Meet our pastors & ministry directors.

Charla Gwartney

Charla Gwartney

Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor

Pastor Charla is excited to lead Stillwater First UMC as senior pastor. Arriving in July 2024, Stillwater First is her eighth appointment as a United Methodist Pastor. She’s been serving churches for 27 years. Her loves are preaching, teaching, and developing leaders. Her newest interest is spiritual formation and practices of prayer. Her leadership is collaborative, with the clear goal: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She likes to read, kayak, and enjoy new restaurants with her husband Kurt. She’d love to see you in worship and connect with you over a cup of coffee or tea when you have time.
Pastor Charla is excited to lead Stillwater First UMC as senior pastor. Arriving in July 2024, Stillwater First is her eighth appointment as a United Methodist Pastor. She’s been serving churches for 27 years. Her loves are preaching, teaching, and developing leaders. Her newest interest is spiritual formation and practices of prayer. Her leadership is collaborative, with the clear goal: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She likes to read, kayak, and enjoy new restaurants with her husband Kurt. She’d love to see you in worship and connect with you over a cup of coffee or tea when you have time.
Contact

Corey Shirey

Corey Shirey

Associate Pastor

Associate Pastor

Pastor Corey joined the team here in July 2025 as Associate Pastor. He brings a deep passion for preaching, a heart for meaningful conversation, and a strong commitment to helping people grow in their faith. He believes that faith should be rooted in grace and love, shaped by community, and filled with laughter. Outside the church, Corey enjoys reading, watching sports he’s not athletic enough to play, going on a hike with his dog, Ellie, and catching up with friends. He’d love to meet you after worship or share a conversation sometime!
Pastor Corey joined the team here in July 2025 as Associate Pastor. He brings a deep passion for preaching, a heart for meaningful conversation, and a strong commitment to helping people grow in their faith. He believes that faith should be rooted in grace and love, shaped by community, and filled with laughter. Outside the church, Corey enjoys reading, watching sports he’s not athletic enough to play, going on a hike with his dog, Ellie, and catching up with friends. He’d love to meet you after worship or share a conversation sometime!
Contact

Keegan Rose

Keegan Rose

Director of Worship and Music Ministries

Director of Worship and Music Ministries

Keegan Rose (Director of Worship and Music) has been at FUMC Stillwater since June of 2023. Keegan holds an M.M. In Choral Conducting from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has been professionally involved with church music since 2015. His wife Maya is the worship leader at Jones UMC. They and their three pets live in Edmond, Oklahoma where they spend their free time with family, playing pickleball and disc golf, and performing around the metro.
Keegan Rose (Director of Worship and Music) has been at FUMC Stillwater since June of 2023. Keegan holds an M.M. In Choral Conducting from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has been professionally involved with church music since 2015. His wife Maya is the worship leader at Jones UMC. They and their three pets live in Edmond, Oklahoma where they spend their free time with family, playing pickleball and disc golf, and performing around the metro.
Contact

Janelda Lane

Janelda Lane

Director of Youth Ministries 

Director of Youth Ministries 

The sign in Janelda‘s office reads All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. Living this motto, Janelda has been in youth ministry since the 90s. She’s a mom to everyone, a complete Bible nerd, and a lover of art, coffee, and a good rom-com.
The sign in Janelda‘s office reads All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. Living this motto, Janelda has been in youth ministry since the 90s. She’s a mom to everyone, a complete Bible nerd, and a lover of art, coffee, and a good rom-com.
Contact

Gabe Lane

Gabe Lane

Assistant Director of Youth Ministries 

Assistant Director of Youth Ministries 

Gabe is an avid gamer and desires to dive deep into scripture honestly. If he’s not doing research for one of his Bible studies, a conspiracy theory, or which pair of sneakers he’s going to buy next, Gabe’s creating graphics for the youth group, gaming with friends, or walking around the lake.
Gabe is an avid gamer and desires to deep dive into scripture honestly. If he’s not doing research for one of his Bible studies, a conspiracy theory, or which pair of sneakers he’s going to buy next, Gabe’s creating graphics for the youth group, gaming with friends, or walking around the lake.
Contact

Irene Upson

Irene Upson

Director of Children's Ministries

Director of Children's Ministries

Irene enjoys spending time outside with her family and has recently discovered for herself the joy of podcasts, making her mundane chores more interesting. She loves any creative outlet and has a serious sweet tooth!
Irene enjoys spending time outside with her family and has recently discovered for herself the joy of podcasts, making her mundane chores more interesting. She loves any creative outlet and has a serious sweet tooth!
Contact

