Our Staff

Executive Director

Allan Ballenger

Native Virginian, grew up in Annandale, Staunton and Lincoln. Graduated from Loudoun Valley High School and UVA (Electrical Engineering) and married his high school sweetheart, Judi, who graduated from Loudoun County High School. Allan is a retired Air Force Colonel; he spent 30 years in Program Management and Acquisition, managing large aircraft and space programs. Allan then spent 10 years in the Defense & Aerospace industry as a Corporate Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, then in 2020 he felt called to serve the church and community more directly.

Allan’s role at Floris UMC is to execute the Lead Pastor’s strategic vision of the church by directing the overall programmatic and operational aspects of the church, ensuring that focus areas of our church (Worship, Serve, Grow, Share and Give) are fully integrated across all ministries, staffing needs are addressed and managed accordingly and that the administrative operations (finance, administration, facilities, human resources, technology and communication) of the church are run effectively and support programs.

Care Ministries Coordinator

Carol Benson

Carol grew up in Northern Virginia and Brussels, Belgium. She graduated with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech, where she met her husband, Mike. Carol, Mike and their three adult boys enjoy traveling together and cheering for the Hokies, the Nationals and the Steelers. Carol has been a member of Floris UMC since 1999.

Carol enjoys supporting the various care ministries at Floris UMC and coordinating memorial services at the church.

First job: Summer camp counselor at the International School of Brussels

Favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:6-7

Idea of a perfect day: On any vacation, hiking at a beautiful place with my family.

Engagement and Hospitality Coordinator

Pam Bentley

Pam spent most of her childhood in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Texas Christian University (Go Frogs!) and Master of Music from the University of North Texas. After years of teaching all levels of music and playing professional clarinet, Pam felt called to pursue work in ministry. What began as a volunteer position with kids on a Sunday morning gradually became a passion for helping people grow in faith. Pam has led children, youth, college students and people of all ages to know God, love God and share God’s love with others.

After serving in the Children’s Ministry for Floris UMC and Restoration Reston (2016-17), she is happy to be back. Pam married her high school sweetheart, David, a retired Navy officer. They have two grown daughters, Liz and Kate, and a very affectionate cat, Fifi.

Job responsibilities: As Engagement and Hospitality Coordinator, Pam helps create a church culture where all people are seen, known, welcome and comfortable. She connects people to each other and people to ministries and programs to grow in faith and serve in love.

First job: A hostess in a pie shop.

Favorite Bible verse: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Idea of a perfect day: A morning run by the water, some card games with her family and ice-cream.

Lead Pastor

Tom Berlin

Rev. Tom Berlin is Lead Pastor of Floris UMC. Tom was raised in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and has lived in Virginia most of his life. He attended Virginia Tech and received a BS in business with a major in public administration. His Master of Divinity is from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He is married to Karen, and they have four daughters.

Tom began working at Floris UMC in 1997. As Lead Pastor of the church, Tom’s main responsibilities are to provide spiritual leadership to the congregation and staff of Floris UMC. He leads worship, preaches, shares the sacraments and enjoys teaching. Tom works with the Church Council to discern and cast the vision for the church and leads the staff to create ministry strategies.

Favorite Bible verse: Romans 1:16-17

First job: Delivering papers for the Winchester Evening Star

Idea of a perfect day: Spending a day at the beach – any beach, any time

Executive Assistant

Pam Borland

Pam grew up in Arizona, Southern California and suburban Chicago. Her family’s roots are in Alabama, and she loved going back there every year when growing up. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, majoring in accounting. She has three beautiful children and a wonderful son-in-law. Her family has attended Floris UMC since 1994.

Pam began working at Floris UMC in June 2002 as the church secretary. Her role has changed over the years. Although she works closely with the communications team and others on staff, her primary responsibility is to provide administrative support to the lead pastor.

Favorite Bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11

First job: Helping at the front counter at Leo’s Cleaners in Lisle, Illinois.

