Assoc. Pastor of Ignite and Youth Ministries
(502) 245-8839 Ext. 104
Associate Pastor of Eastwood Campus
(502) 245-8839 Ext. 116
Child Development Center Assistant Director
(502) 245-8839 Ext. 114
Head Custodian
(502) 245-8839
Matt joined our team in 2021 with over 20 years of ministry experience and brings with him a wealth of ministry, business, design, and technical experience. He has helped to plant multiple churches and missions throughout the country and serves on our district’s New Church Development Team. Matt is also an author, musician, and public speaker, serving as the Executive Director of Journey to Freedom Ministries, which you can learn more about at www.journeytofreedom.net. He, with his wife Janna, and his children Aiden and Adelyn love the outdoors, love exploring new places and trying new restaurants, love meeting new people, and love building God’s kingdom wherever they go.
I was born in the Highlands in Louisville, and my family moved to Crestwood, KY, before my first birthday, where I grew up in the same house my whole life. After entering the ministry, I served as a youth director in California, Tennessee, Indiana, and back home to Kentucky).
What drew me to the church was the wondrous love I experienced. Elementary school was a rough season for me, and my family did not attend church. By the time I entered middle school, a friend had invited me to the youth ministry at her church. I was immediately drawn to the adults and youth who accepted me and welcomed me week after week. Soon after, while on a retreat at Camp Loucon, God’s grace became real to me, and I chose to follow Jesus and become a disciple. Then in high school, God called me to serve him vocationally.
I am passionate about connecting young people to Christ-centered communities and journeying with them as they grow and serve the Lord. Also, I am passionate about my family and want to create impactful positive memories as my sons grow.
So here are some interesting tidbits about me: when I was a kid, my life’s goal was to live on a boat and be a long-haul trucker! I always thought it would be amazing to travel and see different parts of the country, and who doesn’t want a bedroom attached to their vehicle?
My number 1 pet peeve is when someone rips a sheet of paper out of my hands (for real!) I have a strange phobia of paper cuts. I think it has something to do with the fact that my father is retired from the printing industry, and my mother owned an office supply store when I was growing up, so I was always around lots and lots of paper.
If I could be any fictional character, it would be Yoshisaur Munchakoopas. You know, Yoshi the green dinosaur! He is helpful, lovable, and gobbles up problems and turns them into eggs. However, I can’t turn problems into eggs, I do enjoy cracking up with puns.
Laurie Simon recently moved back to Louisville from Tuscon, AZ as her husband Bret accepted a management position with an area company. They previously lived in Sheperdsville from 2008-2013 before a new job took them elsewhere. Laurie says she is very happy to return to the Bluegrass and reconnect with old friends and of course make new ones!
She has been an administrative assistant for 20+ years in a number of different scenarios – public schools, construction, government, human resources, etc. but never for a religious affiliation. When she saw the posting for this position, it seemed like a good direction to follow. Laurie is excited to see where this adventure will take her and all the new things she will learn along the way.
Professionally, Laurie is most passionate about learning new skill sets. She says that even after 20 years, there’s always something new to experience. Technology has evolved so much in that time: new gadgets, apps, programs…she strives to keep up with the latest and greatest to continue to do her job most efficiently. Personally, she is most passionate about making a home here in Louisville. Her and her husband are empty-nesters so they have free time to explore new places, restaurants, venues, parks, etc. She has also committed to learning to play golf as they live off the Polo Fields golf course!
If someone met Laurie they would probably never guess that she is deathly afraid of cats! She has a feline phobia that stems from an unpleasant encounter 25 years ago. She says she has made progress but generally steers clear. If Laurie had to name her #1 pet peeve it would be arrogance – but not to be confused with confidence. She says that confident people don’t need to be arrogant. Arrogance is typically a sign of a LACK of confidence.
Amy Bishop is from Princeton, KY, a small town in western Kentucky. She moved to Louisville to attend grad school at Spalding University and to be closer to her then boyfriend (now husband). She grew up in the church because she was a staff kid. Her mom was the administrative assistant at their church most of her life, so she volunteered with children’s ministry almost from the time she graduated to the youth group. Amy felt God’s call on her life to work with kids in ministry from a young age. It took her a while to come around to His plan and actually join a church staff, but she has always volunteered in children’s ministry.
Professionally, Amy is most passionate about helping kids develop a personal relationship with Jesus and helping parents be the primary faith teachers in their kids’ lives. Amy thinks all of this comes about through relationships. She tries to build strong relationships with parents and kids and attempt help foster relationships with each other so that they want to be at church. Personally, she is most passionate about her kids. She has 3 kids who are all different but amazing in their own ways!
