Staff
Ed Santiago - Pastor
Many know me as Pastor Ed. I have loved my time at Benton UMC. The congregation is a great group of people that love Jesus and eager to welcome you as part of our church family. As the pastor here, I am often seen preaching on a Sunday morning and assisting with worship music. With having previously been a therapist, I am passionate about pastoral counseling and counsel people throughout the year. It brings me great hope to walk with those who are hurting and to help people know that they are not alone.
A little about me. When I was young I wasn’t a fan of God. In fact, I spent the good part of my youth very angry at God. Well, I wasn’t sure if I was angry with God or just couldn’t accept there being a God in a world filled with suffering. You see, God made no sense to me, so accepting a loving God wasn’t top priority for me. Then one day as a junior in high school, death had come for me. I was young and didn’t expect it. Regardless of your age, none of us are really ready for death. On that day everything changed for me. I came to know Jesus not by faith, but because of what I have seen. I relate to the Apostle Thomas. He is often referred to as doubting Thomas. You see, the God we serve works through our doubts, meets us where we are at, and gives us hope. Thomas would not accept that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Jesus himself by placing his finger into the mark of the nails and his hand into Jesus’ side. Similarly, I came to my faith in Christ because Jesus literally brought me back from the dead. Since then, I have been a witness to the truth and I have witnessed God’s miracles alive and well. I have come a long way since my days of doubt. Jesus, in all His mercy, met a doubter where he was at and walked me out of death and into life. Out of love Jesus challenges us, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” If you hear anything I say as a pastor hear this, God loves you and longs to have a personal relationship with you. Yes, God can work through your doubts and give you the peace you deserve. I pray you give Him an opportunity to do so and join us for worship.
In Christ,
Pastor Ed
Human Services: Substance Abuse Counseling, A.A.S.
Religious Studies & Psychology, B.S.
Counseling & Educational Administration, M.S.
Pastoral Licensing School, Iowa Wesleyan College
A little about me. When I was young I wasn’t a fan of God. In fact, I spent the good part of my youth very angry at God. Well, I wasn’t sure if I was angry with God or just couldn’t accept there being a God in a world filled with suffering. You see, God made no sense to me, so accepting a loving God wasn’t top priority for me. Then one day as a junior in high school, death had come for me. I was young and didn’t expect it. Regardless of your age, none of us are really ready for death. On that day everything changed for me. I came to know Jesus not by faith, but because of what I have seen. I relate to the Apostle Thomas. He is often referred to as doubting Thomas. You see, the God we serve works through our doubts, meets us where we are at, and gives us hope. Thomas would not accept that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Jesus himself by placing his finger into the mark of the nails and his hand into Jesus’ side. Similarly, I came to my faith in Christ because Jesus literally brought me back from the dead. Since then, I have been a witness to the truth and I have witnessed God’s miracles alive and well. I have come a long way since my days of doubt. Jesus, in all His mercy, met a doubter where he was at and walked me out of death and into life. Out of love Jesus challenges us, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” If you hear anything I say as a pastor hear this, God loves you and longs to have a personal relationship with you. Yes, God can work through your doubts and give you the peace you deserve. I pray you give Him an opportunity to do so and join us for worship.
In Christ,
Pastor Ed
Human Services: Substance Abuse Counseling, A.A.S.
Religious Studies & Psychology, B.S.
Counseling & Educational Administration, M.S.
Pastoral Licensing School, Iowa Wesleyan College
Sarah Santiago - Secretary
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My name is Sarah Santiago. I am the church secretary and the pastor's wife. I help with preparing for services by doing, bulletins, PowerPoint presentations, and announcements. I do, and help with, miscellaneous tasks as needed. (I.E. newsletters, phone calls, emails, and website upkeep) to name a few.
I have a passion for working with children and helping others. In this role, I look forward to assisting in anyway the Lord needs me. I also have a passion for animals. It has always been a gift of mine, especially working with horses. I look forward to seeing you in church and getting to know you more. |
Bob Johnson - Lay Leader
I have been the Lay leader since 2001. An effective lay leader functions as the primary representative and role model of the Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The Lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation. My role is to help the pastor in any way I can to make their job easier. This is the only church I’ve ever been a member of and my desire is to serve God and this congregation in any way I can. I try to follow the words of the Apostle Paul, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
I taught Sunday school for about 18 years and then took a break while starting a small business and I have been filling in for about the last 6 or 7 years.
My main goal as a teacher is to plant seeds. Many years ago, I can’t say when, someone put in my head or heart the idea that God loves everyone, he is all powerful, and that he will take care of you. One day 40 years ago when things weren’t going well in my life, I shouted out, God why is all this happening to me? I suddenly remembered, oh yes there is a God, he loves me and he is all powerful, and he will take care of me.
I’ve been studying the bible for 20+ years, and like most men, I’m still a kid at heart.
I taught Sunday school for about 18 years and then took a break while starting a small business and I have been filling in for about the last 6 or 7 years.
My main goal as a teacher is to plant seeds. Many years ago, I can’t say when, someone put in my head or heart the idea that God loves everyone, he is all powerful, and that he will take care of you. One day 40 years ago when things weren’t going well in my life, I shouted out, God why is all this happening to me? I suddenly remembered, oh yes there is a God, he loves me and he is all powerful, and he will take care of me.
I’ve been studying the bible for 20+ years, and like most men, I’m still a kid at heart.
Becky Korleski - Children's Church
My family (Brian, Christopher, Andrew & Emma) and I have been attending BUMC for about 8 yrs. I started helping in the nursery that my children attended during worship. I help out with Sunday school & children’s church as well as volunteer to help with suppers and VBS.
I have always loved the kindness and acceptance our church gives to the youth that attend and I am proud to help our young believers grow in their faith.
I have always loved the kindness and acceptance our church gives to the youth that attend and I am proud to help our young believers grow in their faith.