Most interesting vacation: Traveling to the Holy Land with Floris UMC in 2011 and 2014.

Children's & Family Ministries Director

Kelly Crespin

Kelly grew up in Japan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. She has a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Arts in education from the University of Virginia. Kelly has over 25 years of teaching experience ranging from kindergarten through high school. While living in San Antonio, Texas, and homeschooling her two daughters, Kelly also worked as the assistant director in children’s ministry at a large church, was active in Girl Scouts at the regional level for over 12 years, wrote for various educational publishing companies and worked as a homeschool book and product reviewer online.

Her adventures with Floris UMC started in January 2014 when she left Texas to move to Virginia and became the new children’s ministries director. She has two daughters – one is a teacher in Texas and the other lives and works in northern Virginia – plus two adorable dogs. Kelly loves to incorporate creativity into the programs she leads and see children smile when they talk about Jesus.

First job: Working in a library shelving books, checking out books for people, answering reference questions and creating book displays.

Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 46:10

Most people don’t know this about her: She was a medical simulation scenario patient in Texas who helped train medical students for real-life scenarios.

Modern Worship & Ministry Innovations Director

Megan Seals Dietrick

Megan spent her childhood in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, which is a small mountain town nestled between the Tennessee and Kentucky borders. Her family has a rich musical heritage, and many family gatherings were spent singing along with guitars, banjos, and tambourines. Megan received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in teaching from James Madison University before beginning a teaching career in Fairfax County. For eight years Megan taught fifth and sixth grades at Floris Elementary, where she grew to love the Floris community. However, in 2015, she left the classroom to pursue a calling in worship ministry. Megan has been a vocalist and instrumentalist with the Floris UMC contemporary band, Full Circle Band, since 2008, which helped inspire her passion for worship and music ministry. She is now pursuing a certification in Christian studies at Wesley Theological Seminary.

Megan is responsible for leading worship with Full Circle Band at the 9:15 a.m. contemporary music service and 5 p.m. contemporary service. She coordinates the band and aligns the music ministry with the sermons and vision of the church.

Idea of a perfect day: Exploring a new place and seeking out an adventure.

Most people don’t know this about her: Megan has been onboard a zero-gravity flight (aka the Vomit Comet)!

Most interesting vacation: Viewing the Northern Lights, hiking behind waterfalls, observing breaching humpback whales and eating shark.

Sound Engineer/ A/V Producer

Anthony Doleman

Anthony is from Washington D.C. and grew up in Prince Georges County, including Landover and Hyattsville, Maryland. He moved to Orlando, Florida, immediately after high school graduation. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Recording Arts, he took his knowledge and skills to Atlanta, Georgia. After collaborating with various talent, Anthony returned to Maryland, looking for work where his skills are valued. What better place than Floris UMC?

Job responsibilities: Record services and performances at Floris UMC, as well as edit the audio and visual for the Floris UMC website.

Something most people don’t know: An instrumental video tagged with his voice went viral on TikTok.

Most interesting vacation: On his birthday in 2013, he watched LeBron James play the 76ers in Philadelphia.

Video Streaming Editor/Producer

Alexis Doty

Communications Project Coordinator

Laura Downs

Adult Ministries Coordinator

Carol Edwards

Carol is a native of Northern Virginia, born and raised in Fairfax. She earned a Bachelor of Science in public administration from George Mason University a Master of Arts in human resources management from Marymount University. She worked in human resources in the telecommunications industry before becoming a stay-at-home mom when her first child was born until she began working at Floris UMC in 2007.

Carol is married to her husband, Dave, has two young adult children and two crazy Labrador retrievers who love to swim and chase tennis balls all day.

