WELCOME

Change the World. Start Here.

At First United Methodist Church | Downtown Bentonville, we believe you will find an active and engaging congregation with whom you can worship, love God, and serve Christ so that our lives have meaning and purpose. Wondering what we’re all about? We’re about meaningful and energetic worship experiences. We’re about caring for our neighbors, close by and around the globe. We’re about building relationships with one another. We’re about helping you find your spiritual home and helping you grow deeper in your faith journey. We are a church that seeks to share Christ and to make disciples. We are passionate about the transformation of lives, communities, and the world. Together, we can make a difference. We hope you’ll take a moment to explore the ministries and opportunities we offer and plan to join us for worship this Sunday.

WORSHIP TIMES
8:30 AM
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Traditional

Led by Rev. Dr. Kurt Boggan

Location: Sanctuary

An intimate liturgical worship service featuring our chancel choir.

8:45 AM
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Contemporary

Led by Rev. Eric Meyer

Location: Hines Hall

A high energy, immersive worship service featuring a full band and praise choir.

9:45 AM
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Blended

Led by Rev. Dr. Kurt Boggan

Location: Sanctuary

A unique blend of traditional and contemporary music featuring a small praise band ensemble.

11:00 AM
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Traditional

Led by Rev. Dr. Kurt Boggan

Location: Sanctuary

A rich liturgical service of worship featuring our chancel choir.

11:00 AM
fumc-blackclock-traditional-contemp
Contemporary

Led by Rev. Eric Meyer

Location: Hines Hall

An intimate service led by a small, acoustic-driven band.

Come together. Come to the table. Communion is offered every Sunday in all of our worship services.

Children First, Family Worship
  • Children First is a unique worship service that occurs on the first Sunday of every month for families of all ages. We follow a traditional order of worship including affirmations of faith, holy communion, offering, a scripture lesson, prayers, and group singing; all centered around a common theme for the month. We gather for worship at 9:45 am in the Sanctuary. Please join us!

Our Mission

Sharing Christ, Making Disciples.

Our Vision

To become the Spiritual Heart of Bentonville; a mission station to equip disciples for building relationships with people who are far from home or feel far away from God.

Baptism and Confirmation

We understand ourselves to be part of Christ’s universal church when by adoration, proclamation, and service we become conformed to Christ. We are initiated and incorporated into this community of faith by Baptism, receiving the promise of the Spirit that re-creates and transforms us. We all come to God as children, regardless of our age that is why it is appropriate for infants to be baptized.

When people who were baptized as infants are ready to profess their Christian faith, they participate in the classes and service which United Methodism now calls Confirmation. This occasion is not an entrance into church membership, for this was accomplished through baptism. It is the first public affirmation of the grace of God in one’s baptism and the acknowledgment of one’s acceptance of that grace by faith.
If you are interested in being baptized or confirmed please contact one of our pastors.

Our Staff

Senior Pastor

Reverend Dr. Kurt Boggan

Kurt Boggan joined FUMC Downtown Bentonville as Senior Pastor in July, 2014…

Senior Pastor, Reverend Dr. Kurt Boggan

Reverend Dr. Kurt Boggan

Kurt Boggan joined FUMC in Downtown Bentonville as Senior Pastor in July 2014. He earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Arkansas, Little Rock, and holds a Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Kurt appreciates pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church for its opportunities to lead spiritually, inspire and motivate the congregation, and develop laity into leadership roles. An expert in developing vital congregations, his most recent position, before arriving in Bentonville, was Center Director for Clergy and Laity Excellence for the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Kurt has also served as a District Superintendent of the Northeast Arkansas District and Senior Pastor of Highland Valley United Methodist Church in Little Rock. He is married to Rev. Rebecca Boggan, father to two very accomplished adult daughters (Emily Boggan Wineland and Ashley Boggan Dreff), and grandfather to two wonderful grandsons. You may contact Kurt at kurt@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712, ext. 204.

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Associate Pastor

Reverend Eric Meyer

Rev. Eric Meyer spent 19 years running manufacturer’s representatives …

Associate Pastor Reverend Eric Meyer

Reverend Eric Meyer

Rev. Eric Meyer spent 19 years running manufacturer’s representative companies in the toy industry. He supplied products to Target, Walmart, and many regional retail chains. He finished that phase of his career life as the Vice President of Sales for Learning Curve Brands. Feeling a call to ministry, and loving the transformation of lives he experienced while teaching Taekwondo, he became a partner in a martial arts studio. That may seem like a unique form of ministry, but all ministry is about the transformation of lives, and martial arts offers powerful experiences of personal development. The call to pastoral ministry became very clear during this time, and he began full-time seminary studies in 2011. Eric served as the pastor for the Gravette and Sulphur Springs United Methodist congregations until 2015, when he began his ministry at First United Methodist Church, Bentonville.
Eric believes that we are called to be the conduits of the Holy Spirit into our community. We inhale the grace of the Holy Spirit and exhale the gift of the Spirit to others through our ministry and service. Jesus came to offer us a taste of the Kingdom of God now. He came to wake us up to the presence of the God all around us, but that offer can only be realized through following Jesus in compassionate ministry, worship, and forgiveness. He invites you to come to be part of a congregation that is in a transformative relationship with God so that we may become conduits of the Holy Spirit for the transformation of lives in our community. You may contact Eric at eric@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712, ext 206.

