Pastor - Rev. Jay Stephen Simpson The Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce that Rev. Jay Stephen Simpson has been appointed as Senior Pastor to Lonoke First United Methodist Church, beginning October 1, 2022. Jay Stephen’s family includes his wife (Peggy) and two adult sons. Jay Stephen and Peggy are empty nesters. Jay Stephen graduated from MDiv, Asbury Theological Seminary (2016) His appointment history includes Christ /Ogden UMC, Texarkana FUMC Associate, Osceola, Hughes UMC / Madison. A few of his interests include Being outdoors, camping, tinkering with old cars and trucks, computers, and technology. Has served in Rotary and Leadership Texarkana. Jay Stephen can be reached via email - pastor@fumclonoke.com

Director of Music Ministries - Greg Taylor Greg Taylor is the director of Music Ministries. Greg has a great deal of experience in music and music ministry and has served at Lonoke since 2009. Through choir, bell choir and his work as a pianist and organist, Greg blesses the church through his many gifts and leadership.

Office Manager - Beth Mooney 501.676.6767 Beth Mooney joined the church staff in 2013. In past years she worked with Human Resources. Currently Beth also enjoys decorating specialty cakes in a family-owned business. Beth and her husband, Justin Mooney, have one daughter.

Director of the Church Childcare Center - Michell Ligon 501.676.3118 Michell Ligon was appointed Director of the child care center in November 2022. She has been with the center since 2015 and has a passion for early childhood education. After finishing her associates degree in ECE from ASU-Beebe, she will be continuing her education at Arkansas Tech University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Michell and her husband, Justin, have two children Maddi and Cooper. When she is not educating little ones she is enjoying the outdoors with her family.

Council Chair - Brandon Waddell Duties as Council Chair of LFUMC - Council Chair meets and works with the pastor, lay leader, and others to fulfill the mission of the church. - The Council Chair, along with the pastor & lay leader, are the primary spokespersons for the vision & mission of the church & encourage all other ministry leaders. - Council Chair should organize an annual planning meeting for church vision and ministry goals. - The Council Chair should become familiar with United Methodist resources and organization. - During the year, the Council Chair prepares and communicates the agenda for meetings, leads the meetings, follows up actions by assigning responsibility for implementation, coordinates the activities of the leadership team, and maintains a healthy and growing spiritual life.

Trustee - Neil Schafer Functions as Christian stewards of property God has entrusted to the congregation. This includes supervising and maintaining both the physical property of the congregation and gifts made to the congregation so that the ministries of the congregation can be effective and all legal requirements related to the property are satisfied.

Financial Chair - Neil Bennett

Staff Parish Relations Committee - Les Anderson (SPRC)

Lay Leader - Kristen Peek

Child Care Center Council Chair - Carol Schafer

Council Secretary - Alice Bridges The duties of the Council Secretary are to be present at all meetings and to record the discussions and actions of the Council. In the order they occur, all group reports including discussions, motions, seconds, and votes are noted. A draft of the minutes must be submitted to the Council members to be reviewed and voted on for accuracy at the next meeting. Copies of the minutes are also made available to the congregation.   Alice and her husband, John, have been members of the Lonoke First United Methodist Church for 49 years and have 3 adult children and 4 granddaughters.

Council Member At Large - Amber Doom

Council Member At Large - Elizabeth Pack Gardner

Council Member at Large - Ron Burks

Council Member at Large - Robert Pack