Carol worked for Floris UMC’s Communication department for 11 years and transitioned to the Adult Ministries department in 2018. As the Adult Ministries Coordinator, Carol is responsible for assisting the Director of Grow Ministries in executing the Lead Pastor’s strategic vision of the church by overseeing the development and execution of adult discipleship related programs and material. She also focuses on delivering a consistent, spiritual learning experience for adults who participate in discipleship activities that allows them to stay connected and to grow in their relationship with God.

Idea of a perfect day: Spending the day on the beach with her husband, kids, dogs, family and friends.

Most interesting vacation: Hiking through the rainforest in St. Lucia where she saw extraordinary waterfalls and exotic birds, animals and plants.

Grow Ministries Coordinator

Christen Garland

Christen grew up in Kentucky and has lived in Northern Virginia since 2011. She enjoys cooking, eating, gardening and painting. She also practices boxing, tae kwon do and capoeira. 

Christen is an analytics enthusiast who thrives on solving problems and figuring out the mystery. Her son takes after her, and they can spend hours together playing strategy games.

Christen loves to hike in the mountains, to feel the wind on her face. It feels like God is kissing her cheek.

Job Responsibilities: Christen supports Student and Children’s Ministries by coordinating the administrative details for programs, events, communications and life groups. She also maintains the church database as it relates to Student and Children’s Ministries.

Director of Grow Ministries

Bill Gray

Following a calling to lay ministry Bill joined the Floris staff as a part-time employee in January 2013. Subsequently, in May of 2013, he became full time as the Director of Adult Ministries. In March of 2014, Bill assumed the role of Director of Grow Ministries. In this capacity, he is responsible for the education, programmatic development and group life of our adults, students and children. Bill is also responsible for the oversight of the Floris UMC Preschool. Bill completed his Master of Arts in Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary in the Spring of 2018.

Bill is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a fan of anything Pittsburgh. He moved to the DC area to complete his MBA at George Washington University in 1984. He and his wife of 35 years, Monica, became members of Floris UMC in 1991. Bill worked in the telecommunications industry for 14 years serving in various senior management positions in finance, marketing, and program management. Bill and Monica have four wonderful children and Max – a pet store terrier that just happened to be the best dog in the world. He loves art, the creative process, cooking and spending time surrounded by the awe of God’s creation.

Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 46:10 & Romans 12:2

Financial Assistant

Debbie Gregory

Debbie moved to Northern Virginia from New England as a child. She has lived all over Northern Virginia but settled in Centreville, where she raised her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Scientific computing at the University of Virginia, and a master of arts degree in Practical Theology from Regent University. She is married, has two grown children, and one grandchild (so far). She enjoys reading, knitting, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Debbie is responsible for administrative support to the Finance Office. She performs financial transactions and keeps records for the church.

Favorite Bible verse: Romans 12:1-2

Idea of a perfect day: A day full of sunshine and family.

Most interesting vacation: While vacationing at Club Med Ixtapa, she learned to fly on the trapeze!

Administrative Assistant

Terri Hageny

Terri was born in Massachusetts but was raised in sunny southern California. She returned to the east coast to make Herndon, Virginia, her home in 2011. The “apples of my eye” are her four children; Joshua, Nicholas, Haley and Hunter. She has been on many paths from restaurant owner to computer software rep to the director of resources for a southern California food bank. She is blessed that Floris UMC is where she finds herself today.

Terri’s responsibilities working for Floris UMC include making sure the front office and all the staff are supported. She looks forward to meeting old and new friends each and every day.

Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 91:4

Idea of a perfect day: Time spent with my children and friends.

Most interesting vacation: Exploring a castle in the countryside of Switzerland.

Human Resources & Finance Director

Karen Heier

Karen grew up in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley until finishing college and moving to the Northern Virginia area. Karen has a Bachelor of Arts in rhetoric and communication studies from the University of Virginia and began her career in the banking industry. She currently lives in Herndon, Virginia, with her husband and three daughters. She began working at Floris UMC in June 2006.

