Rev. Kris Steele - Senior Pastor

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Rev. Kris Steele served as associate minister at Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee since 2002.  He became the senior pastor in December of 2011. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University, and completed his Master Degree in Education from East Central University in 2006.

Kris and his wife Kellie have been blessed with two daughters, Mackenzie and Madison. Kris is actively involved in a variety of ministries including local missions, visitation, outreach and discipleship. He is a teacher for various Sunday school classes as well as Wesley’s midweek worship service. He also provides assistance in officiating weddings and funerals. In addition, Kris and Kellie serve as co-facilitators for a marriage enrichment and relationship enhancement curriculum.
 

Sara Ledford - Worship Arts Director

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Music and me…

I grew up in a musical family, and my dad was the music minister at our church, so music in worship has been a central topic in my faith for as long as I can remember.  I pursued a career in the academic music world by earning a bachelors degree and two masters degrees.  One year into the doctoral degree I began to question if the road I was on was my idea or God’s, and I stopped pursuing something I wasn’t sure He wanted for me.

I’ve been on staff at Wesley since August of 2009, and I am certain that this road is God’s idea!  I believe our purpose here on earth is to worship the living God in everything we do – in our work, in our relationships, in our homes – everything.  I am more passionate about my Savior and my music than anything else in this world, and it is truly a joy to combine those passions by leading my church family in worship every week.   

Other stuff you might want to know about me…

I am madly in love with my husband of three years.  He’s my best friend and the most amazing person I know.  I have over 300 chapsticks in my collection, which includes a separate annex for those from overseas.  I played tennis in high school and loved it.  I still pretend to be good, but I’m not really.  I love chocolate and will consume it in any form…unless it involves insects.  I’m really bad at answering “What’s your favorite…” questions, but there’s no doubt my favorite sitcom is Frasier.  I enjoy board games with anyone that will play with me.

Tasha Casey-Loveless - Youth Director

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Tasha Casey-Loveless has her Christian Education degree from Oklahoma City University.  She was born and raised in Shawnee, Oklahoma and Wesley UMC has always been her church home.  Before becoming Wesley's youth director, Tasha spent her college years working in Youth Ministry in the Oklahoma City metro where she served in numerous leadership positions with camps and districts across the Oklahoma Conference.  She resides in Midwest City, OK and works full time for Oklahoma City University.  Tasha is married to Dustin Loveless and has three sons, Tanner, Tayden and Kellen.  

Patti Pixley - Administrative Assistant

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Patti is a former minister's wife having served with her husband for 20 years.  She also was very active in building children's churches, teaching Sunday School and Youth.  Through the years Patti has worked in offices in secretarial work and bookkeeping.  Patti worked for 16 years for Amoco Corporation starting as Secretary to Administrative Services and ended her career as a Senior Buyer.  Sixteen years ago she was forced to retire due to a 7 month stay in the hospital from a gall stone (the gall stone got caught in the pancrea duct).  Feeling very lucky to be alive and well, she gives all the praise to her Lord for His faithfulness to her.  She feels God has blessed her with her job at Wesley and loves her work and the people.