If Amy was not following God’s call in her life, she might have followed her dream job as a child – sideline reporter for the NFL! She loves sports, especially football and especially the Pittsburgh Steelers. Amy’s #1 pet peeve and her desired superpower are connected. The #1 pet peeve is traffic – she doesn’t like the way a lot of people drive! Which gives way to her desired superpower of teleportation. Avoiding traffic would be nice and certainly take some stress off the day.
God called Mona to serve in spiritual formation in the local church more than 38 years ago, however, God called her to lead, teach, and love children long before then! Mona is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church and has served churches in Iowa, Illinois, and Tennessee. She received her Master of Christian Education degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. Her BA is in elementary education.
Mona and her husband, Ken, met at Wesley Foundation at the University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and were married in 1979. They have grown daughters. Melissa, and her husband, Matt, live in western Washington State and have a daughter, Madelyn, and a son, Marcus. Kimberly and her husband, Joe, live south of Chicago with their son, Oliver, a daughter, Lily, and their cats, Gabby and Elphie. Mona and Ken currently have two cats, Penuche and Oreo.
She was born and raised on a farm in Iowa. Mona likes college football (Go, Hawkeyes!) and the Chicago Cubs. She and Ken enjoy exploring new places together, reading, spending time with their family, cooking, and playing card and board games. Mona’s favorite Scriptures are Philippians 4:4-7 and John 14. It fills her heart and says it is comforting to know she may take anything to the Lord and that He is making sure she has a home with Him someday.
Gary grew up on a dairy farm near Edmonton, Kentucky. He entered the pastoral ministry from Beaumont UMC. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Psychology and Religious Studies. Gary has a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University.
God’s call on Gary’s life led him to pursue ordination in The United Methodist church. Gary took his first appointment in 1984 and has served a variety of congregations; rural, urban, and suburban. His congregations include Scottsville Circuit UMC in Scottsville, KY; State Street UMC (Associate) in Bowling Green, Ky; Epiphany UMC in Louisville, KY; Florence First UMC in Florence, Ky; St. Paul UMC in Louisville, Ky; and DS of the Heartland District.
Gary is most passionate about the church being open to everyone regardless of their station in life. His passion also extends to accepting people where they are and being patient with them as they discover Christ. The church’s job is not to push or pull people, but rather journey with them at their pace.
When Gary isn’t working, you’re likely to find him spending time with his family; his wife Tammy, their two sons Kyle and Caleb, and their two grandchildren Ryder and Anastasia. If he is not with family, he will be playing golf or attending a sporting event. Please don’t ever try to get on an elevator when Gary is trying to get off, this is his greatest pet peeve.
Nancy Tinnell is from Louisville, KY and grew up at Bethany United Methodist Church. In addition to Methodism, music was a constant in her life. Singing in the church led her to leading worship in church, which led to ordination and full time ministry.
The second half of her ministry has been spent serving in discipleship and spiritual formation ministries. She organizes our small group ministries and some of our missional efforts. Professionally, her passion is teaching the Bible and working with our Mobile Medical Ministry. Personally, she is most passionate about reading and reflecting. Someday she hopes to put those reflections on paper.
If Nancy was a fictional character, she would want to be Jane Eyre – the protagonist of the novel “Jane Eyre” by the English writer Charlotte Bronte. This character is described as passionate and strongly principled, values freedom and independence, has a strong conscience and is a determined Christian.
If Nancy could choose any superpower it would have to be the ability to time travel – just think about those vacations!
Trent is originally from northeast Indiana and got to Kentucky by way of Atlanta, GA. After graduating from college at Huntington University, he attended seminary at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. While in Atlanta he co-founded a new United Methodist Church called Eastside Church and spent 4 years as the Assistant Pastor of Worship and Discipleship. Trent met his wife Katie at the church plant, they worked together for two years and they joke that their first real argument was over Advent readings. Katie is also an ordained elder in the Kentucky Conference and in 2015 they moved to Kentucky to pastor churches here. Katie is serving as the head pastor of Buechel UMC.
Professionally, Trent is passionate about church being a welcoming and inclusive space, especially for young people. He gets excited when those who have felt disconnected or unwelcome in church find a place of welcome. Personally, he’s passionate about his family, the Indianapolis Colts, running, and camping!
When Trent’s not working, he enjoys spending time with Katie, running or hiking at the Parklands, exploring different parts of Louisville, playing piano, camping, gardening, or playing with their dog Wendell.