Karen manages the human resources area for the church, including payroll and employee staffing, and oversees daily financial operations in conjunction with the finance team. She enjoys the opportunity to serve God through her work in the church.

First job: Waitressing in her hometown

Favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:4-7, Philippians 4:13

Idea of a perfect day: Spending the day with her family outdoors or watching one of her favorite sports, live or otherwise.

Church Accountant

Erin Hickman

Erin grew up in Northern Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the College of William and Mary. Erin lives in Leesburg with her husband, Paul, their two girls and their dog, Theo. She enjoys cooking, exercising and spending time with family and friends.

Job responsibilities: Erin loves being on staff at Floris UMC. Her primary responsibilities include account reconciliation, budgeting and financial reporting and analysis.

Idea of a perfect day: Eating good food and watching movies with her husband

Favorite Bible verse: Hebrews 11:1

First job: Working in a souvenir store.

Child Care Supervisor

Wendy Hilbert

Wendy was born and raised in Northern Virginia and graduated from Chantilly High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in health and recreation management from George Mason University and her Master of Arts degree in management from American Public University. Wendy has worked for Fairfax County Parks and Recreation and has served as an adjunct professor for APU.

Wendy was overjoyed to join the Floris UMC staff in January 2013 and loves helping share God’s love with the children of Floris UMC.

First job: Working at Total Crafts in Chantilly, Virginia

Favorite Bible verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Idea of a perfect day: Doing something fun outside such as going to the zoo, apple picking, having a fun day at the beach or going to a local farm with her two sons, daughter and husband.

Most interesting vacation: A trip to Europe with stops in Ireland, Scotland, England, Paris and Holland.

Children's Ministries Assistant

Sara Holl

Accompanist

Ellen Im

Eunbin grew up in Seoul, Korea where she received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in piano performance. While in Korea, she performed solo recitals and various chamber music, accompanied at the opera theatre and for numerous choirs. In 2001, she came to the United States and graduated two years later from the San Francisco Conservatory with honors. In 2005, she earned her graduate performance diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in piano performance.

Eunbin has worked as a church accompanist at Sang-dong Methodist Church in Seoul, Korea and Berkeley UMC in Berkeley, Ca, and First Korean UMC in Herndon. She gives private piano lessons and is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association and National Guild of Piano. Eunbin began working at Floris UMC in May 2014.

First job: Teaching private piano lessons

Favorite Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13: 1

Idea of a perfect day: Spending time on the beach with her husband and daughter.

Administrative Assistant

Annetta Kronz

Annetta is a native of Connecticut, but she has lived in Virginia for more than 40 years. After retiring from teaching for many years, she joined the administrative staff at Floris UMC. Her responsibilities include answering the phones, ordering supplies for the various ministries of the church and scheduling baptisms. She also performs administrative tasks for the Small Groups ministry.

She enjoys doing needlework and reading. She also enjoys gardening and traveling, especially taking cruises.

First job: Working as a secretary in her father’s office

Favorite Bible verse: Psalms 25:4-5

Most interesting vacation: Cruising through the Panama Canal

Graphic Design Specialist

Justin Lago

Justin is an Ohio native who settled in Virginia after his service in the Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from George Mason University.

Job responsibilities: Graphic design support and visual information/brand specialist.

First job: Selling sweet corn out of the back of a big yellow truck.

Favorite Bible verse: Luke 6:27

Something most people don’t know: Justin completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 2007.

Preschool Director

Debbie Lawler

Debbie became the preschool director at Floris UMC in May 2014. Floris UMC Preschool is the fourth preschool that Debbie has had the privilege to run in her career. Previously, she was a director in Warner Robins, Georgia; Hampton, Virginia; and Fairfax, Virginia. Debbie has a Bachelor of Arts in education from Arizona State University. She grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, where her parents still live today. She met her husband, Scott, when she was 15 and married him several years later. Debbie and Scott traveled the country while Scott served in the Air Force for 21 years. They settled in the Northern Virginia area in 1997 and have two grown children.

