Staff
Joe Easley – Senior Pastor
Since Sept. 2000, Joseph Easley has been the Senior Pastor of Central UMC. He has served as pastor in United Methodist Churches in the southern half of Indiana since 1972, when he graduated from seminary and received his first full-time appointment. Pastor Joe and his wife Patricia have been married since 1969 and have two adult sons. “Patti” is a psychiatric social worker who is in private practice as a mental health therapist. Pastor Joe has a passion for ministry with people, for teaching and preaching a message of hope and healing, a zeal to open the richness of the Bible to understanding so others may meet God as revealed in Jesus Christ, a desire to help people come to—and grow in—a relationship with Jesus Christ, and a commitment to shepherd a congregation to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8) Pastor Joe also believes that God want us to enjoy “abundant life” in the created world, and that God’s gifts include loving relationships, deep friendship, joy and laughter. Among other things, personally, he likes music, reading, golf and driving with the top down, when Patti will let him have her car.
Nancy Reid – Director of Family Ministries
Nancy’s primary responsibilities include the Children’s Ministries, Power and Tutoring, and some senior ministries. Nancy has a B.A. degree from the University of Evansville. While at Central she has served as an officer on the District Board of United Methodist Women, on the District Council on Ministries and on the Board of Campus Ministries. She has two adult children and is grandmother to Katy and Drew.
Mike Warneke – Director of Outreach Ministries
Mike is a new import to the Evansville area, moving here in January of 2009 from Quincy, IL. He brought with him his wife Abby of 8 years, Gideon who is a wonderful little four year old, and their newest little man Abel, who will be two in June. Mike graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2001 with a degree in Religion. Mike has a great love for white water rafting, reading, travel and service. He recently served with a Sweet Sleep Team building beds in Kampala, Uganda at two different orphanages, and can’t wait to go back.
Penny Staples – Child Care Director
Penny is very excited to be the director of Central Child Care. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Indiana and holds an Indiana State Teaching License. She is presently working on attaining her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. Penny is married to her husband Alan. They have been married for 29 years and have two children. Click here to visit the Central Child Care website!
Lisa Miner – Administrative Assistant
Lisa is from northern Illinois and has lived in Evansville for the past 23 years. She has been married to Scott for 28 years and has a daughter Christie, 26 years old, who is married to Aaron Henson and a son, Daniel, who is 23 years old. She has assisted her husband with their irrigation repair business, Lawn Keepers, since 1997. She came to Central after working for the Red Cross for 5 ½ years and has been the Administrative Assistant at Central since December 2005. Other than spending time with her family, her favorite joys are tending her flowers, reading and attending Bethel Pentecostal Church.
Abby Warneke – Youth Director
Hi! My name is Abby Warneke and I’m very excited to fill the position of Youth Director here at Central. I am married to Mike and we have two boys, Gideon and Abel. I graduated from Hannibal-LaGrange College with a degree in Human Services and a minor in Missions. I have worked as a drug/alcohol counselor, a child development specialist, and am now currently a stay-at-home mom. While at our previous church in Quincy, Illinois, I volunteered alongside Mike with the youth group. I am eager to once again have the chance to work with youth and am excited at the opportunities in the future.
Patti Wright – Casual Service & Children’s Music Coordinator
Patti Wright has a Master of Arts in Education and 24 years experience teaching music K-12 in area public schools. Serving as Director of Education and Experience at the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville and teaching prospective teachers at the University of Southern Indiana keeps her busy during the week. Active in the music department at Central most of her adult life, Patti enjoys working with the Children’s Choir and Youth Band in addition to coordinating and leading music for weekly Contemporary Worship Service. Last but certainly not least, Patti is the mother of two fantastic children and two incredibly gifted and beautiful granddaughters!
Charlene Smith – Business Administrator
Charlene has worked at Central Child Care for 13 years. She has had the opportunity to work with some wonderful teachers and staff. Her job was combined with the church in June 2010. The church staff and members have made her feel very welcome to the church! It has been a great challenge for her to learn all of the responsibilities in this new position. Charlene and her husband Eugene have been married for 16 years and have two beautiful girls Brittani & Brooke. Charlene has attended Ivy Tech Community College and would like to continue her education in the near future.
Letta Fraccaro – Director of Music
Carol Crabtree – Parish Nurse Central UMC is proud to have a Parish Nurse as a vital part of its staff. Carol Crabtree donates her time and serves in many ways. A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse with additional training in holistic ministry. Our Parish Nurse offers blood pressure checks and help with interpreting doctor’s orders, upon request. However, Carol’s main focus has become keeping the sick and the elderly connected to their church family. She visits the home-bound, the hospitalized, and those in nursing homes. She also arranges greeting cards for the holidays and phone calls as appropriate.
Russell Daugherty & Kenneth Chandler – Custodians