Emily Allen is from Louisville – yes a Louisville native! And she proudly proclaims, Go Cards! She has always been involved in the church growing up in VBS and youth group. When she was in college she served as a Children’s intern and felt her call to ministry during college.
Professionally, Emily is most passionate about seeing the “ah ha” moment in the life of young people – those moments where they see God acting in their loves and in the world. Personally, she is most passionate about her Chicago Cubs!
When Emily was growing up she wanted to be a chef – her youth minister in high school actually took her to see Emeril Lagasse cook on Good Morning America when he came to Louisville. When Emily is not working she is most likely at the Louisville Zoo with her 3 year old son William. And don’t you dare go to Emily’s house and leave dirty dishes in her sink, as that is her number one pet peeve!
Lee Twombly was born in Denver, CO, lived in Henderson, KY and Knoxville, TN before moving to Louisville the summer before entering the 7th grade.
He was raised in the church and some of his first memories are of participating in VBS and Christmas plays at First Methodist Church in Henderson. As an adult lay person, he served in essentially all the local church boards and committees and was trained as a Stephen Minister and Stephen Ministry Leader. His Stephen Ministry experience is what led him to finally answer the call to ordained ministry.
Professionally, Lee is most passionate about being present with those who need the assurance of God’s love in order that they might have restored hope. Personally, he is most passionate about his faith and personal relationship with Jesus.
As a kid, Lee wanted to grow up to be a Commanding Office of a submarine. He served in the Navy for many years before beginning his career as a pastor. Don’t show up late to an appointment with Lee, as his number 1 pet peeve is tardiness. That probably goes back to his days in the military. If Lee could be a fictional character he would choose Horatio Hornblower – a Napoleonic Wars era Royal Navy officer who is the protagonist of a series of novels by C.S. Forester.
Kristen Furches is originally from Upstate New York. She then lived in Virginia for 7 years after undergrad before God called her to full-time ministry, which led her to Belmont University in Nashville for a graduate degree and then on to Louisville and MUMC. In 6th grade, her piano teacher asked if she wanted to learn how to play the organ; a year later, she was hired as the organist at the Lutheran church down the street and has been a musician ever since.
Professionally, Kristen is most passionate about ‘the singing church’ and the deep roots the church has that can be found in our worship. Personally, Kristen loves to read and loves the peacefulness of being out in nature, even if it’s just sitting on her front porch watching the sunset, or in the backyard around the firepit.
As a kid, Kristen always wanted to be a mathematician. In undergrad she took coursework on the side in math, philosophy and symbolic logic. If she had not been called to ministry she probably would have pursued degrees in philosophical logic or methodology and taught at a university.
When Kristen is not working she is exploring the adventure of her life with her fiancé and his son, fixing something around the house, gardening, or playing with the dogs.
Andy Stearman is originally from Louisville (Go Cards!). He attended Eastern Kentucky University and graduated in 2014 with a degree in Broadcasting & Electronic Media. He never in a million years thought he would work for a church, much less the one he grew up attending. Rev. Nancy Tinnell officiated his wedding in 2017 and informed him of an opening – a few months later he started working at MUMC.
Professionally, Andy is most passionate about producing a quality product – whether that be graphics, videos, pictures, social media engagement, etc. Personally, he is most passionate about music and travel (16 countries and counting).
As a kid, Andy wanted to be a professional basketball player. That dream was short lived as he realized he was short and unathletic. When not working, you can most likely find Andy playing guitar and going to concerts with his wife Abbie. If he could have any superpower it would be the ability to turn invisible, but only when people aren’t looking.
Jennie Pepoon’s first home was in Centerfield, Kentucky in Oldham County. Her parents were serving at Mount Tabor United Methodist Church. From the beginning, the church has played a significant role in her life.
As the pastor’s kid, Jennie was often asked to sit in committees and councils as the youth representative. So from early on, she learned about the United Methodist Church from the inside-knowledge that later would be a blessing in my career.
It didn’t take long in college for her to figure out that the medical field was not for her. So, she switched to business and found a better fit. Just as she began to contribute to the working world, Jennie met her future husband, Dale, at a church potluck dinner.
Following graduation, Dale took an IT position in Florida where eventually their son, Josh, was born. Her next move took them to Indiana and she began working for their church as their financial secretary. That is when Jennie discovered her ‘perfect fit’! All of the church knowledge that she had acquired through the years was an asset every day. In addition to Indiana, Jennie has served churches in Ohio and Virginia. Throughout her career, she has personally witnessed God’s faithfulness. When she was offered the position at Middletown UMC, it was an answer to her prayer.