Debbie enjoys the challenge of running a preschool with 170 children and 20 staff members. Her responsibilities include communicating with parents, church staff, teachers and, of course, playing with the preschoolers (obviously the best part of every day)!

First job: Being a summer camp counselor at First Baptist Church in Tallahassee

Favorite Bible verse: Matthew 19:26 and Philippians 4:13

Idea of a perfect day: Skiing down the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado, with her family or sitting on the beach with a good book and a cool beverage.

Most people don’t know this about her: She is an avid sports fan, especially college sports!

Most interesting vacation: Exploring the Caribbean islands with her family during a week-long cruise.

Serve Ministries Director

Shell Lewis-Akasiaka

Born in raised in New York City, Shell earned her M.A. in English from Brooklyn College (CUNY). Her collegiate experience unearthed a desire to uplift the community. Shell has worked with underserved youth and their families as a Tutor Manager at a New York City based non-profit offering free tutoring to elementary school students and employment opportunities to teens. She was a Program Manager, coaching a cohort of Community School Directors and providing technical support to school leadership teams on the tenets of the community school model/approach. Recently, Shell provided partnership and programmatic advisement to a newly-formed non-profit in the Bronx, New York. In February 2022, Shell and her husband relocated to Virginia, and she is delighted to join the Floris UMC family.

Job responsibilities: Shell leads Serve Ministries, providing congregants with pathways for continued public service. She also serves as the point of contact for partnership engagement and supplemental support.

Favorite Bible verse: John 8:7

Most interesting vacation: Shell took herself to Mexico! She recommends at least one solo trip, if not more. She moved at her own pace and did what she wanted to do. It was great!

Building & Membership Coordinator

Peggy Manduke

Peggy is a native Washingtonian, having grown up in Falls Church. She studied accounting at NOVA. Peggy and her husband, Mark, have two lovely children and a black lab named Shadow. She has three older brothers, ‘The Beech Boys,” who also live in the area.

Peggy’s responsibilities at Floris UMC include processing building usage requests; maintaining guests and membership data, and assisting with the coordination of large church community events.

First job: Soldering printed circuit boards, and wire wrap and making cables for computers for military contracts

Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 23

Idea of a perfect day: Relaxing by the water, reading a good book and being around family

Most interesting vacation: Off-roading in Bryce Canyon, Utah, with her husband and kids

Website Coordinator

Kara Manton

Kara spent her childhood in Georgia before moving to Northern Virginia in 1987. She graduated with a B.S. in Accounting Information Systems from Virginia Tech where she met her husband. They have two children who enjoy playing games, exploring Reston’s paths and pools, and going to the beach together.

Kara began working at Floris UMC in August 2020.

First job: Office support for National Association of Schools of Music in Reston.

Idea of a perfect day: Relaxing with family on a beach or in the water.

Most interesting vacation: Two weeks in India where she ate lots of curry and naan, haggled at outdoor markets and experienced the Taj Mahal.

Associate Pastor/Loudoun County Campus Pastor

Jake McGlothin

Jake is originally from New Orleans and is married to a woman who is way too good for him. He is a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and loves to cook and eat.

Jake gained much of his nonprofit experience from his work in disaster recovery in post-Katrina New Orleans. Jake received his Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University in history and his master of Arts from Wesley Theological Seminary. He loves music, podcasts and old movies. Jake is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, having served two years in the Republic of Armenia.

First job: Delivering pizza

Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 58

Idea of a perfect day: Practicing Jiu-jitsu, taking a long hike with his wife and dog and enjoying a delicious meal of grilled meats.

Most people don’t know this about me: Jake can clap with one hand.

Most interesting vacation: Traveling through Turkey and Greece while serving in the Peace Corps.

