Reverend Blake Bradford, Senior Pastor

revbradford@gmail.com

Rev. Bradford was appointed to St. Paul United Methodist Church in June 2009. He previously served four years at Wesley UMC in Russellville, five years as associate pastor of Texarkana First UMC , and two years as student associate pastor at University Park UMC in Denver, Colorado.

Blake grew up in Little Rock and attended Hendrix College in Conway (B.A., Religion, 1996). After graduation, Blake studied in England at Oxford University's Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. He read medieval and Reformation theology for his first master's degree at Vanderbilt University (M.A., History of Christian Thought, 1998), and earned his master of divinity degree at Iliff School of Theology in Denver (M.Div., 2000). Blake is currently working towards a Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min) at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology in Dallas.

In addition to his congregational duties, Blake serves on the Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. In his position as the Residency Committee Co-Chair, Blake leads our program to support and evaluate those seeking to be ordained in our conference. He also serves on the conference Ministerial Effectiveness Task Force and several district committees.

Blake and his wife, Kerri, were married in 1997 and have two young children, Gabrielle and Micah. Kerri is a museum educator.

Rev. Bradford's mission as pastor is to ensure the people of St. Paul are equipped to do ministry. You are invited to worship at St. Paul on Sundays at 8:30 in the Annex building and at 10:45 in the Sanctuary.

Liz Wright, Director of Children and Families

mizliz1@sbcglobal.net

Liz Wright (or "Miz Liz") has lived in Little Rock since the 1960's. She has twin sons and three grandchildren, and has been a member of St. Paul since 1975. She obtained both her undergraduate and master's degrees in early childhood education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Miz Liz has been St. Paul's fulltime Director of Children's and Family Ministries since 1995. Prior to this, she was a kindergarten teacher in the Little Rock School District for 20 years. Liz has held several appointments or responsibilities in our Methodist Conference, including: Children's Coordinator, Conference Council on Ministries; the Board of Methodist Camp Tanako; and Dean of Y.E.E. Camp at Tanako. She is a certified instructor for "Created by God," which is a course designed to teach human sexuality from a Christian perspective. Among her duties at the church are helping with management and supervision of St. Paul's child care center. She is a Leader for "Duty to God" religious emblems with Boy Scout Troop 30, which for decades has been sponsored by St. Paul UMC. Liz also spends volunteer hours as a victim advocate for the Little Rock Police Department.

Roger Rasico, Director of Youth

raseekco777@aol.com

Roger Rasico has been the youth director at St. Paul since 1998. A native of Arkansas, Roger has an undergraduate degree from Henderson State University in Accounting and in a 1988 graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law. Roger is an attorney in the Pulaski County Juvenile Court as well as part-time youth minister. Having come to Christ later in life, Roger offers a fresh perspective to youth ministry. Roger has been working with the youth and providing guidance on their spiritual journeys. He strives to provide a balanced youth ministry with programs, activities, service and mission projects, meaningful spiritual lessons, and development with the goal of spiritual growth and Christian fellowship.

Mike Smith, Director of Discipleship

msmith1952@sbcglobal.net

Mike Smith is married to Nancy Kossler Smith. They were married at St. Paul Church in 2003. Mike has two children. Gina, who is married to Matt Easterling, lives in Pea Ridge, Arkansas and Jared, who is married to Jessica Lewis Smith, lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mike's stepson, Joseph, was confirmed at St. Paul, and is a freshman at UALR. Mike earned an undergraduate degree in Religious Education from Ouachita Baptist University. He joined the staff at St. Paul as Minister of Discipleship in August 2006 and works at the church on Wednesdays and Fridays. Mike's primary responsibilities include coordinating the Every Member in Ministry, facilitating/teaching small group studies, assisting in visitation and occasionally preaching. Mike's response to a call to ministry led him to his employment at St. Paul. Mike is currently enrolled in the Master's of Divinity Degree Program at Memphis Theological Seminary.

Suzie Van Patten, Director of Visitation

suzievp@sbcglobal.net

Suzie Van Patten joined the staff of St. Paul as Minister of Visitation in August 2006. Suzie is married to Ben Van Patten and has a stepdaughter, Tracy Elizabeth. They have been members of St. Paul since 2003. After growing up in Hope, Arkansas, Suzie has lived in Little Rock for the past 30 years. Her ministry will address the needs of the senior members of St. Paul including visiting the homebound members, nursing home residents and senior hospital patients. She is also active in the Me Third Ministry, UMW, and will be visiting with the senior adult Sunday school classes. Suzie's normal workday is Wednesday, but is available to serve the senior members of St. Paul anytime there is a need.

Bob Bidewell, Director of Music Ministries

bbidewell@sbcglobal.net

Bob Bidewell, Director of Music and Organist, joined the Staff of St. Paul UMC in July of 2007. He has served as a church musician for over 30 years for various congregations in Jonesboro, Paragould, Blytheville and North Little Rock. A life-long Methodist, Bob has a Master of Music Education degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He is the State Chair of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers and continues to serve on the AGEHR Area VI Board of Directors. Bob is also a member of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts and the American Guild of Organists. He is a member of the Little Rock Wind Symphony and serves as Librarian for that group. Our Music Ministry is open to all and we welcome new members to our Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir!

Sherry Hankins, Administrative and Financial Secretary

stpaulumc@sbcglobal.net

Sherry came to work at St. Paul in February 2008 where she is the administrative assistant and financial secretary. She is a graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Sherry and her husband, Bruce, have been married since April 1998. They enjoy traveling and hiking.