The Staff of Arborlawn
Pastoral Staff
Rev. Ben Disney
Senior Minister
ben@arborlawnumc.org
Rev. Ben Disney serves as Senior Minister of Arborlawn with an extensive background of pastoral leadership in a variety of congregational settings. His ministerial experience has been focused primarily on evangelism, new church development and congregational transformation. In 2005 Rev. Disney was appointed as Senior Minister to oversee the process of uniting two existing congregations leading to the creation of Arborlawn. Rev. Disney and his wife Stacey have two teenagers, Cameron and Laura.
The story of Arborlawn is about a remarkable congregation that has chosen to defy conventional wisdom and embrace God’s vision for a new future. It’s a church characterized by a deep and profound belief that with God all things are possible. In this grand journey we’re continually learning and discovering invaluable lessons about what it means to step out in faith, to give ourselves away in love and service to others, to learn and grow together, to become the people and the church God created us to be, and to reach out into the community and the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Arborlawn is in the process of building for the future in order to help build the kingdom. The future building plans are a key part of the greater vision of what God has called us to be and do in our surrounding community. That vision is now unfolding before our eyes. In short, we’re an unconventional church who discovered a valuable and unforgettable lesson along the way. The choice to do things differently often leads to wonderful and unexpected surprises. It’s now inside of us, with us and a permanent part of us. It’s in our DNA. Meaning the next time we’re faced with a choice between listening to conventional wisdom or following God’s call, we’ll know what to do.
Rev. Paul Gravley
Associate Pastor
paul@arborlawnumc.org
Paul’s passion is connecting people to God and to each other. You might find Paul leading and preaching in the InSearch Contemporary Service or as comfortably in the Traditional services. In addition, he leads the ever-growing Crossing Point Young Professionals (25ish-35ish) class, helps direct the worship committee, and is active in writing weekly devotionals. He holds degrees, with honors from Southwestern University (Georgetown, Texas) and from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas). He is also on the National Board of Directors for Keeping Under Christ, Inc, a national collegiate fraternity. His wife, Stephanie, teaches in the Crowley ISD, and they enjoy time with their son Luke, greyhound Cosmo and cat Ty. You can keep up with Paul on his blog at gracerant.wordpress.com.
Rev. Lee Trigg
Associate Pastor
lee@arborlawnumc.org
Rev. Lee Trigg helps coordinate Arborlawn's 20 adult Sunday school classes, as well as the church's myriad small groups and adult Bible studies. A second-career pastor who spent 15 years as a newspaper reporter and editor, Lee teaches extensively and helps develop curriculum and discipleship opportunities at Arborlawn. He preaches regularly at InSearch, Arborlawn's contemporary worship service, and writes a weekly devotional. He is a graduate of Southwest Texas University and is finishing his Masters of Divinity Degree at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. Lee and his wife, Melissa, have three children: Andrew, 13; Connor, 10; and Emma, 6.
Program Staff
Nell Cantwell
Nursery Team Leader
nell@arborlawnumc.org
Nell Cantwell is the Nursery Coordinator at Arborlawn United Methodist Church. Her goal is to provide loving relationships in a Christian and nurturing relationship. She has spent 15 years working with Children’s' Day Out programs, Parents' Night Out and nursery care. She is married to Conan. They have 2 children, Ginny and Katy.
Kim Cordell
Director of Children’s Ministries
kim@arborlawnumc.org
Kim’s mission at Arborlawn is to help kids connect to God and to the church. Her passion is for kids to learn about the love and grace that God has to offer them. She works primarily with children birth through fifth grade; with Children's Council; and with Children's Sunday school. She holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in education and has taught school in Crowley and Fort Worth. She has been married to Billy for 17 years and has 2 children, Kelsey and Keaton.
Abby Flookes
Director of Student Ministries
abby@arborlawnumc.org
Abby grew up in Arlington and Grapevine where she graduated from Grapevine High School in 1997. She went on to graduate with a Bachelors of Science from Texas Christian University (Fort Worth Texas) and she is a licensed Social Worker. Through College she worked at Glen Lake Camp and the Methodist Home in Waco where she found her love for youth ministry. She brings over 10 years of student ministry experience, and with that has honed her special ability to share in meaningful relationships with the students. She loves the simple act of learning about her youth and interacting with their lives. Abby also loves that people like David Crowder and Chris Tomlin have given today’s young people some new outlets to worship but she’s always mindful to give thanks for the gifts that God has graced us all with. She has many favorite verses, including Phil. 4:13; Hebrews 12:1-7; Romans 5:1-5.
Rev. Verne Fuqua
Director of Visitation
Verne is a "visiting" minister - he spends much of his time visiting members of our congregation in their homes rather than working within the church. At present, he visits homebound, nursing homes and assisted living facilities daily. If you would like a visit, please contact the church so we can put you in touch with Verne.
Rev. Kyle Glenn
Director of Senior Ministries
kyle@arborlawnumc.org
Kyle is an Associate Pastor charged to serve the ministries of the church pertaining to our senior adults under the direction of the Senior Pastor. Retired in June, 1998 from the Central Texas Conference, Rev. Glenn serves in a part-time capacity.
Dana Thompson
Director of Mother’s Day Out
Dana Thompson has directed the Mother's Day Out programs for over 30 years. Dana’s husband, Bruce is a Pharmacist and they have one son, Travis who attended the Mother’s Day Out program starting at 2 years old. He is now involved in radiation oncology in Fort Worth.
