Staff
Senior Pastor Larry Varvel was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1959. His family moved to Tulsa in 1971 and Larry graduated from Tulsa Memorial High School in 1978. Larry then attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman as a National Merit Scholar where he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Letters in 1981 and a Master’s degree in Philosophy in 1983.
In 1983, Larry moved to Pasadena, California to attend Fuller Theological Seminary. While in California, Larry met and married his wife Jeanine, a Pasadena native. Larry graduated from Fuller with a Master’s degree in Divinity in 1986 and was ordained as a United Methodist pastor that same year.
Prior to his coming to Broken Arrow in 2003, Larry served as the Associate Pastor at Wesley UMC in Oklahoma City (1986-1988), pastor of the First UMC of Atoka, OK (1988-1990), OK; pastor of Quail Spring UMC in Oklahoma City(1990-1997), and Senior Pastor of the First UMC of Ada, OK (1997-2003). While serving in Ada, Larry was awarded the Denman Award for Excellence in Evangelism by the United Methodist Foundation for Evangelism.
Larry has an extensive background in musical theater and drama. He has appeared in productions at OU and Theatre Tulsa, and has written and performed biblical monologues and short plays. His hobby is collecting comic books and super-hero memorabilia in general, and Batman memorabilia in particular. He has been written into comic books; the fictional 'Rev. Larry Varvel' in DC Comics' Supergirl is based on Larry.
Jeanine Varvel has a degree in child development from California State University and has worked in each of their churches in the area of children’s ministry. Larry and Jeanine have three children: Patty, an Elementary Education major at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Lainie, a senior at Broken Arrow High School, and Andrew, a sophomore at Broken Arrow South Intermediate High School. Lainie and Andrew are current members of the Pride of Broken Arrow Marching Band, Patty is an alumna of the Pride.
The Varvel family enjoys vacationing in the mountains, at the beach and snow skiing. They have a cat, Waldo and a dog, Squirmy.
James was born in Talihina, OK and later moved to Henryetta where he graduated high school. He went to college at Oklahoma State University where he graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. This is also where he met his wife Hilary.
James and Hilary moved to McKinney, TX after graduation and James began seminary at Perkins School of Theology at SMU in Dallas. James graduated in 2009 with a Master of Divinity and was commissioned as a Provisional Elder in the United Methodist Church at the 2009 Oklahoma Annual Conference.
James is a lifelong Methodist, an amateur guitarist and an enthusiastic dog owner. James and Hilary spend as much time as possible outdoors hiking, backpacking, biking, jogging and generally enjoying creation.
Mindy Burdette - Director of Student Ministries
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Mindy grew up in Tulsa and was proud to raise her two wonderful kids, Cole and Haley, in Broken Arrow. Her family joined FUMC in 1983 and Mindy began working in the youth ministry in the mid 90’s. Her amazing husband, Jimmy, to whom she’s been married almost 30 years, is her “right arm” in ministry here at First Church where she has been the Director of Student Ministries since June of 1997.
Mindy believes it is an honor and privilege to work with middle school through college age students and to help bring them to a deeper commitment and closer relationship with Jesus Christ, and considers herself richly blessed by the students and leaders who’ve touched her life over the last 12 years.
Matt Oberdick - Associate Director of Student Ministries
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Matt Oberdick, born and raised in Broken Arrow, graduated from Broken Arrow Senior High in 2003. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Before coming to FUMC BA in the winter of 2008, Matt served on the student ministries staff of Journey Church, in Norman, OK., for a little under four years.
Matt has a passion for youth and seeing their lives forever changed through an encounter with Jesus.
Christi Chalker - Director of Children's Ministries
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Christi earned her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Texas with a double major in Marketing and International Finance. Christi worked as an independent insurance agent in the Dallas, TX area until she and her family relocated to Tulsa in 1989 when her husband's job moved them to Broken Arrow.
Christi has been a member of FUMC-BA for over 18 years and the Children's Director for the past 17 years. As Director, she oversees any event for children from birth through fifth grade.
In 2005 she felt a calling to work with the elderly and shut- ins of the congregation as well. So with the hiring of an assistant to the children’s department she has been able to assist the ministers with care ministries. From home and nursing home visitation as well as hospital calls Much of her time is spent sending cards and keeping in touch with the senior adults of the church. She has had Stephen Ministry Leadership training and helps the StephenMinistry director as well. She and Lynn have developed a team of care givers that are comprised of Stephen Ministers and congregation members that help with monthly care visitation. The church also has two “Social Ministries” known as the Wild Bunch (retired members) and Nifty Nesters (age 40-60 age group with empty nest). She and Lynn set up monthly outings to various places within the city and around the State for recreational outings.
In her spare time, Christi enjoys watching college football, stamping, shopping, collecting Beanie Babies and Noak's Ark memorabilia. She enjoys keeping up with the children of the church by engaging them through the Webkinz website. Christi absolutely treasures her time with her husband of 24 years and her daughter Kayla, who is a senior in college.
Karen Lawless - Associate Director of Children's Ministries
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Karen Lawless has been on staff since 2005 as the Assistant to the Children’s Director. She also works with Discovery Learning Center as the preschool’s Enrichment teacher.
