About.

On August 15, 2018, a six-point charge consisting of Forest United Methodist Church, John Stewart United Methodist Church,  Marseilles United Methodist Church, Salem United Methodist Church, Wesley Chapel, and Wharton United Methodist Church was established.  In January 2022 Patterson United Methodist Church was added to the charge to make it now a seven-point charge.

Our Pastors

Pastor Johnny Phillips, Jr. 
Email: jzp1956@yahoo.com  

I am from originally from Mississippi. I was raised primarily in Florida. I have no brothers or sisters. My mom was a 16 year cancer survivor and past in 1985. She was from Mississippi. My dad worked in wholesale marketing. He traveled the South for 60 years and past in 2010 at the age of 83. He was from Louisiana. Both of my parents were keen interpreters of reality. God used them both to help guide my life in many ways. 
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I have done the work of a pastor for 32 years. I have served churches, located in small towns and large cities, in Florida and Ohio. I have a BA in Bible and a minor in Systematic Theology from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. In December of 1999, I received an M Div. from United Seminary in Dayton. I became an Elder in full connection in 2003. I have served UM churches in greater Cincinnati since 1996.

Lynn and I will be married 35 years this year in November. We have two children, Sara and Calvin.  We are also proud grandparents of a grandson!
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Lynn has worked largely in childcare. She has a BA and M.Ed. from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Working more recently as an Early Childhood Interventionist Lynn has touched many young lives. Lynn was born in Lima, Ohio. She was raised in St Louis and graduated high school in Detroit area. Her parents are from Springfield, Ohio. They now live in Gainesville, Florida. She has a brother and sister. 

I am a history buff. I enjoy cooking, particularly Cajun food from south Louisiana. I read as much as I can. I find great joy in doing the work of ministry.  My favorite scripture is Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes".
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Pastor Doug Pummell
Email: doug.pummell@gmail.com

Pastor Doug Pummell grew up in a strong Christian home. His family was active in the life of the church. Strongly supporting the church was a way of life for his family. On April 9, 1988 Doug met Sue. After several years of dating the two were married on March 20, 1993. Doug and Sue have two children Jacquelyn and Tyler. They enjoyed raising a family together that put God in the center of their lives and on their social calendars. Doug and Sue recently celebrated the wedding of both of their children. They now claim to have four children with the addition of son-in-law CJ Naples and daughter-in-law Megan Pummell (Hicks).

On June 12, 1992 Doug graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. After graduating Doug served in the United States Air Force until 1995. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force, he worked for the State of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Adult Parole Authority until his state retirement on August 15, 2018. During this time, he also worked for a local school district coaching football and basketball. Doug was also employed at John Stewart from 2011 to 2015 serving as the youth director.

​After several years of prayer and discernment in 2015 Doug answered the call of the Lord and became a Local Licensed Pastor. He was appointed part time to the Wyandot-Hardin Charge. The charge included the churches Forest, John Stewart, and Wharton. On August 15, 2018 Doug accepted a full time appointment to the newly formed Upper River Ministries Charge. This included the churches of Forest, John Stewart, Marseilles, Wesley Chapel, Salem, and Wharton. Doug and Sue will continue to follow the call of God and look forward to continuing working to help make disciples for Jesus. 

Pastor Betsy Bowen
Email:  farmit@udata.com

Pastor Betsy Bowen  started serving the Upper River Ministries in August 2018.  That is when she  answered God's call to become a pastor.  She and her husband Jeff are long times members of JSUMC.  

Pastor Betsy and Jeff have 2 adults children, Matthew and Jillian.  Matthew and his wife Cheryl have 4 children:  Cole, Clayton, Melanie and Walter.  Jillian and her husband Travis have 2 children:  Levi and Adriane.

Betsy has a passion for the history of the Wyandot Mission Church and enjoys sharing it with others.  A few of her other passions include genealogy and quilting.  One of her favorite scriptures is Romans 8:38-39  "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

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