Staff

Rev. Brad McMullen, Pastor

Pastor Brad came to Bethany in July, 2009, along with his wife Donna, and their children, three year old Ella and Luke, nine months. Pastor Brad was born in Indianapolis and grew up in the Midwest before moving to Northern Virginia at age 12. He went to college at James Madison University where he studied social work. After college Brad worked with teenagers as a substance abuse counselor when he (again) heard God's call to parish ministry.

Brad completed his seminary education at Duke University. Before coming to Bethany, he served as the associate pastor at Mount Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA. Outside the local church, he has been involved in Chrysalis/Emmaus ministries and is on the board of directors for the JMU Wesley Foundation.

What are you passionate about?
The power of the gospel to change lives, preaching, missions, my children and Duke basketball.

What is your favorite Bible verser?
"[God said,] 'For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.'" -Habakkuk 1:5

Favorite Movie?
Hoosiers.

Who inspires you?
Jesus, John Wesley and my former youth pastor Pat.

What was your childhood ambition?
To grow taller than my dad, to become a professional athlete, and to make a lot of money (1 of 3 isn't too bad!).

What was your first job?
Bus boy at Chesapeake Bay Seafood House.

What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible)?
Freedom for Ministry by Richard John Neuhaus and The Irrestible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.

How do your spend your free time?
Playing basketball, working out at the gym, golfing, reading, hiking, making pancakes with Ella on Saturday mornings.

jackiedunsmore@comcast.net

Jackie Dunsmore, Director of Youth Ministries

Jackie is a native of Weyers Cave and a lifetime member of Bethany. She and her husband Mark were high school sweethearts. They built a home on her family farm and together have three children: Bradley, Katie and Carrie. She attended JMU for undergraduate school. In the past she has taught physical education and is currently a school counselor at John Wayland Elementary in Bridgewater.

At Bethany she has served in children's and youth ministry in some capacity for as long as she can remember (she says someday she may grow up and work with adults, but she hopes not!). She loves music and has always enjoyed participating in the choir and in recent years as a member of our praise and worship team.

What are you passionate about?
JESUS, my family, the BUMS (nickname for our youth), farming, music and sports!

What is your favorite Bible verse?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:11-13

Favorite movie?
The Sound of Music (isn't it everyone's?).

Who inspires you?
Jesus Christ, my family, the BUMS, Pastor Brad, Billy Graham, Beth Moore and persecuted Christians.

What was your childhood ambition?
To be a scientist or the first woman president.

What was your first job?
Summer recreation leader.

What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible)?
Mere Christianity and other C.S. Lewis books, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, and Goodnight Moon.

How do you spend your free time?
What free time? I love farming, raising sheep and cows with my family. I love any outdoor activity, watching sporting events, cooking and hanging out with the present and past BUMS.

kpollack@idmtrucking.com

Kathleen Pollack, Praise& Worship Leader

I can honestly say that I had a tremendously interesting childhood. My father, Bill Davis, was a career Army man and when he married my mother, Shirley, they were stationed in Taipei, Taiwan, where I was born. I was blessed to have lived in Japan for 3 years, an experience that I remember fondly. We didn't attend church regularly as a family. But when I was 14 years old, I started attending Grottoes United Methodist Church. I was involved in the youth group, sang in the choir and attended most church activities. I attended different churches after I left to go to college. Since then, I've been involved in the music ministry, Bible school programs and teaching Sunday School at Bethany.

What are you passionate about?
Music and worship.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
"I lift my eyes up to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." -Psalm 121:1

Favorite Movie?
Remember the Titans (I have watched it many times but still get inspired by it!)

Who inspires you?
Many people in my church family and some famous folk like Beth Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman.

What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to be an actress.

What was your first job?
Babysitting when I was 14 years old.

What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible)?
Upper Room devotional books have daily influence.

How do your spend your free time?
What free time I have, I spend with friends and family doing whatever we feel like doing. I love hiking and anything outside.

Dale Roller, Praise & Worship Leader
dmroller1@comcast.net

butlerjt@verizon.net

Terri Butler, Choir Director

Terri says "Hello" to her new Bethany family. She looks forward to getting to know you, serving you and serving with you!

Terri is married to Jim Butler. She and Jim have a blended family with five children: Twyla Butler, a senior marketing major at Radford University; Sara Willard, a junior music education major at James Madison University; Cecilia Butler, a sophomore at New River Community College transferring to Radford in Fall 2010; Kienan Willard, a senior at Turner Ashby High School, hoping to attend JMU this fall but already accepted to Bridgewater College and Eastern Mennonite University -- yippee! and Arthur Butler, a sophomore at Turner Ashby High School.

