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Presiding Elders
Presiding Elders serve as vital bridges between local churches and conference leadership, working closely with the Conference Superintendent to strengthen and support our local church communities. Think of them as experienced shepherds who guide both clergy and congregations within their assigned districts. They ensure churches have the resources and leadership they need to thrive, help develop new ministers, and work to strategically grow our ministry presence in local communities.
When a church is between pastors or needs additional support, Presiding Elders step in to provide guidance and maintain continuity of ministry. They remain connected with church leaders and clergy to offer counsel, ensure proper administration, and help develop effective ministry strategies. Their role combines spiritual oversight, administrative leadership, and practical support to help our churches fulfill their mission of sharing God's love and building disciples for Christ.
Below you'll find our current Presiding Elders and the districts they serve:
List of Services
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Rev. Jeff BuckEmail Jeff
Dean of Cabinet
Rev. Jeff Buck and his wife, Julie, have faithfully served the Lord together for 36 years. They are currently serving at Mount Auburn Church in Greenwood, Indiana. Jeff and Julie are blessed with three daughters, one son, and eight grandchildren. In addition to his pastoral work, Jeff serves as the Dean of the Cabinet, providing leadership and guidance to fellow clergy. Throughout their ministry, Jeff and Julie have been dedicated to supporting and nurturing the spiritual growth of their community and family.
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Rev. Jon CarrellEmail Jon List Item 4
Illinois Central District
Jon Carrell has been the pastor of Sherman Methodist Church in Sherman, Illinois, since 2018. He also serves as the presiding elder for the Illinois Central District. His wife, Stephanie, teaches junior high writing, and their daughters are Trisha, a student at the University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts in Springfield, and Marissa, a Music Education major at the University of Illinois.
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Rev. Keith ChanleyEmail Keith
Indiana West Central District
Keith Chanley began his pastoral ministry in 1988 and he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Oakland City University in 1995. While at OCU, he met Dana, and they married on June 2, 1990. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren. Keith joined the Wesleyan Covenant Association in 2016 and served as treasurer for the Indiana chapter. Ordained as a Global Methodist Church elder in October 2023, Keith has served at Kokomo Zion since August 2023.
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Rev. Arthur CollinsEmail Art
Indiana South Central District
Art Collins began his ministry in 1976 at a three-point student pastoral charge and retired in 2017. In 2022, he transferred to the Global Methodist Church and began volunteering to help launch the new denomination. Art serves as a Presiding Elder and the Great Lakes Discipleship Chair. He has extensive leadership experience in Scouting ministry, both locally and internationally. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, Art’s interests include cooking, camping, music, languages, history, and education. He has been married to Deanne since 1973.
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Rev. Jim GyselEmail Jim
Michigan West District
Jim Gysel committed his life to following Jesus at the age of 15. Over the years, he has served in a variety of church settings—small and large, urban and rural. He married Shari in 1970, and together they have two grown sons, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Jim is a Vietnam War combat veteran, having served as a sentry dog handler with the Military Police from 1967-68. He currently serves as Chaplain for the Michigan Calhoun County Sheriff's Office. Jim holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Care. His hobbies include playing trombone in jazz bands, riding his bike, and golfing.
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Rev. Kevin HarbinEmail Kevin
Michigan North District
Kevin Harbin did not grow up in a Methodist church, but at the age of 25, God led him to one. Though not raised to read the Bible, his journey as a young adult in the Methodist faith transformed him. In 1986, he gave his heart to Jesus. After a 10-year career in sales, Kevin felt called to pastoral ministry and attended Asbury Seminary, where he graduated in 1997. He is grateful for the guidance he received and has since served churches in rural, suburban, and urban settings, sharing God's Word and love wherever he is called.
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Rev. Colleen HardenEmail Colleen
Indiana Southwest District
Colleen Harden grew up in several church parsonages across southern Indiana. She earned a BA in science from Anderson College and worked as a biochemical lab tech before feeling called into ministry. Colleen holds an MDiv from Asbury and a MA in Christian Education from Garrett-Evangelical. She spent two years ministering in Russia and has pastored multiple churches in Indiana. Currently, she serves as pastor at Loogootee Methodist Church. Colleen enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and is passionate about her faith and the new Wesleyan movement.
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Rev. Karin KayeEmail Karin
Wisconsin East District
Karin Kaye gave her life to Jesus and accepted a call to ministry when she was 22. This call led her to Oral Roberts University School of Theology where she met her future husband & co-pastor, Creighton. The Kayes finished their seminary education at Dubuque Theological Seminary. Together, they have served small rural churches, a mega-church, and have been at their current church, Faithbridge, for 25 years. Karin’s spiritual gifts include encouragement, prophecy, and leadership. Karin treats every day as a special gift from God waiting to be unwrapped. She enjoys traveling, reading, and visiting her three grown kids!