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Pastor of Discipleship & Hospitality

Reverend Rebecca Boggan

Rebecca Boggan joined FUMC…

Pastor of Discipleship & Hospitality, Reverend Rebecca Boggan

Reverend Rebecca Boggan

Rebecca Boggan joined FUMC | Downtown Bentonville as Pastor of Discipleship and Hospitality in May, 2016.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas and Master’s Degrees in Sacred Music and Music from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Rebecca loves getting to know people and helping them find their ministry areas where they connect to God and others through worship, study, and outreach beyond ourselves showing God’s love and grace in the world today. She has served several churches in Arkansas over the years as the Pastor of Music and Worship as well as Pastoral Care, Hospitality, and Discipleship. She is married to Rev. Kurt Boggan, mother of two amazing daughters, and grandmother to two wonderful grandsons. You may contact Rebecca at rebecca@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712, ext.205.

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Business Administrator

Toni Hinrichs

Toni Hinrichs joined the staff in January 2017.

Business Administrator, Toni Hinrichs

Toni Hinrichs

Toni Hinrichs joined the staff in January 2017. She is a native of Bentonville and is married to Tim. She holds an Accounting Degree from the University of Arkansas. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. Her accounting background is in Real Estate, Retail, and Healthcare Accounting and Finance.

A fun fact about Toni – she used to own 3 donut shops! Her passions include travelling, reading and her 3 dogs.

You may contact Toni at toni@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712, ext. 202.

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Director of Communications

Maribel Vizcarra

A native New Yorker, Maribel is a graduate of the College of St. Vincent with a…

Director of Communications Maribel Vizcarra

Maribel Vizcarra

A native New Yorker, Maribel is a graduate of the College of Mt. St. Vincent with a Bachelor’s of Communication. Maribel formerly worked as Director of Strategic Marketing at NBC Universal in New York, NY. She has more than 15 years of experience working in the advertising, marketing, and media industries. Maribel and her husband moved to Bentonville in September 2014 and she joined the church staff two months later in November 2014.
Maribel has a big heart for FUMC | Downtown Bentonville, a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and a passion to use the ministry of communication to inspire, inform, and invite participation in the life, mission, and purpose of the church. Maribel is also actively involved in the Young Women’s Ministry here at FUMC | Downtown Bentonville.
She is married to Joseph and has two children, Sebastian and Juliette. In her free time, Maribel is an avid reader, loves to travel, and enjoys spending time with her family. You may contact Maribel at maribel@fumcbentonville.org or (479) 273-2712, ext. 212.

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Director of Music & Worship Arts

Ken Weatherford

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Ken is a graduate of Lambuth University with…

Director of Music & Worship Arts Ken Weatherford

Ken Weatherford

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Ken is a graduate of Lambuth University with a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance. He has served as a worship artist and touring musician for more than 15 years. Ken is married to Casey, a freelance graphic designer. Together, they have two sons named Aidan and Coleman. Ken and Casey have spent several years touring around churches, colleges, and living rooms as an acoustic duo called The Weatherfolk (weatherfolk.com), releasing three albums to date. From 2011 to 2013, the couple lived in Edinburgh, Scotland, working with the Church to establish a new worshipping community that is still growing today. Upon returning to the U.S., Ken spent two years working with a United Methodist Church in Little Rock to further an existing worship arts ministry. Having experienced so many different expressions of Church, both here and abroad, Ken is thrilled to bring his love for community, creativity, art, worship (and golf) to First United Methodist Church | Downtown Bentonville. You may contact Ken at ken@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712.