Terri was born and has lived in this area most of her life. She grew up on a dairy farm in Port Republic, VA. She graduated from Montevideo High School and James Madison University where she majored in music education. Presently she teaches elementary music at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Harrisonburg. She has been a Presbyterian all of her life and has served at First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, and Tinkling Spring Presbyterian and has been a church musician for 20 years.

What are you passionate about?
Family, reading, composing new texts to familiar hymns.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
"Nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:39

Favorite movie?
The Sound of Music

Who inspires you?
My husband and children.

What was your childhood ambition?
I have always wanted to be a teacher and feel very blessed to do what I love.

What was your first job?
My first paid job was as a waitress in college. Before that, I had a non-paying job as a milk maid. My first professional position was at Broadway High School teaching choral music.

What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible)?
Mere Chrisitianity by C. S. Lewis.

How do you spend your free time?
Enjoying my family, reading and biking with Jim - we have a tandem road bike.

patl@rica.net

Pat Lamb, Lay Minister of Visitation

Pat was born March 5, 1931 in Takoma Park, MD. After his mother died the following year, he went to live with his Grandmother in Highland County, VA. He moved back to Maryland in 1943 to be with his father and new step-mother. There he attended Fourth Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. At age 15, Pat met Jesus as his Savior and his future wife, Lois.

Together he and Lois had one son, a daughter-in-law and three grandsons. Pat became a deacon and later an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady, NY. He and Lois were children's missionaries for 20 years.

What are you passionate about?
To know God and share His love with others and share His Word and love with children.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
Many, but lifelong one is . . . "Trust in the Lord and with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." -Proverbs 3:5 and 66

Favorite movie?
Friendly Persuasion and Sergeant York, both starring Gary Cooper

Who inspires you?
Dr. Dean Simpson, Director of Helping Hands Ministries, Inc.

What was your childhood ambition?
To play major league baseball.

What was your first job?
Gas station attendant in Washington, DC.

What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible)?
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

How do you spend your free time?
Visiting with friends, Bible study, watching and listening to teaching DVD's and tapes, playing with and caring for pets and watching sporting events.

bethanyumc@ntelos.net

Jan Root, Church Secretary

Born in Champaign, IL on April 6, 1949, Jan is the oldest of five, with three brothers and one sister. She was raised in the Lutheran Church and went to Concordia Lutheran College in Bronxville, NY. Jan worked at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Southern Maryland from 1983-2008, first as a preschool teacher/director, then as parish administrator. She worked for eight different priests/pastors of all shapes, sizes and genders! In 2008, Jan moved to Virginia to live with her daughter and son-in-law (and several cats!). She also has a son and daughter-in-law in Morgantown, WV. No grandchildren as of yet.

What are you passionate about?
Reading and cooking.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." -Matthew 7:12

Favorite movie?
Any musical.

Who inspires you?
My 84 year-old very independent and energetic mother!

What was your childhood ambition?
To be a teacher.

What was your first job?
Library aide sorting and shelving books.

What is the most influential book in your life (other than the Bible)?
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck.

How do your spend your free time?
Reading and trying new recipes.

mikesell@ntelos.net

Phil & Ruth Ann Mikesell, Sextons

Phil and Ruth Ann were born in Michigan. They met at Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music in Grand Rapids, MI. They were married in 1963 near Caro, MI, Ruth Ann's hometown. After a short course at Michigan State University, they worked for Dairy Herd Improvement Association for about 3 1/2 years. Their first born, daughter Laura, was practically born in a barn! In 1965 Phil began working in a factory (TRW) in Portland, MI and part-time in home construction. Their son Dale was born in 1969 in Owosso, MI. On their own, Phil and Ruth Ann built two different homes.

The Mikesells were co-chairpersons of missions at Bethany for 10 years. They have been on 11 mission trips while at Bethany and have done local mission work here as well. They have also served as Vacation Bible School teachers.

What are you passionate about?
Phil: Family, missions and wood working.
Ruth Ann: Family and missions.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
Phil: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Ruth Ann: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Favorite movie?
Field of Dreams.

Who inspires you?
Phil: Ruth Ann
Ruth Ann: Phil

What was your childhood ambition?
To stay alive and get out of town.

What was your first job?
Phil: Selling garden seeds and the Grit Magazine.
Ruth Ann: Babysitting since I was 12 years old.

How do you spend your free time?
We are retired, so we don't have a lot of spare time on our hands! We really enjoy camping, but we don't get go often enough.