Middle School Program Director

Pepe Miller

Pepe spent his younger years in Tennessee or on military bases, but he somehow settled in Northern Virginia. He graduated from George Mason University after studying psychology and conflict resolution. He is married to Kelly, and they have three wonderful children.

Pepe started working at Floris UMC in December 2016 as the interim middle school coordinator and transitioned to the middle school program director in March 2017.

First job: Working with the Youth Conservation Core

Idea of a perfect day: Spending time with family doing something outdoors

Associate Pastor/Director of Worship

Barbara Miner

Barbara spent her childhood years in Ohio. She attended school in Birmingham, Alabama, so she could dance with a local ballet company and complete her degree in Christian education and fine arts. After graduation, she met and married her husband, Marty, and spent the next few years as a military spouse. She and Marty have three grown children.

Barbara has served as a pastor at Floris UMC since 2006. As director of worship, Barbara’s main responsibilities are to offer vital, God-honoring worship in a variety of styles for the congregation. She also oversees Floris UMC’s Care Ministry and takes pleasure in ensuring that compassionate, spirit-filled care is offered to those in crisis or times of difficulty. She enjoys preaching and teaching and considers it a privilege to be a pastor at Floris UMC.

First job: Wrapping candy at a local candy factory in her hometown

Favorite Bible verse: Isaiah 43:1-3

Idea of a perfect day: Spending time with family and playing games, preferably on or near the water

Director of Communications

Tasha Mitchell

Tasha grew up in a large family in North Florida with deep Christian roots, but always found a way to chart her own path. Through her conviction and knowing the gospel truth, she strives to market His name. As the oldest, she experienced the soulful sounds of Sunday service in her grandparent’s church. Education being highly regarded within her family, she graduated with a business degree from the University of Central Florida.

While in Florida, she stayed active in church, community, and worked in the corporate marketing departments for diverse industries including finance, publishing, and non-profit. Even though she will occasionally chant, “Go Gators”, she calls Northern Virginia home with her husband and two sons.

Job responsibilities: Tasha strongly believes that collaboration is the key to success. Tasha’s role at Floris UMC is to lead a dynamic communication and audio/visual team to implement a comprehensive communicative marketing strategy that increases brand awareness and recognition within the community and beyond.

First job: Working in retail in her hometown.

Favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:13

Idea of a perfect day: Watching crime dramas with her family.

Something most people don’t know: Tasha was in a movie with Jeff Goldblum.

Traditional Music Director

Yoon Nam

Yoon is from Seoul, Korea. She came to America to study music in 1996 at Indiana University where she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in music. Yoon has two beautiful daughters who love music. Yoon started working at Floris UMC in August 2010. She has worked as music director for more than a decade at United Methodist churches.

First job: Giving piano lessons

Favorite Bible verse: Micah 6:6-8

Idea of a perfect day: Enjoying a 70-degree day with blue skies, fresh air, beautiful clouds and a breeze, a cup of coffee with a piece of cake in a comfortable chair while talking with friends and family

Most interesting vacation: Traveling to Bruges, Belgium with friends in 1994

Social Media Specialist

Dylan Nichols

Dylan was born and raised in Hagerstown, Maryland. He continues to live in Hagerstown and commutes nearly 135 miles daily to be a part of the church communications team.

Dylan began college at Bridgewater College outside of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Virginia became a special place for Dylan, which is what ultimately led him to Floris UMC. He loves the people of Virginia and enjoys serving the people of the church and the greater community.

While he started at Bridgewater College, Dylan eventually would finish his bachelor’s degree at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in political science with a concentration in analytics and public policy.

Dylan is responsible for all of Floris UMC and Restoration Church’s social media platforms, as well as all of the content and events being posted on the pages. He is dedicated to keeping everyone up-to-date and bringing them an amazing social media experience.