Vickie Raper

Vickie Raper

Director of Early Childhood Center

Director of Early Childhood Center

Vickie is a boy mom that has been married for 27 years, and has been a teacher at Stillwater First UMC's Early Childhood Center for over 28 years! She loves houseplants, cats, and a variety of feathered and furry creatures. 
Vickie is a boy mom that has been married for 27 years, and has been a teacher at Stillwater First UMC's Early Childhood Center for over 28 years! She loves houseplants, cats, and a variety of feathered and furry creatures. 
Contact

Sapeida Myers

Sapeida Myers

Director of Food Ministries

Director of Food Ministries

Besides making amazing meals twice a week for our church family and the Stillwater Community Dinner, Sapeida is also the mother of an amazing autistic child. She enjoys family time, movies, and, of course, food. 
Besides making amazing meals twice a week for our church family and the Stillwater Community Dinner, Sapeida is also the mother of an amazing autistic child. She enjoys family time, movies, and, of course, food. 
Contact

Meet the staff.

Daniel Guthrie

Daniel Guthrie

Business Administrator 
Business Administrator 
When not at the office, Daniel enjoys golf and time at the lake. His heart is focused on Jesus, his family, and the OSU athletics.

When not at the office, Daniel enjoys golf and time at the lake. His heart is focused on Jesus, his family, and the OSU athletics.
Contact

MacKenzie McNeil

MacKenzie McNeil

Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Not only is she the voice behind the phone, MacKenzie's also our top angler! If she's not at the lake, she also enjoys painting and time with her family!
Not only is she the voice behind the phone, MacKenzie's also our top angler! If she's not at the lake, she also enjoys painting and time with her family!
Contact

Tim Santeyan

Tim Santeyan

Accounting Specialist
Accounting Specialist
Tim loves to go on bike rides and walks with his family during the week, as well as play guitar and listening to good worship music. 

Tim loves to go on bike rides and walks with his family during the week, as well as play guitar and listening to good worship music. 
Contact

Garett Reding

Garett Reding

Communications and Tech Coordinator
Communications and Tech Coordinator
Garett loves song writing, teaching about the Bible, spending time with his family, deep conversations, talking with scam callers, and gaming with others online. 
Garett loves song writing, teaching about the Bible, spending time with his family, deep conversations, talking with scam callers, and gaming with others online. 
Contact

David Lane

David Lane

Facilities Manager 
Facilities Manager
David is the one to call when there is a problem that needs fixed! Outside of the office he is an avid NASCAR fan and a Wesleyan Fellow.
David is the one to call when there is a problem that needs fixed! Outside of the office he is an avid NASCAR fan and a Wesleyan Fellow.
Contact

Savannah Wyant

Savannah Wyant

Custodian and Maintenance
Custodian and Maintenance
Savannah is a loving mom who enjoys activities like movie nights and crafting! She is always excited to go on adventures and spending time with her kiddo!
Savannah is a loving mom who enjoys activities like movie nights and crafting! She is always excited to go on adventures and spending time with her kiddo!

Mason Moore

Mason Moore

ECC Custodian and Maintenance
ECC Custodian and Maintenance
Born in the wheat filled plains of Kansas, if there in one thing Mason loves, it's tractors! Any era, and brand, Mason is a certified tractor man!  
Born in the wheat filled plains of Kansas, if there in one thing Mason loves, it's tractors! Any era, and brand, Mason is a certified tractor man!  

Austin  Thrasher

Austin  Thrasher

Custodian and Maintenance
Custodian and Maintenance
Austin is an Oklahoma native who enjoys the peace and quiet of the outdoors. As our newest handyman, if you have a problem, yo, he'll solve it! 
Austin is an Oklahoma native who enjoys the peace and quiet of the outdoors. As our newest handyman, if you have a problem, yo, he'll solve it! 

Dana Ayers

Dana Ayers

Organist
Organist
Just because Dana is a retired choir teacher doesn't mean she living the quiet life. Dana is an active member in local theater, as well in our church's worship services. 
Just because Dana is a retired choir teacher doesn't mean she living the quiet life. Dana is an active member in local theater, as well in our church's worship services. 

Christy Barnes

Christy Barnes

Nursery Coordinator
Nursery Coordinator
Christy is known by many for her sweet and fun nature. Speaking of sweet - she is quite famous around the church for her delicious sweet baked tea rings as well!
Christy is known by many for her sweet and fun nature. Speaking of sweet - she is quite famous around the church for her delicious sweet baked tea rings as well!

Klaus

Klaus

Certified ESA and Goodest Boy
Certified ESA and Goodest Boy
When not helping edit weekly video reels and running our livestreams with Garett, Klaus loves visiting the kiddos at the Early Childhood Center and sneaking snacks from Sapeida at staff meetings.
When not helping edit weekly video reels and running our livestreams with Garett, Klaus loves visiting the kiddos at the Early Childhood Center and sneaking snacks from Sapeida at staff meetings.