Before being on staff, Karen served on various church committees and was a very active volunteer in the Children’s Department and DLC.
Prior to living in Oklahoma, Karen moved from Texas in 1998, she was an elementary teacher and assistant principal in the Garland and Rockwall ISDs. She holds a B.S. from Baylor University and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from East Texas State University.
Karen and her husband, Lane, have been married since 1996 and have been members of FUMCBA since 1998. They have one daughter, Morgan. Karen’s interests include being with her family, crafting, and keeping up with Baylor sports and alumni band activities.
A life-long Methodist, Karen has always been active in church life. Her younger years in her treasured small town Texas churches include fond memories of Sunday School, MYF, being a camper and counselor at Glen Lake Camp, and singing hymns from the
Cokesbury hymnal.
Karen enjoys being around children and is passionate about their growth and
development. She feels very blessed to be in a place where she can help nurture
their spiritual growth as well.
Kathy first came to Tulsa from Texas when she attended and graduated from OralRobertsUniversity. Kathy has worked in various fields of accounting, auditing, management and construction before she came to work at FUMC – BA.
Kathy is a lifetime Methodist. She and her family continue to serve their faith in the United Methodist Church in Tulsa. Kathy’s husband, Kurt, is an attorney and part-time Minister at Harvard Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa.
When she is not at church, her interests are her daughters, Molly & Jenny. In her spare time, Kathy also loves to paint.
Cheryl Hildebrandt - Music Director/Communications Secretary
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Cheryl graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. She met her husband Scott at OSU and they married in November, 1986. Cheryl and her husband Scott have been members of First UMC since Oct. 1990. They have 4 beautiful children: Adam, a Senior at Oklahoma State University; Chelsea, a Junior at OSU and Morgan and Megan, Sophomores at Lincoln Christian School.
Cheryl is our new Music Director and will be directing our adult choirs (Chapel & Chancel), our youth choir (ten72 choir) and our handbell choir (the Joyful Ringers) as well as coordinating other music groups.
Cheryl's communication duties include maintaining the church calendar, membership database and church website. She publishes the weekly newsletter & bulletins.
You may submit newsletter articles by email at fumcba@fumcba.org. Please put "Newsletter Article" in the subject line. Article deadline is Thursday before the week of publication.
Tammy is a 1986 graduate of Broken Arrow Senior High School. She previously worked as an Administrative Secretary for First Christian Church, BA. And, has previous accounting experience. As your Financial Secretary Tammy is the one you contact if you have questions regarding you gifts to the church.
Tammy and her husband, Bill have been married 21 years and have three beautiful children and one grandchild. Erica, lives in Kansas continuing her education toward a Pediatric Dentist and blessed us with our granddaughter, Kaitlyn Ruth; Bobby has joined the Air National Guard and will be attending OU working toward a dental degree; and Jacque is a Junior at Union High School, she is very creative, energetic and athletic and she plans to attend OSU to become a doctor. Tammy is very involved in her children’s and granddaughter's lives and their activities.
Francie Pardee grew up in this church. She is a wealth of information about the history and people that have worshipped here.
Francie has a wonderful gift of making people feel welcome which makes her the perfect person to serve as our receptionist. Francie also helps with many office duties such as attendance records and scheduling of Weddings.
Vicki Bonner - Discovery Learning Center Preschool Director
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Vicki attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. While there she met her husband and moved to Broken Arrow in 1980. They have three children and one grandchild.
Vicki has been a life long Methodist and a member of FUMC – BA since 1983. While at FUMC – BA, she has taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, volunteered as a youth sponsor and has served on and chaired various committees of the church. Vicki started working for the Discovery Learning Center in August of 1986 as a teacher. She later became the bookkeeper and was later named the Director of the preschool in 1996.
In her spare time, Vicki enjoys sewing, handwork and, of course, children.
Sheila was born and raised in Cordell, Oklahoma where she attended the First UMC with her grandparents. After graduation in 1993 Sheila moved to Tulsa to attend the University of Tulsa. She joined our childcare staff in November 2009 and then January 2010 became the Weekend Childcare Coordinator.
She has been married to her husband, Michael for 9 years and they have two children. Hannah who is a 4th grader & William who is in the 1st grade in Broken Arrow schools.
Sheila has an eminent love for children and operates a childcare business in her home. She loves to work out, be creative, spend time with her family and to share the love of Jesus with children and youth.
Tonya Innis - Weekday Childcare Coordinator
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Tonya Innis has been on the church staff since August, 2007 as the Weekday Childcare Coordinator. She was also on staff with Discovery Learning Center from 2005 – 2009 as a pre-school teacher.
Tonya was raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma where she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She went through confirmation classes, played in the hand bell choir, and sang in various choirs throughout the years. Some of her fondest memories of childhood are centered around the church.
As a 1986 graduate of Oklahoma State University, Tonya worked in the field of marketing for several years. However, she soon followed after the call of teaching she felt God had always placed on her heart. She taught in Christian schools for 6 years before teaching at DLC. Christian education continues to be her passion, although she “teaches” in a different capacity since becoming a Regional Director with Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma.
Tonya has three sons, and her time is centered around their school and sports activities.
Jay Prine - River Rocks Praise Band Leader
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