Bishop Laura Merrill has announced her intention to appoint Reverend Jessica Wheeler as Associate Pastor of Central United Methodist Church (UMC) effective September 1, 2026. On Wednesday, your Church Council had the pleasure of hearing of the appointment and meeting Jessica via Zoom. We are excited to share this information with you today after months of anticipation!
Jessica is currently a Licensed Local Pastor in Kentucky at Hardwick’s Creek UMC, and a certified candidate on the elder track. She is also a chaplain at the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home and was previously on staff at the University of Kentucky Wesley Foundation. She attends Asbury Theological Seminary, where she is completing her final coursework this summer to obtain her Master of Divinity.
Jessica served on active duty in the United States Air Force for over six years before earning her Bachelor of Arts from The Evergreen State College. She then joined the Teach for America Phoenix Corps as an elementary and secondary teacher and attained a Master of Education from Arizona State University. Afterwards, she relocated to Colorado and entered corporate work and the Navy Reserve before accepting a call to ministry. She taught English as foreign language for a mission’s organization before entering seminary. Jessica is thrilled to join Central UMC and is most excited about working deeply in pastoral care for healing and connection within the congregational body and for engaging in community outreach.
She enjoys exploring new places and being active, especially through hiking with her rescue dog Roxy. She cheers for the Cardinals (MLB) and the Chiefs (NFL) when watching professional sports and has a sweet tooth.
Please join us in welcoming Jessica to the Central family and keep her in your prayers as she transitions into this new chapter of service and begins the search for housing in Rogers!
Joey Msall – Church Council Chair