Lynelle Flora was a “Navy Brat” and had the opportunity to move around quite a bit. She came to Kentucky by way of: Pittsburgh to Rhode Island to Cuba to Maine, and back to Pittsburgh after college. She finally landed in Kentucky in 2014 when her previous job in logistics relocated her to Eminence, Kentucky.
Her grandfather is a retired Methodist Pastor and her mother has been the Minister of Music in a Methodist Church as long as she can remember. She has grown up with church as the center of her life and very happy to be part of the work here at MUMC.
Professionally and personally, Lynelle is most passionate about the church. She sites “Hymn #558 – We Are The Church,” and says if you have not sung/read this hymn, you should! She says God’s people are absolutely amazing. She gets very emotional seeing individuals with their unique gifts and personalities coming together to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Lynelle prefers to be outdoors – going on walks, riding bikes, kayaking, camping and taking road trips just about anywhere. Her german shepherd, Mable, goes on every adventure. If she could be any fictional character she would choose Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Polifax. Emily Polifax is an elderly lady who sought more meaning for her life and accidentally became a CIA spy. She is an unassuming and hilarious woman who is full of wonder and relishes in wacky adventures.
Jane Ryan was born in Glasgow, Kentucky but has lived in Louisville for 70 plus years. She worked at UofL NROTC for many years before becoming a stay at home mother when her daughter was born.
In 1980 she was blessed when she desperately needed a job. The minister at her church, Aldersgate UMC, spoke to the Louisville Conference Treasurer who needed a new secretary – she was hired. Jane worked for the Louisville Conference for 16 years before it was merged with the Kentucky Conference and became the Kentucky Annual Conference in 1996. She worked in the Conference Treasurers Office for 30 years and retired in 2010. She worked with 6 Treasurers and 6 Bishops over the years and was given a chance for a part-time job at Middletown UMC doing financial work.
She says the opportunity to continue serving the Lord like he had prepared me to do for so many years seemed like a good opportunity. It is amazing how the Lord works. Her goal in life was to be an Airline Stewardess and travel the world. But the Lord had other ideas for Jane. She met a wonderful man, got married and has served the Lord in many capacities over the years.
Kristen Clark graduated from the University of Louisville (Go Cards!) with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Later, she attended Campbellsville University where she received her Associates Degree in Child Development.
She has been married to her husband Chris for 21 years and they have three awesome children; Kylie, Cassidy and Alex. Kristen is involved with her children’s sports and enjoy watching them play field hockey, lacrosse and soccer. She also loves and adores her dog Barkley!
Kristen has taught preschool for over 10 years and is now entering her fifth year as Preschool Director of MUMP. She knew after her first day of teaching here, that this is where she was supposed to be. She believes that God brought her here because he has a bigger plan for her.
Karen Smith has two beautiful daughters, Amy and Carrie as well as three grandchildren – Peyton, Camryn and Rylee. All three grandchildren have attended the CDC where Karen is the Director.
Her passion is the education of children in a Christian environment and teaching in ways that prepare children for the future. She has always known God wanted her to teach children in a Christian setting and says God has opened doors for her and her family. When Karen was looking for a job in the Louisville area, she checked the local Sunday paper and the first ad that she saw was for the Lead Teacher at the Middletown United Methodist Child Development Center. Needless to say – she got the job and has ascended to the Director position.
For 18 years Karen has been the Director of the CDC and considers our school to be a ministry to her church, Middletown UMC. The CDC is providing a loving Christian foundation the children’s future lives are built upon.
Her dream is to live happily ever after with her friends and family and to ALWAYS be close to God (hopefully in Naples, Florida someday). Karen’s goal is to one day write a book about her amazing experiences with the children so that everyone would always appreciate the hope, joy and happiness that all the children bring to the world.
Vernon was born in Baltimore, Maryland and first came to Louisville to study piano performance and church music, earning a Masters degree in 1975. Almost 20 years later he returned to Louisville to finish his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1997.
He began to play for junior church when he was 10 years old, and has continued to serve as a church pianist for over 60 years. Along the way Vernon acquired a second Masters in education/administration. Later, he served as the headmaster for the Agape Christian School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he also taught kindergarten.
As a church pianist, it is his goal to present high quality music in worship and to draw congregations beyond music excitement to the spiritual truth of the text of each arrangement.
