Andy Bartel

Lead Pastor

Andy is married to Kate and they have two sons. Andy is a graduate of University of Alaska Anchorage (B.S. Biological Sciences), Sioux Falls Seminary (Master of Divinity), and Dakota Wesleyan University (Master of Business Administration). He loves running, skiing, fishing, hunting, foraging for wild berries and mushrooms and basically anything that involves being in the great outdoors of Alaska. Andy came to a saving faith in his young twenties through the loving and patient ministry of the good people of the United Methodist Church of Chugiak.

Autumn Krueger

Associate Pastor of Student and Family Ministry

Autumn graduated from Candler School of Theology (Master of Divinity) and was commissioned as a provisional elder in the Dakotas Conference in 2017. She promptly moved to Anchorage and served Anchor Park UMC for 3 years before being appointed to St. John UMC in 2020. Autumn first fell in love with Alaska while working at Birchwood Camp, responding to a lifelong longing for Alaska and a deep passion for working with young people. She especially loves walking alongside individuals as they learn more about how they can love God, themselves, and others. When not working, you will find Autumn cooking, researching vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, gardening, general crafting, and being outside with her dog, Kavi.

Adam Richards

Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Justice

Adam comes to us from Dallas, Texas having received their M. Div in Fall 2023 from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth and previously serving as the Dallas College Campus Ministry Coordinator for Synergy Wesley Foundation since late 2019. They are a licensed local pastor on the elder ordination track out of the Oregon-Idaho annual conference and found their calling to ministry through LGBTQ+ activism work at their other alma-mater, UT Dallas, where they received their B.S. in Electrical Engineering and M.A. in Political Science. Adam is married to Alec, their husband of just over two years, and has an extensive collection of vintage electronics, mainly gaming and computer related. 

Judith Goodrum

New Horizons Preschool Director

As the Director of New Horizons, Judith coordinates, implements and creates programming for children and their families. “Miss. Judith” has been known at St. John for years. First joining our staff as the previous Director of Children’s Ministries. Judith also volunteered with St. John's Children’s Ministry 2003-2008. She holds a degree in elementary education. Judith is a lifelong Methodist - her father is an ordained United Methodist elder and serves at Turnagain UMC. She is a military spouse and has had the opportunity to be an active part of many United Methodist Churches. Judith likes to teach, hike, bike and fish. She and her husband Brent have three daughters, Emily, Elizabeth and Hannah.

Church Council acts as the executive agency of the church between sessions of Charge Conference. Members of the Church Council are persons of genuine Christian character who love the church, are morally disciplined, are committed to the mandate of inclusiveness in the life of the church, are loyal to the ethical standards of the church, and are competent to administer her affairs. (excerpted from the United Methodist Book of Discipline paragraph 244) 

Fourth Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Jan. 23, March 26, May 28, Aug. 27, Oct. 22 and Nov. 26.
Chair: Brent Goodrum

Staff-Parish Relations Committee is our personnel committee and advises the pastors, assists the superintendent in times of pastoral changes, gives guidance to the senior staff in their supervision of the administrative and program staff, reviews staffing policies, etc. 

Second Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Chair: Pam Okeson

Finance Committee is responsible for the day-to-day financial operations of the church, including creating the annual budget and authorizing special offerings and fundraisers.

Third Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Chair: Andy Gilg

The Board of Trustees are the legal corporation of the church and responsible for care of the physical plant, insurance matter, building use policies and legal matters.

Fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Chair: Matt Narus

Care and Discipleship Team creates a welcoming space for all guests and members of St. John. They also extend the congregation’s love to our students and military living away from home and sponsor annual events to further community within our congregation. They cultivate adult faith formation though classes and small group engagement.

3rd Thursdays, 6:45 p.m.
Chair: Colleen Runty

Outreach & Mission works to extend our fellowship through the donation of gifts and time to those in need, from caring to the homeless around Anchorage, partnering with others in the community, to organizing international missions around the world.

Fourth Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Chair: Carla Wight

Earth Stewardship works with the Trustees to help St. John be a green church. The committee advocates for responsible stewardship of God’s creation in our church, homes and wider community. 

First Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. March 5, April 2, May 7, Aug. 6, Oct. 1
Chair: Lia Slemons

The LGBTQ+ Welcoming Team extends the congregation’s ministry to the LGBTQ+ community and coordinates opportunities within the church to be welcoming to all persons.

Third Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. 
Chair: Lauren Livers

Student & Family Ministry Team works with the Christian Education staff in developing educational and fellowship ministries for our children.

3rd Sundays, 1 p.m.
Chair: Emma Digert

Gail Skurla, Office Manager, Bookkeeper
Email submissions, bulletin announcements, newsletters, social media, website, scheduling, general info, outgoing/accounting financial matters

Patti Butcher, Finance & Membership Admin
Financial admin for incoming gifts, membership transfers, attendance

Joe Muhlbauer, Administrative Assistant

Mackenzie Bailey
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator

Amber Packer
Custodian/Hospitality Coordinator

James Wardlaw-Bailey
Choir & Bell Choir Director 

Freya Wardlaw-Bailey
Organist/Accompanist