and three grandsons, all of whom are members of Decatur First; Evan and Julia Roat Abla are serving as Pastor to Children and their Families at Parkview Church of the Nazarene in Dayton, Ohio.
Pastor Ed was our senior pastor from 1979-1984. He has been associate pastor, part-time, since May of 2003. If you would like to contact Pastor Ed please e-mail him @ PE@firstnazarene.org.
MEET OUR YOUTH PASTOR AND FAMILY
Rev. Timothy Lourash is our Youth Pastor. Tim has served as Senior Pastor for the Wyoming Church of the Nazarene in Wyoming, Illinois where he served five years. He also has served as Youth Pastor in Bethel, Ohio and Avon, Indiana.
Tim & his wife, Nealy, are products of Decatur First and began their ministry here in May of 2007 . Nealy has been an active part of our Praise Team, Drama Team and sings in our Choir.
Tim & Nealy have two fine children: Caleb & Catherine and reside in Warrensburg. You can reach Pastor Tim by emailing PTL@firstnazarene.org.
MEET OUR WORSHIP PASTOR AND HUSBAND
Cathy Woolaway, and her husband, Rob come to us from Topeka, Kansas where she served as drama director and worship leader at the Topeka Fairlawn Church of the Nazarene. During her time in Topeka she directed the Topeka Passion Play, the Gospel According To Scrooge, and other special outreach events.
Rob is skilled in sound, lighting and production setup. They enjoy the outdoors, water sports, and of course art and music. They have a Goldern Retriever named Annabelle. You can contact Pastor Cathy @ PC@firstnazarene.org.
MEET OUR PASTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & HIS FAMILY
Pastor Wade Stine serves as our Pastor of Christian Education. Wade has served at the Decatur Parkway Church of the Nazarene as the youth pastor and has also been a pulpit supply pastor for the Illinois District. He is married to his wonderful wife and supporter, Paula. They have two children, Tessa and Logan. They are both from the Decatur area. Wade's education comes from different universities and colleges, including Northwest Nazarene University, Olivet Nazarene University, Illinois District School of Ministry and Richland Community College. He is still working towards ordination.
Paula attended Olivet Nazarene University for two years and finished up at Illinois State University with a Bachelor's in Geology. Their interests as a family are camping, canoeing, biking, and simply being together. They are thrilled to serve here at Decatur First, and look forward to see what God has in store. Both of them believe that God has placed them here for a specific reason. Winning souls for Christ is our ultimate goal in the end, no matter what their assigned specific tasks.
If you would like to contact Pastor Wade, please e-mail him @ PW@firstnazarene.org.
MEET OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY PASTOR
Sesha Shonkwiler is our Children's Pastorr. She works part-time in helping to plan our Children's program and to coordinator our volunteers in this vital ministry at Decatur First. Sesha has a servant's heart and a love of children. She and her husband Chris along with their two beautiful daughters, Chyra and Loryn, live in Oreana. You may contact Sesha with questions or to get involved at 620-6363or by emailing PS@firstnazarene.org. MEET OUR FINANCE / DAYCARE MANAGER
Meet our Finance / Daycare Manager, Gene Ray. He and his wife Nancy are both very active in ministry here at Decatur First. Gene serves as our church Treasurer, choir member, as well as being on staff part time, overseeing the affairs of everyday operation in our Daycare. His wife, Nancy serves in organizing our Welcome Center, Greeters, and Information Booth. She is also very active in Women's Ministries and our Decor Team. We are blessed to have Gene on staff in our office. To reach him, please call him at the church office at 875-0616.Meet Our Community Life And Outreach Director
Justin, a 2005 graduate of Olivet Nazarene University is our Community Life Recreational Director. He graduated with a BA in Sports Management and a minor in Youth Ministry. He is the son of Ron & Sharon Neufeld.
Justin was born in Danville, IL and has worked the past five years for the Decatur Park District as the Supervisor of Athletics where he ran programs for adults and youth from leagues to camps. He presently is also furthering his education where he hopes to get a degree in Elementary Education.
If you would like to contact Justin, call 853-1555 or email him at Justin@firstnazarene.org.
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