Staff
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PASTOR
Rich Allen
Pastor Rich was born in Warren, Ohio near Youngstown in 1969. After graduating from Niles McKinley High School, he moved to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University. Rich trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord & personal Savior on April 26, 1997. He met his beautiful, godly wife Marta at his home church right about the time God was revealing His calling for him into pastoral ministry in 2003. Rich & Marta married in 2005 and shortly thereafter, he left his corporate job while attending seminary at Ashland Theological Seminary where he received his Masters of Divinity in 2009. Rich's purpose in life is to live into his personal relationship with Jesus, the One who has redeemed and continues to transform him, so that he might be of use to his King to help others come to know and be transformed by Him.
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YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES DIRECTOR
Amber Foster
Amber grew up and is currently residing in Frankfort, Ohio. Her father, Neil Foster, was the United Methodist pastor in Frankfort (since retired) and her mother, Brenda Foster, is a fourth-grade teacher at Adena Elementary School. She has two sisters, Danielle and recently married sister, Rachael Foster Cook. Amber graduated from Adena High School in 2014 and continued her education at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. While she was there, God confirmed her call to spread His hope and to serve His people. Amber then graduated with her undergraduate degree in Christian Ministries in August of 2018. Now she is serving here at Leesburg United Methodist Church.
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CHURCH TREASURER
Ike Hodson
Dwight "Ike" Hodson is currently the Highland County Clerk of Courts. He is a graduate of Fairfield High School and has worked in the banking industry for several years. Ike has served as LUMC's treasurer for decades. He and his wife, Cindy, are members of LUMC.
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CHURCH SECRETARY
Elaine Balsley
lumc@cinci.rr.com (LUMC General E-mail)
elainebalsley@yahoo.com (Church Annex Office)elaine-balsley@cinci.rr.com (Home)
Elaine & husband, Cap are originally from Pittsburgh, PA and now are residents of Highland Co. Elaine serves as our church secretary and makes sure the various office duties are done each week (Bulletin, Announcements, Inserts, etc.). Her other duties are maintenance of the LUMC Website (www.thelumc.com) & Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Leesburg-United-Methodist-Church-304767586891701/ She and Cap are involved in many church groups and activities, including the Family Fun & Movie Night. Elaine leads monthly Jr/St High & B-Tween Youth Art Parties & accompanies some occasional youth field trips. Elaine is an artist and teaches occasional classes in local areas and participates in various local art shows. Cap & Elaine have a daughter, Wendy who lives with her husband in Colorado, along with their two boys. Their son, Dan, daughter-in-law & their two children (a boy & girl), live in Columbus, OH.
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CHURCH CUSTODIAN / RIDE FOR CHRIST ORGANIZER
Jeff Davis
Jeff resides in Leesburg with his wife, Michelle ("Micki"), & high school senior, Anna. Ethan is in his second year at Queens College, Charlotte, NC. Their oldest son, Colin, is a nurse working in North Carolina. Jeff works at Hospice of Dayton & has taken classes relating to his Chaplain position. He has taken over the church's custodian duties following Ike Hodson's retirement. Jeff has led the annual June for "Ride for Christ" for the past 19 years. When the former Youth Director, Mitch Boothe, left the position to pursue additional college courses in ministry, Jeff stepped up to fill in as Interim Youth Director. He did so faithfully for several months until a new Youth & Family Ministry Director, Amber Foster, was recently hired.