Reverend Jerry Collins, Senior Pastor

Rev. Gerald (Jerry) Collins arrived at St. Paul in June, 2011. Bro. Jerry and his wife, Shawn (a registered nurse), have one daughter, and are originally from North Carolina. When they made the move to Arkansas in the mid-1980's, Jerry worked in a chaplaincy internship program at Baptist Medical Center.

In 1987, they moved from the Southern Baptist denomination to United Methodist membership, and he accepted an associate's appointment at FUMC in Conway. Since that period of time, Bro. Jerry has served in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Hazen/DeValls Bluff, Sherwood, and Morrilton.

Bro. Jerry possesses a pleasing sense of humor, and also a warm and friendly personality. He enjoys hobbies at home which include woodworking, music via band instruments, motorcycles, and reading.

Consensus is that Bro. Jerry delivers inspiring and thought-provoking sermons at the 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday services. You are cordially invited to attend our services on Sundays, and also special services during Advent and Lent, to worship and praise God with the friendly people of St. Paul. Come walk with us on a spiritual journey enlightened by God

Liz Wright, Director of Children and Families

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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

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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.

Suzie Van Patten, Director of Visitation

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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

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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!

Vicki Kellogg, Administrative and Financial Secretary

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Vicki Kellogg joined St. Paul in May 2011 as Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary. She was born and raised in Denver, and arrived in Little Rock in 1990. She has four adult children and eight grandchildren, whose activities keep her calendar full. A lifelong Episcopalian, Vicki attends St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where she chairs its Altar Guild, and is a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Visitor. For seven years she worked as Parish Administrator for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock, and for fifteen years at ALLTEL prior to that. Contact Vicki in her office at the church on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.