The businesses advertised on this site are owned by church members or supported by the church.
Meet the First Methodist Staff
(Please click on a picture to send an email to that person)
Rev. David P. Orr, Senior Minister As the Senior Minister of FUMC, David offers his fresh purpose driven leadership style and commitment to making disciples for Jesus Christ. David has served in all levels of the United Methodist Church of Arkansas. Before coming to Fort Smith,he most recently served as the Fayetteville District Superintendent and Sr. Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Springdale. David's love of God, His Church, and for people is unwavering. David has been at FUMC since the summer of 2001. David is a 1977 graduate of Arkansas State University and 1980 graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, Tennessee. David and his wife, Janie, have two children and four grandchildren. Just ask to see the pictures!
Rev. Beth Turner, Associate Minister Rev. Beth Turner is a graduate of Henderson with a BA in Psychology. She taught school for 12 years and after receiving her Masters in counseling and additional hours in Psychology, she worked for Counseling Associates, which is a community mental health center, where she eventually became Director of all six counties outpatient services.
When Beth felt the call to enter full-time ministry, her local church supported her by hiring her as a part-time assistant to the pastor. She attended a license to preach school and was appointed to Pottsville UMC as an interim local pastor. She later enrolled in Candler School of Theology and graduated in May of 2005 with her MDIV. Beth finished her studies at seminary with an individual directed study program in India under professor of Global Theology, Dr. Thomas Thangaraj. Upon returning to Arkansas from India, she was asked to serve at Naylor UMC outside Conway until June of 2005, when she was commissioned as a Probationary Elder and appointed to Glenwood/Daisy UMC.
Beth is married to Henry Turner, who was a school administrator and coach for 36 years, before retiring. They have three sons and one daughter.
Rev. Janice Sudbrink, Associate Minister, Parish Nurse Janice received her bachelor of nursing degree from Mississippi University for Women and has practiced nursing for 23 years. She has also completed the Basic Preparation Course for Parish Nursing from St. Louis School of Nursing, meeting the standards set by the American Nurses Association.
In wanting to incorporate Spirituality and Theology into her nursing practice, Janice entered Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. She graduated from Phillips in May of 2006 with her Master of Divinity Degree. Janice was appointed to First Church as a commissioned Probationary Deacon at Annual Conference. Janice is married to David Sudbrink, an Orthopedic Surgeon with River Valley Musculoskeletal Center, and they have two boys, Sam and Ben.
Rev. Stephen Dickinson, Associate Minister Rev. Stephen Dickinson, Associate Minister, and an England, AR, native, graduated from UALR with a BA in Psychology and an MA in Gerontology. In 2003, after working seven years in healthcare administration, he served as Church Administrator for Cornerstone UMC in Jonesboro. Feeling a calling into ministry, he transitioned into an Associate Minister position there and attended Memphis Theological Seminary as a full-time student. He completed his Master of Divinity curriculum in December 2007 with degree conferred in May 2008.
Stephen is passionate about contemporary worship, Bible study, and training laity for service to the world. His personal hobbies include golf, fishing, camping with his family, mountain biking, and the Razorbacks! He and his wife, Leila, have been married 13 years and have two children, Hadley and Patrick.
Rev. Herschel McClurkin, Associate Minister Herschel is our retired part-time associate working in the areas of Older Adults and Hospital Visitation. Herschel and his wife, Mardell, provide leadership for our Pacesetters Ministry. In addition to his work here at FUMC, Herschel, former Conway District Superintendent, also serves as the Pastor of the Kibler United Methodist Church.
Rev. William Cheyne, Associate Minister Bill is also one of our retired part-time associates working in the areas of Older Adults, Homebound/Nursing Home and Hospital Visitation. Bill is very involved and provides leadership in our CareSteps Ministry. Bill, a former District Superintendent of the Fort Smith District, provides a tremendously caring ministry. Bill and his wife, Earline, are faithful participants at FUMC.
Rev. Aaron Barling, Pastor Emeritus Aaron and his wife, Nell, are active in the life of FUMC. Aaron is a former Fayetteville District Superintendent.
Dr. George Ivey, Pastor Emeritus Dr. Ivey and his wife, Doris reside in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Ivey has served churches in the Northwest Texas Conference, as a Chaplain in World War II, and Vice President of Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Ivey is a former Sr. Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Fort Smith, serving from 1976-1980.
Alishia Tidwell, Nursery Director
Craig Stutzman, Minister to Youth and Families
Debbie Hicks, Custodian/Van Driver
Gaye McClure, Chancel Choir Director
Gail Oakes, Senior Associate Minister's Secretary
Jackie Streeter, Housekeeping/Food Services
Janne Standifird, Food Services
Jean Pence, Financial Secretary
Jeremy Turner, Contemporary Worship Music Leader
Jerry Hartfield, Business Administrator
Marcy Blanton, Custodian
Kelly Desoto, Music and Children's Ministries Secretary
Nancy Scott, Senior Minister's Secretary
Nancy Ashwood, Receptionist and Secretary
Nancy Vernon, Music Ministries
Paige Ingram, Weekday School Director
Phyllis Eckelhoff, Facility Manager
Sally Ware, Children's Ministries
Tiffany Null, Children's Day Out Director
Todd Vick, Minister of Lay Involvment
Valerie Hubbard, Child Enrichment Center Director
Wesley Clark, Evening Custodian
First United Methodist Church, 200 North 15th, Fort Smith, AR 72901