First job: Folding clothes at Sears

Favorite Bible verse: Psalms 23:1

Most interesting vacation: Spent the entire summer just traveling through Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania

Preschool Assistant Director

Karen O’Dell

Director of Restoration Campuses/Reston Campus Pastor

Daniel Park

Rev. Daniel Park was born in New Jersey and grew up in New York City. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY), and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Drew Theological School (Madison, NJ). He was ordained in 2008 and is a full elder of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has served in a variety of church plants and has a wide range of ministry experience such as children, youth, young adults, families, and older adults as well as multiracial contexts. Daniel is married to Rev. Isaiah Park and they have four children.

Job responsibilities: Daniel is the campus pastor of Restoration Reston. His responsibilities are for visioning, strategy, preaching, church planting, overseeing the Restoration staff team, and lay leadership development for Restoration. His responsibilities also include directing the Restoration campuses and serving on the Executive Staff of Floris-Restoration.

First job: Assembling the Sunday newspaper at a convenience store

Favorite Bible verse: Luke 4:40

Something most people don’t know: He plays the piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, hand percussion, sings and writes music.

Associate Pastor

Isaiah Park

Rev. Isaiah Park was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies and a minor in Biblical Studies from Biola University (La Miranda, California). She has completed her coursework for the Master of Divinity Degree at Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC). She is a licensed local pastor in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. She has served in many different church settings that involve church planting, ministry to children and youth, young adults, and multigenerational contexts. She is married to Rev. Dr. Daniel Park and they have four beautiful children.

Job responsibilities: Isaiah is involved half-time at Restoration Reston, and the other half of her time is at Floris UMC and Restoration Loudoun. Her responsibilities are to provide leadership in the areas of evangelism and missional engagement across all sites of Floris-Restoration.

Idea of a perfect day: At the beach in front of a bonfire, praising God.

Favorite Bible verse: John 6:29

Something most people don’t know: She almost became a professional golfer!

Serve Ministries Coordinator

Donna Porter

Donna was born and raised in California and moved to Virginia in 1983. She grew up attending University Christian Church in Berkeley, California. Donna is married and has three grown children, two beautiful grandchildren and five small dogs. She has fun attending several Small Groups at Floris UMC—a great way to meet people!

Donna began working at Floris UMC in 1989 when it was just her, the pastor and the choir director on staff, and she did everything but clean the windows! It has been a thrill for her to watch this small church on the corner grow into such a large presence that affects many areas in this community. She now reports to the director of serve ministries, and her job consists of supporting all local, community and worldwide Serve Ministries.

First job: Working as a receptionist for a construction company in California

Favorite Bible verse: Romans 8:38-39 (Donna found this scripture in her mother’s wallet the day she passed away and has kept it with her ever since.)

Idea of a perfect day: Laughing with her grandchildren, family and good friends

Most people don’t know this about Donna: She’s really tall—being short is just an illusion!

Most interesting vacation: Visiting North Africa in the 1970s.

Technical Director

Keri Rafter

Database Specialist

Katie Rakestraw

Katie is originally from North Carolina. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill where she received a BA in secondary education and met her husband, Scott. She has lived in Northern Virginia for more than 20 years and she and Scott have raised their two children here.

As the Database Assistant, Katie is primarily responsible for tracking and reporting information from the church’s database, FellowshipOne.

Your first job: Sold clothes and toys at a small children’s consignment store.

Idea of a perfect day: A sunny, warm day spent on a sailboat with her family and a great book.

Most interesting vacation: A cruise to Alaska – she’d love to go back and explore more of the interior of the state!

Latino Ministries Program Director

Jacqueline de los Ríos

Jacqueline grew up in Argentina and Bolivia and graduated from Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho University in Tarija, Bolivia, with a degree in psychology. She is married to Rosen Todorov, a native of Bulgaria.

Jacqueline has been working at Floris UMC since 2006. She is responsible for the worship, small groups and service opportunities for the Spanish-speaking individuals within the congregation. Jacqueline encourages Latinos to attend Sunday service at 9:15 a.m. in which Floris UMC offers a simultaneous translation in Spanish.

