Staff
Carl Palmer, M. Div., Pastor
Name: Carl Palmer
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
Favorite food: pizza!
Favorite color: Red
Unique talent: Seriously? I may have a talent or two (which may be read Biblically – see Matthew 25:14-30) but I don’t know how unique they might be. I’m more interested in their proper use, invested in the Kingdom. And, of course, you say, that’s what a preacher would say!
Why I am at Elm Springs: Other than by appointment from the Bishop, I truly feel God has called us here for this time. God put Elm Springs on my heart three years before we were appointed here, and He has graced us with innumerable expressions of joy and fulfillment here. We are truly blessed to be at Elm.
How would you describe your job? Despite the 39 things the Book of Discipline says I am to do, I feel my primary purpose is in discerning God’s vision for the church, and recruiting, equipping, and sending forth the next generation of Christian leaders.
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
Favorite food: pizza!
Favorite color: Red
Unique talent: Seriously? I may have a talent or two (which may be read Biblically – see Matthew 25:14-30) but I don’t know how unique they might be. I’m more interested in their proper use, invested in the Kingdom. And, of course, you say, that’s what a preacher would say!
Why I am at Elm Springs: Other than by appointment from the Bishop, I truly feel God has called us here for this time. God put Elm Springs on my heart three years before we were appointed here, and He has graced us with innumerable expressions of joy and fulfillment here. We are truly blessed to be at Elm.
How would you describe your job? Despite the 39 things the Book of Discipline says I am to do, I feel my primary purpose is in discerning God’s vision for the church, and recruiting, equipping, and sending forth the next generation of Christian leaders.
Denni Palmer, M.Div., Director of Christian Education
Name: Denni Palmer
Birthplace: Moline, Il.
Favorite food: peanut butter and chocolate
Favorite color: pink
Unique talent: Apparently I have the unique talent in my house to be able to not only see that laundry needs to be washed but also put the clothes in the washer and dryer.
Why I am at Elm Springs: Other than my husband is the pastor? In truth, this is the church that God led us to, and I would come here even if I had a choice.
How would you describe your job? If our church was the Love Boat, I would be Julie. There is usually a clipboard somewhere near me so I can help connect people with their areas of service and with each other. If you want a place to plug in, see me.
Birthplace: Moline, Il.
Favorite food: peanut butter and chocolate
Favorite color: pink
Unique talent: Apparently I have the unique talent in my house to be able to not only see that laundry needs to be washed but also put the clothes in the washer and dryer.
Why I am at Elm Springs: Other than my husband is the pastor? In truth, this is the church that God led us to, and I would come here even if I had a choice.
How would you describe your job? If our church was the Love Boat, I would be Julie. There is usually a clipboard somewhere near me so I can help connect people with their areas of service and with each other. If you want a place to plug in, see me.
Dri Bayer, Director of Youth Ministries, and Secretary
Name: Amandria “Dri” Bayer
Birthplace: Johnson City, KS
Favorite cereal: just plain Cheerio’s, with no sugar
Favorite color: green
Unique talent: I’m pretty good a bargain shopping… I could make Clinton & Stacey’s $5,000 on What Not To Wear go a looooong ways!
Why I am at Elm Springs: Someone once said to find where God is working and join him there. I’m very passionate about seeing youth decide to walk the path of their life side by side with God. God has called me to Elm Springs to do just that. God is moving here, this is where he wants me to join him.
How would you describe your job? I wear two hats. A majority of the time I play the director of youth ministries. Basically I journey life with students, lead them to journey with Christ, invite other adults to join our party, and plan all of our crazy events.
I also play the church secretary, I do the things that make church run smoothly throughout the week, like bulletins, attendance, mailing stuff, etc.
Birthplace: Johnson City, KS
Favorite cereal: just plain Cheerio’s, with no sugar
Favorite color: green
Unique talent: I’m pretty good a bargain shopping… I could make Clinton & Stacey’s $5,000 on What Not To Wear go a looooong ways!
Why I am at Elm Springs: Someone once said to find where God is working and join him there. I’m very passionate about seeing youth decide to walk the path of their life side by side with God. God has called me to Elm Springs to do just that. God is moving here, this is where he wants me to join him.
How would you describe your job? I wear two hats. A majority of the time I play the director of youth ministries. Basically I journey life with students, lead them to journey with Christ, invite other adults to join our party, and plan all of our crazy events.
I also play the church secretary, I do the things that make church run smoothly throughout the week, like bulletins, attendance, mailing stuff, etc.
Amanda Meyers, Nursery Coordinator
Name: Amanda Meyers
Birthplace: Tahlequah, OK
Favorite Cereal: Frosted Flakes
Favorite color: Red
Unique talent: According to my step daughters, I can read people like they are open books.
Why I am at Elm Springs: When my husband and I were dating, he knew I was having trouble finding a church where I felt comfortable. He invited me to attend a Sunday service with him and I immediately felt at home. Everyone was so sincere in welcoming me and truly proud of their faith. I could feel God at work and knew I had finally found my place to further develop my relationship with God.
