STAFF
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Michael and his wife, Esther have a son, Paul. Another baby will be born in January, 2021. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Senior Pastor.
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Michael and his wife, Esther have a son, Paul. Another baby will be born in January, 2021. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Senior Pastor.
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Michael and his wife, Esther have a son, Paul. Another baby will be born in January, 2021. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Senior Pastor.
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Michael and his wife, Esther have a son, Paul. Another baby will be born in January, 2021. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Senior Pastor.
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Michael and his wife, Esther have a son, Paul. Another baby will be born in January, 2021. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Senior Pastor.
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Michael and his wife, Esther have a son, Paul. Another baby will be born in January, 2021. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Senior Pastor.
SENIOR PASTOR
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Michael and his wife, Esther have a son, Paul. Another baby will be born in January, 2021. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Senior Pastor.
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Michael Park
Rev. Michael Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Philippine Christian University in the Philippines, a Master of Theology from Hyupsung Graduate School of Theology in South Korea, & a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Rev. Michael is very passionate about teaching the Scripture and challenging people to dream bigger and make a greater impact in their lives.
He truly believes the church exists to declare the name of Jesus and build a place called home for the many who do not have one. Wherever Pastor Michael goes, he loves reaching out new people, building up real, authentic, and genuine relationships with others, & creating a new culture where anyone can belong.
Michael and his wife, Esther have three beloved children, Paul, Matthew & Amy. Rev. Michael is currently serving First United Methodist Church of Chanute, KS as a Lead Pastor.
OFFICE SECRETARY
Ronda Phillips
Ronda began her journey with FUMC in the spring of 1998. Over the years she has come to know and love so many of the wonderful people who have walked through the doors and into her life. Her skills are constantly evolving and growing and she loves that. Challenges can be exciting!
She was fortunate to meet her soul mate at an early age which sidetracked her education to become a guidance counselor. She did manage to eventually earn a degree in Business Management. Prior to working at FUMC, she ran and operated 2 businesses. She was blessed with 3 wonderful children, who in turn have blessed her with 6 grandchildren.
Her passions include anything to do with science or science fiction and crochet. In fact, She absolutely loves learning! This includes learning more about everyone she encounters.
CHURCH TREASURER
Linda Jones
Linda Jones has served as treasurer since 2016. Linda grew up in Chanute and was raised in Chanute First United Methodist Church. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree from Pittsburg State University, and she is a Certified Public Accountant. She retired from Neosho County Community College after teaching accounting for 31 years and serving as Applied Science Division Chair.
She continues to teach accounting online for Johnson County Community College. Linda is married to Hal. They have one son, Ryan, who lives in Chanute with his wife, Tannah, and son, Beckett. Linda enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and she likes to travel. She is happy to be serving as treasurer so she can use her skills to help support the church’s mission.
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY
Amy Hendrickson
Amy was baptized and married at FUMC Chanute. She recently began the Youth Ministry Director position with the church. “I’m very excited about my new role in the church,” said Hendrickson. “I enjoy spending time with the youth celebrating their love for life and love for the Lord.” Amy has so many fond memories growing up in the church like great sermons by Rev. Wilbur Henderson and Jack and Marilyn Gregory, Ella Ranz’s gooey butter coffee cake very week at Sunday school, laughing with Jean Armstrong at bell choir, youth troupe/group with Carolyn Coates, Camp Chippewa and the UNDC trip. She looks forward to helping continue the strong tradition of great children’s and youth programming so today’s kids will have the same strong faith and great memories.
After living in Topeka for several years, Amy and her husband, Ross, decided to come home and raise their family in Chanute. They own MRH Insurance Group, Inc. and Amy teaches preschool at SONshine Preschool. They have two sons, Jack and Max. Jack is a student at Washburn University and Max is a 7th grader. In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Amy’s hobbies include helping her husband ranch in the Flint Hills, playing golf and laughing at her three dogs.
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Nicci Wiltse
Nicci was born and raised in Chanute Kansas. She is a long time member at the First United Methodist Church. She has her Bachelors of Science in Organization Management and Leadership and Associates of Science in Early Childhood Education. Nicci has been married for 34 years to Keith. They have two sons, Nick and Christian. A grandson Hudson, and another grandchild on the way. Years ago, Nicci was a Nursery Coordinator and a youth leader at our church. She has been working with all ages of children for over 25 years. She’s here to help our church grow and enhance our children’s ministry.
CHURCH PIANIST & ORGANIST
Terri Sue DeGeer
Terri Sue is a long-time resident of the Chanute/Erie area. She was one of the ‘Reinhardt kids’ who grew up going to Big Creek United Methodist Chapel east of Chanute. She first substituted as organist for 1st UMC in Chanute when in high school. Later, Terri Sue and Jim were married in this church since Big Creek Chapel is so small and they have a very large extended family. Jim and Terri Sue continue to live on the family farm and operate a registered Gelbvieh cattle operation. They have two daughters, Melissa and Staci. Melissa and her son Timothy live in Lawton, Oklahoma and Staci is in Wichita.
Professionally, Terri Sue is a school counselor, serving many years in the Humboldt school district. She is now the counselor at Erie High School, the same district where she attended school. Terri Sue plays piano and organ and enjoys many different styles of music. She truly believes God gave us music as a gift to feed our souls. She is blessed that He gave her the ability to share some of that gift with others!
CHURCH CUSTODIAN
Nora Lewis Barnum
Nora is a resident of Savonburg, Kansas. She grew up back east in New Jersey, moved to Kansas December of 2001. Nora got married to Richard Barnum on June 2, 2020. Combined they have six children. Four sons and two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family going on nature walks and riding their ATV’s in the country. They have four dogs and four cats. Nora enjoys cleaning and she is very excited to be part of the First United Methodist Church Family in Chanute, Kansas.
WORSHIP COORDINATOR
Koralyn Barkman
Koralyn Barkman grew up in the Thayer United Methodist Church, she has been a nurse for 23 years. Koralyn is married to Justin Barkman; they have five children. Koralyn enjoys listening to Christian music and putting together the church media for Sunday services; she wants the media to be beneficial to those who are worshiping God! Other ways Koralyn likes to further our ministry by helping with VBS and Awana when she is not in school.