MEET
OUR staff
Christen Sanders
Lead Pastor
Pastor Christen became Lead Pastor at D1Naz in May 2022 and is honored to be the first female to fill this position. Christen hails from the great state of Indiana, (Go Hoosiers!) and is a 2009 graduate of Olivet Nazarene University where she majored in Pastoral Ministry. Christen is a former youth pastor and social worker, specifically working with teens, children, and adults with trauma in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. Christen has two dogs, Pepper and Rhodie, and she’s an aunt 7x over. She’s also an avid sports fan (Colts, Cubs & Hoosiers), loves anything competitive, and genuinely loves spending time with people and doing ministry. Despite all this, her trek to be a Lead Pastor and GOD’s faithfulness in her life is what you’ll find unique about Christen, so be sure to ask when you meet her!
Contact at pastorchristen@d1naz.com
Ryan Roberts
Youth &Young Adult Ministry Director
Ryan was once told to be the bigger man and he took it literally! Not just in his size but with his personality as well. Ryan grew up in the church, and student ministry played a huge role in his love for Christ. He feels called to student ministry to help develop students in the same way he was so that they can grow in their walk with Christ and impact the future.
Contact at ryan@d1naz.com
Bethany Force
Interim Children’s Director
Bethany stepped into the role of interim Children’s Director in 2023 after volunteering in the kids’ wing for a year. She lives in Forsyth with her husband, Rick, and three children, Annalee, Emma, and Charlotte. Bethany graduated from the University of Alabama in 2014 with a degree in Music and obtained her Master’s in Elementary Education from Western Governors University in 2016. She has previously served as the music director at Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln teaching Prek-8th grade music and as the Associate Children’s Director at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Growing up with a mother in ministry, Bethany was immersed in church activities: singing on praise teams, helping with VBS, and running slides from a young age. She aims to have faith like a child–full of joy, trust, and wonder.
Contact at bethany@d1naz.com
Darcy Morr
Office Manager
Darcy felt called to be our Office Manager in 2009, shortly after her family started attending D1Naz and they enrolled their daughter in our daycare. Her job involves event coordination, communications, and facility oversight. She describes her roll somewhere between “Air Traffic Controller” and “Staff Mom”. Darcy is eternally grateful GOD called her away from a corporate setting to serve alongside some incredible pastors and staff, feeling blessed to have had a front row seat on the life-changing power of Christ in the lives of so many who call D1Naz home. She and her husband Dave have two wonderful teenagers, Tessa and Drew, who can often be found helping out around the church.
If you have questions about an upcoming event, contact at darcy@d1naz.com
Rollan Gongwer
Minister of Pastoral Care
Rollan graduated from Indiana University in 1968 with a Dr. of Optometry degree then practiced optometry for 16 years in Cassopolis, MI. During that time, he spent eight years as Chaplain of the Cass County Jail. In 1984, he joined the Indian Health Service and spent 20 years in active duty on several Indian reservations treating the optical needs of Native Americans. In 2004 he retired to Tucson, AZ, where he and his beloved wife, Carol, attended the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene for 13 years. In 2017 they moved to Decatur to be closer to family and joined D1Naz soon after. In July 2021, he received a call to ministry by the Holy Spirit and received his local minister’s license two months later, becoming our Minister of Pastoral Care. He is incredibly humbled that God called him into ministry at this stage of life.
If you are in need of pastoral call or visit,
please contact Rollan at 217.970.0159 or
email rollang40@gmail.com
Jim Wilkerson
Worship Director
Jim became our Worship Director in the summer of 2019. He has been involved with worship ministry since 2003, with ten of those years in a leadership role. He is married to Stephanie, and they have two beautiful daughters, Taylor and Carli. Jim is a lifelong resident of Decatur, a Millikin University graduate, and a founding member of the local Christian band, Day 40. During the week, Jim works at Vieweg Real Estate as their Marketing Director, and in his free time enjoys creating humorous video clips to share with the church.
If you have questions about worship,
contact at jim@d1naz.com
Judy Eddy
Facilities Manager
Judy joined our team in December 2021. She grew up on a farm in the Clinton area, graduated from Hannibal-LaGrange College with an AA in Liberal Arts, and moved to Iowa after college. She has been active in churches since high school whether singing in and directing choirs, chairing the Missions Group, or serving as the secretary of many boards, including the Sunday School board. She is a widow and the mother of two grown children, Stephanie and Justin (& wife Brittany), and is the proud grandmother of Ben and Crissie, all of whom live in Iowa. She currently lives near Beason on the family farm with her older brother, Greg.
Audrey Johnson
Creative Kids Daycare Director
Audrey graduated from Millikin University in 2019 with a Bachelors of Science focused in Organizational Leadership. She was called to Creative Kids in February 2022 and started by splitting her time bookkeeping for the daycare and the church. She is excited for her new role as our Daycare Director. Her and her husband, Ethan, have one son, Ezra. She's a God fearing woman who loves to drink coffee and go to Disney World.
Contact at audrey@d1naz.com
Ashley Schroyer
Creative Kids Daycare Assistant Director
Ashley was called to Creative Kids Daycare in November of 2014. She has served as a teachers assistant, teacher, assistant director, and as interim director. She is currently serving as the assistant director. She lives in Decatur with her husband, Chris, of 13 years, and her son Ruben. She and her husband have been foster parents to many children over the last 9 years. She enjoys spending time with her family and reading every chance she can get. Ashley feels blessed that she is a part of such an amazing ministry like Creative Kids Daycare.
Contact at ashley@d1naz.com
2022-2023 board officers & members
Board Officers
Board Secretary |
Board Treasurer | John Prien
NDI Chair (Nazarene Discipleship International) | Marc Abla
NMI Chair (Nazarene Missions International) | Deb Hancock
NYI Chair (Nazarene Youth International) | Tom Ness
Board members
Matt Bolhmann
Patti Brackett
Jim Brundmeier
Jim German
Sara Goodner
Jackie Farr