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Director of Traditional & Choral Music

Dr. Ray Wheeler

Dr. Ray Wheeler joined FUMC | Downtown …

Music & Choral Director, Dr. Ray Wheeler

Dr. Ray Wheeler

Dr. Ray Wheeler joined FUMC | Downtown Bentonville in May of 2016 as the traditional Choral Director. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education in vocal music and a Master of Music in choral conducting from University of Oklahoma in Norman, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of North Texas in Denton. Ray has directed choirs in schools and churches, and also taught voice and music education for the past 30 years. Traditional and Blended worship music are a focus of Ray’s ministry at FUMC | Downtown Bentonville. Primarily, he serves as the choral conductor of the chancel choir in the 8:30 am and 11:00 am Traditional service and he is the music director for the 9:45 am Blended worship service, which features contemporary and traditional music of the church. Ray resides in Bentonville with his two sons, Nathan and Jonathan. You may contact Ray at ray@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712, ext. 207.

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Director of Children's Ministries

Sadie Wohlfahrt

Sadie joined the staff in September 2014, and has been…

Director of Children's Ministries, Sadie Wohlfahrt

Sadie Wohlfahrt

Sadie joined the staff in September 2014 and has been a member of FUMC | Downtown Bentonville since May 2012. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wis. and moved to Bentonville in August 2011. Before taking the position as children’s director, Sadie was a special education teacher for nine years, most recently at Sugar Creek Elementary in Bentonville. Sadie has been involved in spiritual leadership with adults through the Emmaus community, as well as the small group discipleship process at FUMC. She is excited to combine these spiritual gifts with her knowledge of how children develop and learn to help FUMC’s young people grow in their relationships with God.
Sadie is married to Matt Wohlfahrt, and they have a full house! Ruby Mae was born in January 2012, and their twins, Ramsey and Rosalie, were born in June 2014. As a parent of young children herself, Sadie hopes to be a support to the parents of FUMC as they endeavor to raise children in the faith. You may contact Sadie at 479-273-2712 ext. 222, or sadie@fumcbentonville.org.

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Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries

Allison Earhart 

Allison joined the staff in September 2017.

Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries,

Allison Earhart

Bio coming soon…

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Director of Youth Ministries

Brooke Crumpler

Brooke is originally from El Dorado, Arkansas, where she grew up attending…

Director of Youth Ministries, Brooke Crumpler

Brooke Crumpler

Brooke is originally from El Dorado, Ark., where she grew up attending Parkers Chapel UMC. After high school, she moved to Fayetteville and earned a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of Arkansas. As an active youth, Brooke served on Conference and Jurisdictional levels of the United Methodist Church. These experiences guide her in her ministry. She strives to provide opportunity for today’s youth to grow in their faith and make lifelong friends in the process. She began working as a youth minister in 2009, and loves that this vocation chose her! In her spare time Brooke enjoys shopping, spending time with family and friends, planning weddings/parties, going to the lake, and traveling. You may contact Brooke at brooke@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712, ext. 209.

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Assistant Youth Director

DJ Wibbelsman

D.J.  grew up in northern California until the age of…

Assistant Youth Director, DJ Wibbelsman

DJ Wibbelsman

D.J. grew up in northern California until the age of 14 when his family moved to a small town in southwest Arkansas called Blevins. He graduated from Blevins High School in 2010 and went on to Henderson State University to attain a B.S. in Recreation in 2014. During his time at Henderson, D.J. served in leadership at the Wesley foundation and the FUMC Arkadelphia youth group as a drummer and peer leader. While in college he developed several friendships that helped him grow in his faith, especially the relationship with his wife, Summer. They were married in June of 2013. D.J. enjoys outdoor recreation, sports, and playing/making music with his band. You can contact D.J. at dj@fumcbentonville.org

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Meaghan Charles

Nursery Coordinator

Meaghan Charles

Meaghan Charles was born and raised in Rogers, Arkansas…

Nursery Coordinator, Meaghan Charles

Meaghan Charles

Meaghan Charles was born and raised in Rogers, Arkansas. She attended the University of Arkansas and obtained a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. During about three of her undergrad years, she worked at Wee Friends as a lead teacher for different age groups. She completed her teaching internship in Springdale, Arkansas and was hired by Rogers Public schools as a third grade teacher at Frank Tillery Elementary. She is the Nursery Coordinator for FUMC and was recently the preschool director for VBS. She is also a nanny and babysitter for many of our church members. She has been attending FUMC since working at Wee Friends and is grateful and blessed to work with children and families of the church. Her passion for children is evident when put in a room with them. She also loves coffee, kayaking, Pinterest, and learning more about the world.
You may contact Meaghan at childcare@fumcbentonville.org or 479-273-2712.

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Finance & HR Administrator

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Administrative Assistant

Patty Sosa

Patty joined the team in June 2017. Patty, born in Chicago…

Administrative Assistant, Patty Sosa

Patty Sosa

Patty joined the team in June 2017. Patty, born in Chicago and raised here in Northwest Arkansas, is a graduate of Northwest Arkansas Community College with an Associate’s Degree in General Studies.