How would you describe your job? Being a Nursery coordinator, I am responsible for the most precious members of our church. It is my job to welcome, love and care for our babies and toddlers from birth to 2 years of age so, even at that early age, they can being to develop a relationship with the church and with God.
Birthplace: Tahlequah, OK
Favorite Cereal: Frosted Flakes
Favorite color: Red
Unique talent: According to my step daughters, I can read people like they are open books.
Why I am at Elm Springs: When my husband and I were dating, he knew I was having trouble finding a church where I felt comfortable. He invited me to attend a Sunday service with him and I immediately felt at home. Everyone was so sincere in welcoming me and truly proud of their faith. I could feel God at work and knew I had finally found my place to further develop my relationship with God.
How would you describe your job? Being a Nursery coordinator, I am responsible for the most precious members of our church. It is my job to welcome, love and care for our babies and toddlers from birth to 2 years of age so, even at that early age, they can being to develop a relationship with the church and with God.
Sarah Rigby, Accompanist
Name: Sarah Rigby
Birthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas
Favorite Food: Chocolate…if that counts.
Favorite Color: Purple
Unique Talent: Umm, I’ve really got nothing here. I guess I’m pretty good at remembering lots of details…pointless details. The ones that scare people that I actually remember. Haha.
Why I am at Elm Springs: Well, I’m in the NWA area because I wanted to be a Razorback and attend the University of Arkansas. I came up here all by myself…excited and scared to death about this new place and new adventure. I ended up at Elm Springs United Methodist Church because I knew Pastor Carl and Denni from one of their past appointments at my hometown, Vilonia, AR. They just happened to have an opening for a Keyboardist my Freshman year of college. Not only was this a huge blessing for me to know a close family that I could turn to, but also a new church family. God is good and most certainly does provide.
How would you describe your job? Fun and fulfilling. I get to bang around on the keyboard while attempting to make a joyous noise for the Lord. I play in the piano for both the contemporary and traditional service. I also help select the songs for each week’s worship.
Birthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas
Favorite Food: Chocolate…if that counts.
Favorite Color: Purple
Unique Talent: Umm, I’ve really got nothing here. I guess I’m pretty good at remembering lots of details…pointless details. The ones that scare people that I actually remember. Haha.
Why I am at Elm Springs: Well, I’m in the NWA area because I wanted to be a Razorback and attend the University of Arkansas. I came up here all by myself…excited and scared to death about this new place and new adventure. I ended up at Elm Springs United Methodist Church because I knew Pastor Carl and Denni from one of their past appointments at my hometown, Vilonia, AR. They just happened to have an opening for a Keyboardist my Freshman year of college. Not only was this a huge blessing for me to know a close family that I could turn to, but also a new church family. God is good and most certainly does provide.
How would you describe your job? Fun and fulfilling. I get to bang around on the keyboard while attempting to make a joyous noise for the Lord.
I play in the piano for both the contemporary and traditional service. I also help select the songs for each week’s worship.David Chandler, Facilities Manager
Name: David Chandler
Birthplace: Van Nuys, CA
Favorite Food: BBQ Spareribs
Favorite Color: Blue
Unique Talent: I have so many it’s hard to pick just one… ha. I’m not sure it is a talent but I have lots of energy and I am focused. (Some of my friends and family call it OCD but I call it focused.) I make sure things are done just right and don’t quit until they are.
Why I am at ESUMC: I am here because of my wife, who was actually my girlfriend when I joined. She was a part of the Church when we met and I felt right at home when she got brave enough to start bringing me with her. Plus her Dad is really scary and told me I needed to go to Church to date her. I stayed because I love it and the people are my family now! Besides, who could unclog the toilets and clean up the spills better than me?
My job: Title: Facility Manager
What that actually means: Anything and everything that needs to be done at anytime of the day or night. I clean, fix, maintain and tweak all parts of the church building and grounds. I make sure the coffee is ready on Sunday mornings and that the building is set up for any special event scheduled. I also have the job of mowing and keeping the outside looking presentable and well kept.
Birthplace: Van Nuys, CA
Favorite Food: BBQ Spareribs
Favorite Color: Blue
Unique Talent: I have so many it’s hard to pick just one… ha. I’m not sure it is a talent but I have lots of energy and I am focused. (Some of my friends and family call it OCD but I call it focused.) I make sure things are done just right and don’t quit until they are.
Why I am at ESUMC: I am here because of my wife, who was actually my girlfriend when I joined. She was a part of the Church when we met and I felt right at home when she got brave enough to start bringing me with her. Plus her Dad is really scary and told me I needed to go to Church to date her. I stayed because I love it and the people are my family now! Besides, who could unclog the toilets and clean up the spills better than me?
My job: Title: Facility Manager
What that actually means: Anything and everything that needs to be done at anytime of the day or night. I clean, fix, maintain and tweak all parts of the church building and grounds. I make sure the coffee is ready on Sunday mornings and that the building is set up for any special event scheduled. I also have the job of mowing and keeping the outside looking presentable and well kept.
