Leadership
Gérard Nsabimana (Email)
Pastor
Pastor Gérard is an ordained Elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. Prior to moving to Shawnee Wesley United Methodist Church, he served for seven years at Stroud First United Methodist Church. He also served as the director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
Gérard completed his seminary education at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina in May 2011.
Prior to his seminary education, Gérard completed graduate studies at Oklahoma State University where he earned a Master of Sciences degree in Agricultural Economics in May 2005.
Gérard is also a graduate of Africa University – a United Methodist related institution of higher education located in Zimbabwe. It is at Africa University where Gérard earned a bachelor’s degree of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources in May 2002.
Gérard is a native of the small east African Country of Burundi. He is married to Alina, a native of Romania in Europe. Gérard and Alina have three girls Alexia, Nadine and Théa.
Gérard enjoys and treasures meeting new people and hearing every person’s sacred story.
Chris Nichols (Email)
Administrative Assistant
Chris has lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma since 1997, when his father joined the faculty of Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) as a professor of mathematics. Chris graduated from OBU in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, with a focus on design and editing.
Prior to moving to Oklahoma, Chris grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, home of Redstone Arsenal, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and Space Camp.
In Huntsville, Chris grew up as a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, which has made joining the Wesley United Methodist family feel a lot like coming home.
After graduating from OBU, Chris ran a freelance proofreading and copy-editing service for several years. Prior to joining the staff of Wesley United Methodist Church, Chris spent six years as a court clerk for various municipal courts in Pottawatomie County.
Chris has always been something of a “nerd,” as one might say. He enjoys meeting up with friends every week to play tabletop board, card, and role-playing games, of which he has an extensive collection. Other interests include movies, video games, comics, anime and manga, and books of all types. Chris’ book collection includes works by Sir Terry Pratchett, genre and pulp stories from the 1890s to today, the previously mentioned extensive trove of role-playing game (RPG) publications, and a growing set of Hercule Poirot mysteries. His dog, Annie, is his dearest friend and constant companion.
Zach Foster (Email)
Youth Director
Zach came to Wesley in 2018. Before coming to Wesley, Zach was a Sports Coordinator for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. He was an active member of the Youth Camps, he is currently a Dean for Camp Spark. Camp Spark is a United Methodist camp for 6th grade through Graduated Seniors at Canyon Camp.
Zach played baseball growing up and was able to enjoy playing it in college as well. He is a huge fan of the Sooners, Thunder, and St Louis Cardinals.
Zach enjoys playing a multitude of sports. He plays in adult leagues for softball and basketball. He also enjoys playing golf and disc golf with his friends. When Zach is not being active, he enjoys playing video games, board games, and reading a good book.
- Favorite Color: Blue
- Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese
- Favorite Dessert: No Bake Cookies or German Chocolate Cake
- Favorite TV Show: The Office
- Favorite Quote: “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” Yogi Berra
Kim Bussell (Email)
Children’s Director
Hello Church Family, I am Kimberly Bussell, and I am the new Children’s Director for Wesley UMC. Some of you have gotten to know me, but there are still so many faces that I haven’t met. I grew up in McAlester my entire life, and my parents still live there. It was my home church where I fell in love with God, and from there each chapter of my life has brought me closer to Him.
I went to college at ECU where I graduated there with a degree in Elementary education. I have been married to my husband, Jacob Bussell, for 10 years now.
We have three children, Josiah, Elizabeth, and Emma. I currently stay home with my youngest, but come next year I will be back in the workforce of education.
I am so excited to be a part of the church and to work together to help grow the children’s program. I have had my hand in children’s ministry ever since my home church that I grew up in allowed me to help in extended care. I had the privilege to teach Sunday School for the past year and a half at my previous church.
I truly enjoy teaching children and watching their love for God blossom and mature. My goal for each child that comes through our children’s ministry is to have a strong foundation of the Bible, Old and New Testament. I want them to know of God’s great love and how through each book of the Bible, you can see God’s love.
Janet Henry (Email)
Nursery Director
Janet began working in PDO in September of 1995 and became the director in August of 2004. She recalls, “I wanted to be around small children again – mine were all in school.” And to this day here favorite part of the job is simply, the children.
Janet has been married to husband Rick for 31 years. They have four children and eight grandchildren. They enjoy family time and mini vacations together.
Janet loves her work at the church and says, “I’m just very thankful to be a part of this church family.”
Linda Porter (Email)
Worship Arts Director
Lisa Syth
