FUMC Graham Staff
The staff here at FUMC Graham is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them.
sandra boedeker
program director
As Director of Programs one area of Sandra's ministry includes the coordination of the Caring Ministries of the church - The Samaritans and their benevolent fund, Stephen Ministry, the Friendship Meal, Our Daily Bread, requests for wheelchair ramps, local and international mission outreach. She also coordinates adult learning opportunities, works with Nurture, Outreach, and Witness Committees and the Lay Servant Ministry program, and is a frequent Bible study teacher. Sandra is a long-term member of the staff, having served FUMC for over thirty-six years. "Serving this church has truly been a calling for me. How richly God has blessed my life!"
edith cole
custodian
Edith has been a member of this church for thirty-two years and has been cleaning the church
for about thirteen years. Over the years she has taught all ages of Sunday school and VBS. For about twenty-five years she has helped Children's Church. "I thoroughly enjoy teaching children," Edith adds.
john COLE
CUSTODIAN
John has been a member of FUMC for thirty-two years and started opening up on Sundays
about twenty-five years ago. He serves the church faithfully on Sunday mornings and for Sunday
evening worship.
Jenny Davidson
DIRECTOR of student ministries
Jenny and her family moved to her in-law's ranch in 2018. She had been in student ministry for twenty years and had to resign due to two different chronic illnesses. When they moved to the ranch, Jenny thought her call, her passion to work with students was over. In September 2019, God miraculously healed and restored Jenny's health. She joined us on staff in September 2020. God has restored her calling to student ministry as well. Jenny and her husband, Brian, have two sons that attend GISD schools. "It isn't often that I've had the opportunity to be a part of a church, fall in love with the people and then come on staff. I'm excited about what God is doing in the lives of Jr. High and High School students and that I get to be a part of it!"
dana dickey
Assistant to the Pastor - office manager
Dana joined our staff in 2000 as the Pastor's Secretary, working part-time solely for the Pastor.
She loved being home with her three children and available for all their many activities and this job allowed her the opportunity to balance work and her children through their Graham school days and college days. Four pastors and twenty years later, her children now grown and with five beautiful granddaughters, Dana is still enjoying her now full-time job that has changed greatly over the years. Dana adds, "I am very blessed with this wonderful job that I love, an awesome work family and a extended church family, with many friendships that greatly enriched my work and personal life. I look forward to many more years serving here at FUMC!"
Rev. Ben Disney
Senior Pastor
Ben arrived in July of 2019 and currently serves as Senior Minister. Prior to Graham, Ben led a new church start in North Tarrant County, oversaw the merger of two congregation in Fort Worth and served as East District Superintendent. Ben expressed his feelings about his appointment to Graham, "I had heard about Graham for years before I arrived. Our church has a well deserved reputation of service to others and a genuine passion to help people grow in their faith. What makes Graham and FUMC special are the people. I'm excited to be a part of what God is doing
and look forward to what the future holds for all of us."
Dr. christa friel
Director of music
Dr. Christa Friel is from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and has lived in Texas since 1995. While living in Fort Worth, Christa received a "chance" phone call in January 2000 to come fill in for a week as pianist for FUMC Graham. She decided she would make the 100-mile drive and within a month, her
name was written in the church directory. The rest is history! She has served as Director of Music Ministries since 2010. Christa stays busy accompanying for schools, writing, and teaching on the side. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, riding her scooter, studying genealogy, or being around animals.
christafriel@gmail.com
beth gober
preschool children
Beth has lived in Graham since 1999 and shares her life with her husband Corey, three daughters, two dogs and a cat! (They had guinea pigs at one time but don’t talk about that! YIKES!) Beth and her family have been members now for twenty years! She became the Director of Preschool Ministries through volunteering at the church. Beth notes, "The preacher thought my volunteer hours should count towards a job …. so here I am! God surprises me all the time, and I love that
my job is serving him by teaching the littles!"
jerrol higgins
accompanist
Jerrol was born and raised in Eagle Lake, Texas, where he started playing the piano at age 5.
An accomplished musician with a Masters in Piano Performance, he has played for churches
and the public since he was twelve years old. He and his wife, Tammy, moved to Graham in 2009, at exactly the right time when FUMC was looking for an accompanist. Jerrol shares, "We saw God's hand of leading, and I became the pianist/organist in 2010. I believe that God has called
me to play skillfully for Him and His kingdom, and when I do, I feel his pleasure." Jerrol and
Tammy have three children, Brittany, Connor and Candice, and one grandchild, Mason.
dru isom
elementary children
Dru has been a member of FUMC Graham over twenty-five years. Fifteen years ago she began volunteering in Children's Ministries because they offered free childcare. She explains, "God works in wonderful ways...I discovered my passion and answered my calling! I've been blessed to be the Director of Elementary Children's Ministries for ten years now."
logan norman
weekday fumc preschool director
Logan and her husband moved to Graham from Fayetteville, AR, in 2001. Coming from the Southwest Conference she said she would never live in Texas or live in a small town yet here she is! Graham has been a wonderful place to raise two children, Luke and daughter, Kyndall. When Kyndall went to Kindergarten Logan said she wanted another child and her husband said "get a job with kids," and Suzy Graham hired her at FUMC Preschool. She taught the three year old class for ten years and has been the director the past two years. Logan shares, "I love the sweet kiddos I greet every morning and seeing them walk out of school happy makes my day every day."
