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Dave Blystone, Pastor Although I was raised in a Christian home, I did not come to faith in Christ until I was 25. At that time, I was an engineer at Cummins in Columbus. A few years later, God called me to pastoral ministry, so I became a ‘recovering engineer.’ I served a number of other churches in southern Indiana before being appointed to Asbury in the summer of 2011. My passion is helping people take the next step in their spiritual journey with Jesus Christ. I enjoy photography, bluegill fishing, mission trips, most technical things, and hiking with my wife, Karen. I also enjoy spending time in Israel, seeing and learning more about the Holy Land. I led a group on a trip to Israel in 2015, and will be leading another trip in March of 2018. (My blog about the trip can be found here.) I met my wife, Karen, when I coached her women’s slow pitch softball team. I knew she was special at that very first practice. It took her a little longer to discover how special (not the word everyone uses!) I am. We have three children, Christopher (married to Molly), Erin, and Nate. We also have granddaughters, Zoey, Hannah, and MacKenzie. As a family, we enjoy vacationing together at the beach at Topsail Island, NC. Favorite Food: One of my rules is, “Never pass up a reuben.” |
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Dave Barnes, Worship Director I have been a worship pastor for almost 40 years, and have served at Asbury since Feb. 2013. I’m old enough to appreciate the traditional worship style of our 8:45am service and LOVE directing the Asbury Celebration Choir. My passion is for contemporary worship and was the principal reason I was called to Asbury. One of my favorite times of the week is rehearsing with our worship band and praise team for our 11:00am contemporary service. We are blessed with awesome musicians! I have been married to my best friend, Coleen for 43 years. We met in the nursery at church and started dating in middle school. We have two daughters: Candice, who lives in Washington, D.C with her husband, Jared and our grandson, Jude; and Capri, who lives with her husband, Adam in Columbus, OH. They also are the parents of 3 grandsons… Alex, Aaron and Andrew. Favorite Food: Pizza |
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Jason Shemanski, Children and Family Ministry Director I am married and have a 2 year old son and a 3 year old daughter. Favorite Food: Pizza |
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Kit Akins, Children’s Morning Out Director I was first introduced to both Asbury United Methodist Church and Children’s Morning Out (CMO) as a parent. My younger children attended the program while I volunteered in my older daughter’s classroom. I loved the program so much that our family soon joined the church. I served on the CMO Board of Directors for several years before taking on the roll as director. My husband, Mark, and I have three children – Whitney, Kaydee, and Max. We also have a sweet granddaughter, Oaklyn Danielle. We live in Columbus and enjoy spending time with our family, going to the movies, hiking, and traveling. Favorite Food: Popcorn |
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Jennifer O’Connell, Administrative Secretary My Journey with Asbury began in the summer of 2002, and I have the privilege to serve as the Administrative Secretary. I came to know Jesus as my personal savior on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1980. Wow! What a difference Jesus has made in my life. It is my joy to serve Him thru Asbury and in this beautiful community. I am married and have two adult children and our hometown is in Columbus. I love to read, fish, and spend time with my family! My favorite season is summer (I love warm weather!) I am a breast cancer survivor and I give Jesus all praise!! Favorite Food: Pizza |
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Ed Bruenjes, Organist I was born on a farm in Kansas, but grew up in St. Louis, MO. I moved to Indiana in 1972 to attend Indiana University School of Music and major in organ. I’ve been a resident of Indiana ever since. I became the organist at Asbury in 1973 and also have responsibilities accompanying the choir and directing the handbell choir. I have 2 daughters: Erica and her husband, David, live in Colorado. Krista and her husband, Dave, lives in Michigan. Favorite Food: Ice cream |
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Shawn Wadell, Financial Bookkeeper My husband, two children and I moved from New York to Columbus over fifteen years ago. I still miss the many NY hills and lakes, but love the beautiful Indiana sunsets and the Mill Race Park river walk. I have worked and volunteered with a variety of non-profit organizations, and joined the AUMC staff in 2008 as the financial bookkeeper. Visiting with family and friends, traveling with my husband, researching family history (and walking our two dogs) are how I like to spend most of my non-work hours in life. Favorite Food: Blackcaps |