Dr. Judy Williamson
Director of Evangelism and Hospitality
judy@arborlawnumc.org
Arborlawn UMC has more than 400 new members since September 11, 2005. These new members, church guests and other members move toward devoted discipleship through personal development in prayer, Bible study, Myers Briggs Personality spirituality type awareness, spiritual gifts development and participation in mission opportunities. Six original mission projects have been created at Arborlawn. Dr. Judy Williamson directs the volunteers who lead and participate on the various evangelism, hospitality, missions and Stephen Ministry teams. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.A. from Stanford University and a B.S. from Texas Christian University. She is a qualified Myer Briggs trainer and a certified Stephen Minister Leader. Currently, she is completing a Master of Divinity degree at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University as part of her pursuit of ordination in the United Methodist Church. Her husband, Walton, is Chair of the Engineering Department at TCU. They have a son Walton and a daughter Jillian.
Gretchen Dills
Director of Arborlawn Children’s Center
children@arborlawnumc.org
Gretchen Dills has been involved in education for over a decade. She holds a Master's degree from Texas Chrisian University in Education. In addition to her degree programs, she has taught in a number of places, including Fort Worth ISD where she created a literacy program for homeless students. The Children’s Center program incorporates learning in a loving, Christian environment. The philosophy behind the curriculum is that children learn best by doing. The program offers a developmentally and age appropriate curriculum for all ages. She lives with her husband, Brian and their three young children in Benbrook.
Music Ministry
Rev. Tom Stoker
Minister of Music
Rev. Tom Stoker coordinates the work and staff of the music ministries, comprised of 11 choirs & ensembles for all ages. He also serves as conductor of the Santuary Choir. With over 30 years experience, Tom has served community groups, performing arts groups, faith groups and educational institutions. He has a Bachelor of Music from Samford University (Birmingham, AL) and a Masters of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth TX). He and wife, Pam, have 2 married children and 2 grandchildren.
Dr. Jerry Westenkuehler
Associate Director of Music Ministries
jerry@arborlawnumc.org
Dr. Jerry Westenkuehler serves as Arborlawn's organist, accompanist for the Sanctuary Choir, and director of the youth, youth handbell, and children's handbell choirs. He is an internationally respected as a composer of organ improvisation and handbell repertoire. Jerry has a Bachelor of Science in Organ Performance, Music Education and Church Music from William Jewell College (Liberty MO), a Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth TX).
Jennifer Portele
Director of Children’s Music
Jennifer Portele serves Arborlawn as the Children’s Music Coordinator and teaches the Older Children’s Choir, which is made up of students in grades 3-6. She is also the Director of Choirs and Department Chair at Barnett Junior High School in Arlington. Jennifer grew up in Rowlett, Texas and spent most of her time performing in many different groups at Lakeview Centennial High School. Jennifer graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2001 with a B. A. in Music, with an emphasis in voice and music media. She was very active on campus performing with the A Capella Choir, Chamber Singers and was Captain of the Maverick Stars Dance Team. She was also a 3 year officer of Delta, Delta Delta Sorority and held leadership positions in many UTA student organizations. Jennifer feels lucky to have been exposed to great music while growing up by her parents, both singers, and her fabulous music teachers throughout her life. She continues her love of singing by singing in the Sanctuary Choir and in the Arlington Master Chorale. But her greatest loves in life are her husband, Steven and her daughter, Kate Madeline, born in August of 2006
Administrative Staff
Lori Cotton
Communications Coordinator
lori@arborlawnumc.org
Lori’s role at the church is to keep those who need to know in the know. Whether it be emailing, editing newsletters, or producing the worship guide, she does it with a sense of joy and compassion. She is a member of AUMC, works with Arborlawn Music Ministry as an administrative assistant, is active in Restorative Justice Ministries, and attends Brite Divinity School. Moreover, she is in the process to becoming a pastor in the United Methodist Church.
Rachelle Emerson
Student Ministries Intern
Rachelle Emerson grew up in the small town of Roanoke known only because of Babes Chicken. She graduated from Northwest High School in 2004. Since then she has been working on her bachelor’s degree in early education at TCC, but soon will be heading to Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth. She first realized her love for youth when she was a youth, in 6th or 7th grade when she heard the call of Christ on a mission trip with CTCYM, to be a youth pastor. She has been striving towards that goal ever since. She loves the work she does with the Arborlawn students, and she is excited to see where God takes us all in the future! Her favorite verse is 1 John 3:1-4.
Herman Holbert
Building Services
herman@arborlawnumc.org
Herman has enjoyed working at Arborlawn UMC since 2001. He has two grandsons whom he enjoys spending time with. In his free time, Herman enjoys carpentry work and spending time with friends.
Joe Melhart
Business Administrator
joe@arborlawnumc.org
Joe Melhart is the Business Administrator. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and a M.S. in Systems Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is married to Bonnie and has three daughters; Kelly, Susan, and Lauren.
Mary Prothero
Missions and Program Secretary
mary@arborlawnumc.org
Mary, who is the voice of Arborlawn when you call, is our Missions and Program Secretary. As Mission’s secretary, Mary oversees our Food Pantry and is the contact person for Helping Hands. She is also in charge of scheduling church events on our church calendar. Prior to the unification of the two congregations, Mary worked at Westcliff UMC for four years. She enjoys reading, knitting, and writing poetry.
Sherry Roth
Office Manager
sherry@arborlawnumc.org
Sherry provides administrative assistance to the pastoral staff and oversees the office support team. She brings with her over 15 years of Church leadership experience. Sherry holds a music degree from Wayland Baptist University and is part of the praise band at Burleson Bible Church in Burleson, TX. She is married to Jaris and they have three children. She enjoys writing and is currently working on a book entitled In My Spare Time…. It is blank.
Joy Tyner
Building Services
joy@arborlawnumc.org
“Working with this congregation can be a lot of fun!" says Joy Tyner. She has enjoyed the members and staff since the beginning of Arborlawn. She has a son, Jody, and loves to watch Jody's baseball games, work in her yard, and spend time with her mother, sister and niece.