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Rev. Gary LewisEmail Gary List Item 1
Michiana District
Gary Lewis seeks to make disciples of Jesus Christ. He brings a breadth of experience as a local church pastor, serving in both rural and county-seat churches. He was ordained as an elder in Global Methodist Church in December of 2022, after 33 years in ministry. Since 2017, he has served as the lead pastor at Bristol Community Church, Bristol, Indiana, where he is engaged deeply in the community as a chaplain and servant leader. Gary lives with Jenny, his wife of 40 years in the Bristol parsonage. They have one grown daughter and two grandchildren.
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Rev. Danny MottaEmail Danny
Illinois Southeast District
Danny Motta is a devoted child of God, wholly committed to the perfect Word of God and spreading scriptural holiness within the Wesleyan tradition. He is blessed with an amazing wife, Karen, and three incredible young adult children who all love Jesus and serve His Kingdom. Danny has a passion for preaching the Gospel, leading worship, and teaching traditional Chinese Kung Fu from a Christian perspective. He holds an undergraduate degree in Religion with a focus on Biblical Studies from Missouri Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.
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Rev. Stan PegramEmail Stan
Wisconsin West District
Stan Pegram has had the privilege of serving as the Wisconsin West Presiding Elder in the Great Lakes Conference since July 1, 2023. He also pastors a rural multi-site church in the driftless area in southwest Wisconsin, where he has lived and ministered for over 25 years. Stan is married to his wife, Sarah, and they have four daughters—three are grown and out of the house (with one son-in-law), and one is a senior in high school. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve God’s Kingdom through The Global Methodist Church in these roles.
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Rev. Jason RiceEmail Jason List Item 3
Indiana East Central
Jason Rice and his wife Vicki have been married for 29 years. They have three adult sons, two amazing daughters-in-laws and 2 beautiful grandchildren. Jason currently is the lead pastor of the Compass Church, a multi-site ministry with three campuses stretching across East Central Indiana. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 2013 and Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton Ohio in 2016. Jason has the privilege of serving as the Presiding Elder for the East Indiana District.
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Rev. Stevan SaundersEmail Steve
Illinois North District
Steve spent 28 years hauling garbage before feeling a call to pastoral ministry in 2005. He began serving at Plano Methodist Church on July 1, 2016. In addition to his pastoral and Presiding Elder duties, Steve serves as a chaplain for Kendall County law enforcement and the Oswego Fire Department. Steve and his wife, Victoria, have three adult sons: Cole (32) is married to Liz; Mitchell (30) resides in California; and Austin is active-duty Army married to Maranda. They enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren, Colton and Natalie Rose.
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Rev. Michael T. SawickiEmail Michael
Michigan Central District
Michael T. Sawicki grew up in a small rural church and came to faith in Jesus at camp. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary and has served in congregations in Kentucky and Michigan, including a church plant in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Michael is currently the Lead Pastor at Aldersgate Church, with campuses in Midland and Saginaw. He has been married to his wife Patty for 31 years, and together they have two daughters: Hannah (24, programming staff at Simpson Park Camp) and FaithAnne (18, now in heaven with Jesus). Michael is passionate about serving Christ and his community.
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Rev. Clifford SchroederEmail Cliff
Michigan Southeast District
Cliff and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 28 years and are blessed with four children. Their home is filled with the music of many instruments. Raised in rural Michigan, Cliff has known the church since childhood. He began his career in mathematics and science, with a calling to teaching and sharing Jesus in mission fields. His path led him to pastoral ministry in an unexpected mission field. He now serves as the pastor of Holly Calvary Church. Cliff continues to be grateful for the opportunity to teach and proclaim God’s grace, truth, and love.
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Rev. Jeff SmithEmail Jeff
Indiana Northeast District
Jeff Smith grew up without a church background and became a pastor after only a few years as a committed Christian—a perspective that has proved valuable in his ministry. As a second-career professional, Jeff brings a diverse range of experiences to his work. He has served as a hospital administrator, worked for a government agency, and spent nearly thirty years in pulpit ministry, including leadership roles. All of these experiences have shaped his approach as a Presiding Elder and pastor, equipping him for this pivotal moment in ministry.
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Rev. Chris TitusEmail Chris List Item 2
Michigan Thumb District
After being a trial lawyer for 25 years, I turned my entire focus and passion FINALLY to serving Jesus Christ. My doctorate is in church Revitalization, with a heart for rural churches. As Pastor in a rural community in Michigan, I can attest to the desire of congregants to share the gospel with as many as we can, as often as we can, for as long as we can! I am blessed to serve as Presiding Elder of the Thumb District of Michigan.
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Rev. Harold ZimmickEmail Harold
Wisconsin Central District
Harold Zimmick has served Asbury Church in Madison, Wisconsin, since 2005. Prior to that, he was the Director of the Nehemiah Leadership Institute in Minneapolis, where he worked with pastors, church staffs, and lay leaders for five years. Harold has served churches of various sizes across Wisconsin since 1981. He holds an undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Harold and his wife, Wendy, married in 1984, and have three children: Charis, Caleb (married to Hillary with two sons), and Connor (married to Molly with a son). He enjoys sports and family time.