Member of Lyndon UMC and lifelong Methodist. Husband Don, three daughters, Laura (Jon), Alicia (Jason), Lisa- lost her battle with breast cancer in 2022. 8 grandchildren ranging from ages 29-7. Hobbies are playing piano and reading Science Fantasy novels.
Jim and his wife, Donna, have eight children who have produced a wonderful set of
grandchildren all of whom bring joy to our lives. He is involved in the community of Kimball, Nebraska and serves as President of the Kimball Health Services Board of Trustees. He chaired the capital campaign and worked with the hospital and clinic staff in the design, financing, and building of a new hospital that opened in February of 2024. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Public Works which oversees the city utilities. As enjoyable and challenging as these boards are, much more gratification comes from serving God through serving and supporting others in need. His faith grew and intensified with each course completed to fulfill the
requirements of becoming a Certified Lay Speaker. However, the continual hunger to do more and reach outside of the local congregation and community as a part of the UMC Connection has created a strong desire to explore new frontiers with the hope that his spiritual gifts will be used to enhance lay ministry programming. The goal is to work with others as we employ and deploy effective ways to encourage others to boost their Christian faith and ministry through UMC Lay Servant Ministries.
I was born and raised in Beatrice, NE and was a member of the Lutheran Church, where I attended worship, Sunday School, and was confirmed and married there. I attended Southeast Community College and Concordia University. I joined the United Methodist Church after I married Dan Spearow. My husband has been a United Methodist pastor for 30 years. We have two daughters, two sons-in-law, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I became a Certified Lay Servant in 2002 and continued taking lay speaking classes over the years and became a Certified Lay Minister in 2019. I became a DSA in 2018 when I began serving Clarks UMC and Pierce Chapel UMC. I recently began my 7th year as pastor of these two churches. I became a District Director of Lay Servant Ministry in 2020.
My name is Cindy Heller. I am married to Joe Heller, and we have been blessed with 7 grown children with spouses, and 12 grandchildren plus one on the way. Joe and I live in Jetmore, Kansas. We are members of the United Methodist Church and are currently serving in the circuit ministry program at Hanston UMC as Lay Speakers. Ministry has been a lifelong passion of mine, being privileged to have been born into a Christian family and attending church for my whole life. My desire to serve was intensified after a period of devastation at the age of 15yrs, when I was involved in a car wreck with my Mom. This wreck took her life and left me in a coma for several months. After this tragic time, I ran back to my childhood church (my comforter), where I was welcomed with open arms, and given a New Job as a Sunday School teacher. Then, several years later, I was blessed to begin working as the church secretary, having served in the secretary position for around 20 years now. My hobbies include spending time with my family, and teaching them life skills like sewing, cooking, crafting and most dear to my heart would be spending time with and learning about all sorts of animals. I am excited about being offered the position of district director for the Lay Servant Ministries, and I am looking forward to learning more ways to serve my Lord while helping others grow in their own walks of service and ministry. I am very passionate about my relationship with Jesus, and I very much want to help others know His Love for them.
Mark is honored to serve as the Eastern Nebraska LSM District Director. He is deeply committed to being a light for Christ, fostering spiritual growth, and nurturing fellowship within the community. Mark hopes that sharing his personal journey and history can be a source of healing and inspiration, helping others deepen their relationship with God and fellowship with one another. He is passionate that UMC is a place for everyone to belong and be loved. No exception. For the past five years, Mark has been an active member of First United Methodist Church in Omaha, where he faithfully serves in various capacities, always answering the call to support both the church and the broader community. Mark and his husband, Dave, are preparing to celebrate 25 years of marriage. Together, they have a daughter, Madison, who has just begun her college journey. The family, originally from Southern Illinois, loves to travel and explore new places and cultures. Mark is excited to work with the pastors, laity, and congregations across the Eastern Nebraska District, and looks forward to building strong connections within the communities on his journey in laity.
Whitney Weyeneth is a military spouse, a mother to five, a seminarian, director of a non-profit, on the Deacon track to ordination in the Great Plains UMC, and excited to serve as the North Central District Lay Director. She is passionate about allowing the laity to explore their gifts within the ministry, grow confident in their calls, and work side-by-side with clergy to expand God's kingdom. She believes that when laity and clergy collaborate, the body of Christ is fuller to create and equip disciples, care for God's world, and better provide inclusive spaces for all people to be welcomed into God's family.
Hello! My name is Katie Ostlund and I’m so grateful to be serving as your Southeast Nebraska District LSM Director. I am very happily married to Ed Ostlund, and am a member of Saint Paul UMC in Lincoln where he serves as an Associate Pastor and the UNL Campus Pastor. We have a young son, Beau, who is just the biggest blessing in our lives. Professionally, I work in clinical research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In addition to this I worked as the Director of Family Ministries at St. Paul’s UMC from September 2018 to September 2021 and then as the Children’s Minister at Waverly First UMC from September 2021 until August 2023 when I had my son. I also served as a Stephen’s Minister in Papillion and a Caring Congregations Minister in Waverly. I love to teach and have taught many church classes for both youth and adults, including several years of confirmation. I have a Master’s degree in Teaching with an emphasis on the Adult and Non-Traditional learner, which has been an invaluable resource for me in the church setting. I am very excited to be able to share what I know in this role and also to learn from others. I am excited to help in any way I that I am able to equip those in my community for discipleship and spiritual growth!