Patty started her personal relationship with God during her youth years. She is a first generation to the Christian Faith. In Christ, she has found the love and acceptance she has looked for all her life.

Patty and her husband Heybi, of 10 years, have one daughter, Isabella. In her free time, Patty likes to spend time with her family, walk, and relax.

You may contact Patty at patty@fumcbentonville.org or (479) 273-2712, ext. 201.

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Explore & Discover Director

Carole Dalton

Carole Dalton, a native Arkansan…

Explore & Discover Director, Carole Dalton

Carole Dalton

Carole Dalton, a native Arkansan from Little Rock, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. Her experience as an educator includes working at Arkansas Children’s Hospital as an educational diagnostician and teaching in the public school systems of Arkansas and Texas.

Carole serves on various church committees as a FUMC member and is a volunteer in the Bentonville Public Schools and within the community. She and her husband, David, have two children, Elizabeth and Will. She loves seeing the world through the curious and enthusiastic eyes of children and sharing the love of Christ! Her passions include her family, faith, baking, learning new things, and traveling.

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Wee Friends Director

Andrea Mutchler

Andrea Mutchler has been a member of FUMC since 1998…

Wee Friends Director, Andrea Mutchler

Andrea Mutchler

Andrea Mutchler, has been a member of FUMC since 1998, she is married to Thomas and they have 4 grown children. Andrea has a passion for teaching children; she enjoys traveling, the beach and cooking for family and friends. Andrea has held a career in childcare for 20 years and has been the Director at Wee Friends for 7 years.

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Kitchen & Food Services Manager

Lisa Stell

Lisa Stell was born and raised in Camden, Arkansas….

Kitchen & Food Services Manager, Lisa Stell

Lisa Stell

Lisa Stell was born and raised in Camden, Ark. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Southern Arkansas University at 51. Lisa began her career at FUMC | Bentonville in 2014. She served as a Second Street Pantry volunteer for a year, prior to being employed at the church. Lisa plans, supervises, and coordinates all kitchen and food service needs for Sunday mornings, as well as our Tuesday Night Dinners. Lisa believes volunteering is a blessing on both sides – for those who give and for those who receive. In her free time, she enjoys reading, fishing, and yard selling. You may contact Lisa at 479-273-2712.

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Building Maintenance

Craig Seckington

Craig Seckington is originally from Meadville, MO…

Building Maintenance, Craig Seckington

Craig Seckington

Craig Seckington is originally from Meadville, Miss. He has lived in Bentonville since 1999. Craig is responsible for the overall maintenance and general repairs for the church. He has been an actively involved member of the church since 1999. He is married to Rita and they have twin daughters, Lauren and Taylor. For fun he enjoys trap shooting and spending time with his family.  You may contact Craig at 479-273-2712.

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Committee Lay Leaders

Council Chair – Beth Haney

Council Vice Chair – Kevin Wilson

Council Secretary – Susan Pickle

Church Treasurer – Deanna Ratcliffe

Lay Leader – Jack Kavulich

Lay Member to Annual Conference – Sandy Mahoney

Lay Member to Annual Conference – Guy Hendricks

Trustees Chair (Elected by Trustees) – Pat Kennedy

Trustees Vice Chair – Chris Plumlee

Finance Chair – Chris Knight

Staff Parish Relations Chair –Kevin Wilson

Worship Council – Kurt Boggan

Discipleship Formation Chair – TBD

Memorials Chair – Vella Lewis

Endowment Chair – Johnny Haney

Hospitality Chair – Connie Anderson

Organizations/Agencies Coordinator – Beth Haney

Second Street Pantry – Sandra Hutchens

Stewardship Chair – Kevin Wilson

History / Archives – Johnny Haney

Building Committee Chair – Mike Lewis

  We’re Currently Seeking:

Job Title:

Job Type:

Nursery Coordinator

Part Time

Job Title:

Job Type:

Nursery Workers

Part Time

 

Submit your resume to

For Nursery – Children’s Director at sadie@fumcbentonville.org

For Administrative Assistant – Hiring Manager at toni@fumcbentonville.org

Infinite Reasons

INFINITE REASONS BROCHURE:

  • Learn more about our vision, mission and next steps. Download the Vision brochure here.
  • In this second brochure, we highlight our ministries, share our campaign goals and discuss how your 3-year pledge will help the church accomplish its vision to become Bentonville’s Spiritual Heart. Download the brochure here.

DEVOTIONAL BROCHURE:

  • We are offering a devotional that can help guide you closer to freedom by examining how God has been and is active in your life.  We hope it will help you to experience gratitude –  to help propel you to an even closer relationship with God. Download it here.

YOUR COMMITMENT:

HAVE A QUESTION? Please submit your question here.