Kevin Vest is originally from New Market, Tennessee, a small town between Knoxville and Gatlinburg. After graduating college, he moved to Louisville to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Kevin grew up in a small Southern Baptist Church and was always fascinated by music, especially the piano. He received a piano for Christmas when he was 12 years old and started lessons – eventually leading him to play at his church. In his high school days his family changed churches – one that was short an organist. The Director of Music asked if he wanted to give it a shot and he has been playing organ in churches ever since.
Professionally, Kevin’s greatest passion is helping people. Whether it is through leading the organ during worship, helping someone with a personal problem, or figuring out a technical solution to an issue at his day job. Personally, his greatest passions are his kids, Matthew and Michaela. He loves watching them grow into loving, Christ-filled teenagers that are eager to serve and help others.
Growing up he always wanted to be a medical doctor and was actually a pre-medicine major his first two years of college before changing his major to religion and psychology.
If there was one thing Kevin wished people understood about him, it is that he is off-the-chart introverted. Social situations are not his forte but if you get him chatting in close quarters he is nice as can be.
Charles hasn’t filled out his bio yet. Don’t be like Charles…
Rick Smith was born and raised in Louisville’s west end. He is married to Donna F. Smith whom he dearly loves. He found his way to MUMC from his life long friend Charles Shepherd, the head custodian.
Most of his life he has spent working with the public. From being a delivery driver, to working with mentally disabled adults, to working in an assembly line machine shop, to shipping/receiving. Rick has always loved his jobs and loves working here at MUMC.
Personally, Rick is passionate about his two grandchildren – whom him and his wife take care of. He is a christian and was raised to love one another and to treat people fairly.
Phil Rowley and his family moved to Louisville from San Diego. They had been thinking for years that they should move out of California, and finally decided to take the plunge before his oldest daughter started high school. He bought a tiny vintage trailer and just set out across the country with no real destination. They looked at many different places, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma and just happened to land in Louisville on their way to somewhere else and immediately fell in love with the city.
His path into serving at churches started through music. Phil had been a professional musician for many years, playing with everyone from well known artist, to wedding bands, top 40 bands, jazz bands, musical theater, you name it. He was hired by a church in San Diego as they were starting a contemporary service. Over the next few years that contemporary service grew to where they were doing three services every week. He kept staying busy playing gigs around town as many as 8-10 per week, but found himself growing to be less and less satisfied doing those gigs. Phil started to realize that the church gig was his favorite part of the week. The worship leader noticed a change in him and started fostering his interest. She asked Phil to organize special events for the church and eventually asked him to fill in for her. Her and her husbands support lead to him to being a worship leader.
Jennifer grew up in Spencer County, KY and graduated from Spencer County High School in 1994 – GO Bears! “Once a Bear always a Bear”. After graduation she took a job working with children in a child care center and began volunteering at her church helping with Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School. Jennifer loves the Christian environment and that is how she was led to the Middletown United Methodist Child Development Center in 1999.
Jennifer is most passionate about helping children find their passions. She says that all of us are given gifts to use in ministering to others and not to keep these talents hidden as they greatly impact and benefit others.
When she is not at work you can find Jennifer spending time with her family. She has been married since October of 1994 and has two wonderful boys, Clay (2001) and Zack (2005). They love baseball! Her family attends Wakefield Baptist Church in Taylorsville, Kentucky where her husband is Deacon of the church.
“Do not neglect the gift that is in you.” 1 Timothy 4:14
Leslie grew up in Danville, KY and moved to Louisville after college. She has lived here over twenty years, mostly in Oldham County. Leslie found her love for God and God’s love for her at Aldersgate Camp and in youth group growing up. Her call to ministry began in college and she has served as a youth minister and pastoral care minister. She was a teacher for many years before becoming a local pastor and returning to seminary to complete her Masters in Divinity.
The greatest desire in Leslie’s ministry to to help people discover God’s deep love for them and the unique gifts God has given them to help serve the church and the world. Leslie’s greatest passion as a minister is helping people know and understand God’s infinite, amazing, healing love for them and helping them to understand and materialize this love. Her personal passion is being a mother to her daughters, Ella and Carrie. She says being their mom is her greatest joy.
When Leslie is not working you can likely find her hanging out with her daughters, hiking, camping, being outdoors, and enjoying nature or cheering on her girls at a horse show. If you want to stay on Leslie’s good side you better remember to refill the ice cube tray! It’s her #1 pet peeve! She says, “It seems obsolete now of days, but not with my cheap refrigerator! Nothing like going for a nice cold glass of tea and finding no ice cubes! If you love someone, fill up the ice trays after you use them!”
