LEADERSHIP
The mission of Evangelical United Methodist Church is to love God, to love others, and to magnify the name of Jesus Christ.
WENDY OCHS – Pastor
Wendy (Lothert) Ochs was born and raised on a farm in southwest Minnesota. She has been a United Methodist her entire life but was influenced by EUB (her mom), Lutheran (her dad), Baptist (her uncle, a minister), and Catholic (her husband and best friend) traditions as well. She asked Jesus to live in her heart when she was 4-years-old and has been working to serve him ever since!
After graduating from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, with a degree in social work and psychology, Wendy was commissioned as a US-2 Young Adult Missionary for the United Methodist Church where she served at Family Support Network, a non-profit agency in Billings, working with families at-risk of abuse and neglect from 1999-2001. While in Billings, Wendy attended EUMC and was actively involved with the youth group. When her US-2 term was completed Wendy moved back to MN to marry her high school sweetheart, Chris.
In 2009, Wendy and her family moved back to Billings where she worked at Family Support Network until 2014. She has been the Pastor of EUMC since then.
Pastor Wendy loves encouraging others to grow in their faith, helping those from all walks of life understand and experience God’s great love & grace, shown to us through Jesus, and spending time with her husband and four sons, ages 2-16.
Wendy has been actively involved in her churches as a member of the SPRC, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, facilitator of various groups and Bible studies, and fill-in preacher. She is excited about the next journey that God has called her to take!
BETTY FRIDRICHSON – Church Secretary
Betty is the church secretary and has been part of EUM for over three years. She grew up in Moorhead, MN. After high school, Betty attended Interstate Business College in Fargo and then attended Union University in Lincoln, NE.
She was married in the Fargo First Methodist Church, Where she sang in the choir and was the assistant organist, After raising her family of six children she and her husband attended and graduated from the St, Petersburg Theological Seminary in Florida. They were ordained and pastored in Methodist churches in Wisconsin and Florida for many years. Her husband passed away in 2016, and now helping in the FreeStore by speaking and playing music, is one way that Betty likes to spend her time.
BEV THORN – Music Director
I believe God can use anyone for his work here on Earth. He takes our brokenness and our mistakes and utilizes them for His glory, especially if we give God a break and humble ourselves before him. We all fall short, but He is generous, forgiving and always at the ready to continue to polish us in His image. I flounder, I lie, I act out of jealousy, I protect my ego at all costs, but he gently leads me out of the Shadowy Valley and into His green pastures time and time again. I want to learn to love like Jesus loved. I want to learn to listen like Jesus listened. I want to learn to see like Jesus saw. And jumping in feet-first at church is the first step. I am willing and He blesses that willingness by helping me to be stronger, a little more wise, and energized to do His work with JOY!
ANNA BREWER – Children’s Ministry Coordinator
When I think about Jesus, I feel His love always surrounding me, His ever present strength and guidance beside me, the joy that He gives me living the life he has set before me, the blessings of His spiritual gifts. He picks me up when I am down, as the song goes, and without Him I would not be able to be the person that I am today. That is the life He has set before me and I am living it to the best I possibly can so what I do is a reflection of Him.
A volunteer Secretary and Lay Leader in the church I have taught Sunday School since 1985 when my son was 6 years old and loved (still do love it) teaching Sunday School.
I love being a nurse and I love helping people. I love to travel, read, ride horses, help with branding, rest next to a river or a lake, visit with family and friends, laugh, dance, share and care. Most of all I love how God has blessed me in my life. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been covered by Him.I have been blessed with a wonderful son and a sweet daughter-in-law who is also very smart and who God blessed for my son. I have 2 dogs, a yorkie and a silky terrier. I have 2 nieces who I consider my daughters. My niece, Lalauni’s children call me GAA, grandma, aunty Anna. I have a step-daughter who has a husband and 3 lovely daughters who also consider me another grandmother.
My favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
TRAVIS KUEHN – Musician
Travis was born and raised in Glendale, Montana until his sophomore. He then moved to Laurel and graduated from Laurel High School. He graduated from Rocky Mountain College in 2014 and received a Masters from the University of Montana in 2017. He works for School District #2 as a Special Education Aide and EUMC Sunday morning.
He is involved in drama, music and can be seen at Billings Studio Theater.
CATHY HUTCHINSON – Nursery
Cathy Hutchinson and Diane Kron work in the nursery each Sunday.
CALEB THOMPSON – Technology
Caleb Thompson, an eighth grader, takes care of the technology for EUMC. He operates computer that controls the big screen, microphones, etc.
Team List 2019
The purpose of all teams is to create opportunities to introduce people to the transforming grace of God through Christ.
TRUSTEES
Randy, Don, Chris
Not Pictured: Brian Thorn
2019 Randy Repogle
2020 Chris Ochs, Brian Thorn
2021 Don Davis
Ad Council Chair
Ad Hoc Team: Gary Carter, Bob Powelson, Brandon Martin
EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS TEAM
Coral, Travis, Alicia, Loreen
Not Pictured: Bev, Kate, Rachel
Loreen Tallmadge, Bev Throne, Rachel Tremis, Coral Ragsdale, Kate Kilzer, Alicia Armbruster, Travis Kuehn
Ad Council Chair
STAFF PARISH RELATIONS
Jan,Vicki, Nicole, Anna, Jamie
Not Pictured: Brenda Stephanie
2019 Jan Skovgaard
2020 Stephanie Olson, Nicole Berns
2021 Jamie Opp, Vicki Kruse, Brenda Rogers
Lay Leader, Lay Member AC
Ad Hoc Member: Skip Venard
FINANCE TEAM
Don, Coral,Anna
Not Pictured: Woody
Anna Brewer
Treasurer, Coral Ragsdale
Woody Strever
Trustees Rep,Don Davis
Lay Leader
Lay Member to AC
Ad Council Chair
Pastor,
WORSHIP TEAM
Wendy Ochs-Pastor
Travis Kuehn -Musician
Bev Thorn – Worship Arts Director
Jeff Biggins – Worship Technology
Caleb Thompson – Worship Technology
Kay Davis, Alter Decorations
ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
Gayle, Barb
Not Pictured: Carol
Chair: Gayle Carter
Secretary: Carol Hansen
Barb Powelson
Members: Team Leaders
Church Officers
NOMINATION TEAM
Don. DeeNot Pictured Carol Hansen
Wendy Ochs, Pastor
2019 Dee Replogle
2020 Don Davis
2021 Carol Hansen
Lay Leader
YOUTH TEAM
Lisa
Not Pictured: Racheal
Youth Leaders: Lisa Thompson, Rachel Tremis
Youth Support: Bev Thorn, Jan MCCandless, Anna Brewer
FREE STORE TEAM
Directors: Peg Parker, Dale Francetich
Volunteer Coordinator: Sue Biggins
EUM Rep: Brian Thorn
Message Response: Stephanie Olson
SCHOLARSHIP TEAM
Mary Ann Campbell
UMW PRESIDENTS
UMW PRESIDENTS
Barb Powelson
Dixie Scheid
CHURCH OFFICERS
Brain, Anna
Not Pictured: Bev, Brian
Lay Leader: Brian Thorn & Anne Brewer
Lay Leader: Bryan Ragsdale
Lay Member AC: Bev Thorn
Youth Member AC: Lizzie Berns
Lay AC Alternates: Nicole Berns, Don Davis
Treasurer: Coral RagsdaleUMW Presidents: Dixie Scheild & Barb Powelson
Lya Servants: Anna Brewer, Linda Lang, Barb Powelson, Bev & Brian Thorn
CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP
Bishop: Karen Oliveto
Dist Supt: Rev Deborah ChristinePastor: Wendy Ochs