As a cancer survivor, Jacqueline enjoys life to the fullest and admires God’s creation. She has tremendous compassion for immigrants and for those who suffer with illness.

Favorite Bible verse: Luke 6:31

First job: As a psychologist working with orphans and adolescents, as well as with groups of mothers at SOS Children’s Villages in Tarija, Bolivia

Idea of a perfect day: Helping someone and having a personal moment for her faith to grow.

Facilities Technician

Ken Scroggie

Ken graduated from McLean High School and has two beautiful children. He began working at Floris UMC in 2007.

Ken’s primary responsibility includes building operations, such as upkeep of the church grounds and the building. Ken makes sure that the building functions properly for all the groups that utilize it throughout the day.

First job: Assisting in a nursing home kitchen at the age of 14.

Favorite Bible verse: Matthew 18:1-6

Idea of a perfect day: Spending the day with his kids.

Most interesting vacation: Visiting Scotland with his father to meet relatives.

Handbell Coordinator

Laura Shelton

Laura is a native of Northern Virginia and grew up in various United Methodist churches in the area as a minister’s daughter. She has a Bachelor of Arts in social science with a concentration in elementary education from Virginia Wesleyan College. Laura is married, has one son and enjoys living in Sterling, Virginia, with her family.

Laura was the chair of the board for Handbell Musicians of America Area 3 from 2013-2015 and has worked as faculty at multiple Area 3 events.

Laura began working at Floris UMC in January 1998. As the Handbell Coordinator, she directs all five of the handbell and chime choirs at Floris UMC.

First job: Working at Advanced Technology, Inc. in Reston, Virginia, in 1984

Favorite Bible verse: John 3:16

Most people don’t know this about Laura: She has studied music since the third grade and loves working with people of all ages and introducing them to the wonderful world of handbells!

Director of Facilities

Rick Sherbert

Rick joined the church staff in 2012 and is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility, grounds and parsonages. Rick and his team also provide physical support for ministries, groups and events at the church so that they may succeed in their mission.

Rick is a Washington D.C. native and has lived in and around D.C. all his life. He spent many years as a professional glassblower and most recently was the glass program director at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.

Rick has a wonderful son and coaches football for Chantilly Youth Association. When he’s not coaching or working, Rick enjoys watching his son play high school lacrosse and football.

First job: Working as a sales clerk at Ritz Camera.

Idea of a perfect day: Enjoying a beautiful, cool spring or fall day outside with his son and his girlfriend.

Most interesting vacation: Spending time in the Southwest United States, hiking through Arches National Park and snorkeling off of St. Croix.

Access Ministries Coordinator

Lauren Soljanyk

Student Ministries Director

Kara Stuebing

Kara grew up in Pennsylvania and earned a degree in Religious Studies from Penn State University. After graduation, she started working in youth ministry in Northern Virginia. Kara has continued to serve in children and youth ministry roles in Northern Virginia United Methodist Churches. Kara and Darin have a daughter and a pet tortoise named Maddie.

Job responsibilities: Kara oversees student ministries. She works with staff and volunteers to implement a dynamic program to help middle and high school students explore their faith.

First job: Lifeguard

Favorite Bible verse: Romans 5:8

Idea of a perfect day: An open water swim in clear water where you can see marine life, followed by a meal on the beach.

Associate Pastor

Lauren Todd

Lauren grew up as a Navy child, moving from Louisiana to Washington to Virginia and a lot of places in between. She received her Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and her Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University, where she met her husband, Eric. Lauren and Eric married in 2019 and have a yellow lab, Zane.

Job responsibilities: Lauren has been the associate pastor of young adult and diversity ministries since 2022. She works with staff and laity to grow congregational diversity. Lauren is the primary contact for Floris UMC’s young adult demographic. She enjoys hearing the faith stories of the wide variety of people who make Floris UMC such a vital congregation.