Curtis Olsen
Lead Pastor
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: Helping people experience the hope found in Jesus Christ while witnessing people live out God's call.
Favorite quote: The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. — Galatians 5:6b
Top three books/podcasts: "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality," anything sci-fi, "Laugh More: The Skit Guys Podcast."
Preferred genre of music: Anything upbeat — Christian and pop music.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Baseball, helping with my sons' activities, watching movies with my wife, Angie.
Favorite quote: The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. — Galatians 5:6b
Top three books/podcasts: "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality," anything sci-fi, "Laugh More: The Skit Guys Podcast."
Preferred genre of music: Anything upbeat — Christian and pop music.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Baseball, helping with my sons' activities, watching movies with my wife, Angie.
Angela Olsen
Pastor
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: I love meeting with people one-on-one to be an encourager as they grow in God's grace and find God's purpose for their lives. It is amazing to see the transformation that happens when people have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ!
Favorite quote: "Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty." — Brene Brown, "Gifts of Imperfection."
Top three books/podcasts: I am a voracious reader and there are too many to list, so I will share my current favorite podcasts: "The Bible Project," "Unlocking Us" and "Daring to Lead" by Brene Brown. This was really hard to choose!
Preferred genre of music: Oh, another hard choice. I have an eclectic taste in music from Christian music, pop, and some country. Pop Christian right now and especially Lauren Daigle, who really speaks to me.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: I am blessed to coach other pastors in the conference on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.
Favorite quote: "Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty." — Brene Brown, "Gifts of Imperfection."
Top three books/podcasts: I am a voracious reader and there are too many to list, so I will share my current favorite podcasts: "The Bible Project," "Unlocking Us" and "Daring to Lead" by Brene Brown. This was really hard to choose!
Preferred genre of music: Oh, another hard choice. I have an eclectic taste in music from Christian music, pop, and some country. Pop Christian right now and especially Lauren Daigle, who really speaks to me.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: I am blessed to coach other pastors in the conference on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.
Fatima Garikayi
Associate Pastor of Congregational Care and Small Groups
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: My greatest joy is the people.
Favorite quote: "It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes/heroines are those who make peace and build." —Nelson Mandela.
Top three books/podcasts: "Things Fall Apart," "Arrow of God" and "A Man of the People" by Chinua Achebe.
Preferred genre of music: Reggae and rock.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Learning new things, cooking, cleaning and traveling.
Favorite quote: "It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes/heroines are those who make peace and build." —Nelson Mandela.
Top three books/podcasts: "Things Fall Apart," "Arrow of God" and "A Man of the People" by Chinua Achebe.
Preferred genre of music: Reggae and rock.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Learning new things, cooking, cleaning and traveling.
Nancy Cooper
Director of Youth Ministries
What I enjoy most about my ministry: The kids! I love seeing young people questioning and learning about the Bible and their faith.
Favorite quote: That's a hard one. I'd like to get really deep here but one thing my mother always said that I seem to remember a lot is "It is what it is." That has always helped me be more accepting of things in my life.
Top three books: Oh, but there are so many to choose from! Of course, the easy answer is the Bible because of all the wonderful stories. Other personal favorites include: "The Hobbit," "Lord of the Rings" and "I and Thou." So, clearly, I enjoy good fiction but have a deeper side, too.
Preferred genre of music: I love music! Especially jazz and classic rock.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Outside of church I keep busy reading, geocaching and munzeeing, crafting, and I love a good puzzle. I haven't had a career outside the church in more than 20 years but I do substitute teach for Columbia Public Schools — that is more an act of kindness than a job.
Favorite quote: That's a hard one. I'd like to get really deep here but one thing my mother always said that I seem to remember a lot is "It is what it is." That has always helped me be more accepting of things in my life.
Top three books: Oh, but there are so many to choose from! Of course, the easy answer is the Bible because of all the wonderful stories. Other personal favorites include: "The Hobbit," "Lord of the Rings" and "I and Thou." So, clearly, I enjoy good fiction but have a deeper side, too.
Preferred genre of music: I love music! Especially jazz and classic rock.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Outside of church I keep busy reading, geocaching and munzeeing, crafting, and I love a good puzzle. I haven't had a career outside the church in more than 20 years but I do substitute teach for Columbia Public Schools — that is more an act of kindness than a job.
Julie Gibson
Director of Worship
What I enjoy most about my ministry: This is literally my dream job. I love designing worship, directing the choir, helping lead services and working behind the scenes. I'm also serving in communication and membership.
Favorite quote: "This, too, shall pass."
Top three books/podcasts: "The Wisdom of the Enneagram," "How to Win Friends and Influence People," and the Harry Potter series.
Preferred genre of music: Since I have spent the last several years immersing myself in contemporary Christian music, I would say that's my favorite. I also like choral arrangements of spirituals.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: I spend most of my free time working out, walking with friends, and hanging out at home with my husband and twins. I also teach piano to beginning through early intermediate students.
Favorite quote: "This, too, shall pass."
Top three books/podcasts: "The Wisdom of the Enneagram," "How to Win Friends and Influence People," and the Harry Potter series.
Preferred genre of music: Since I have spent the last several years immersing myself in contemporary Christian music, I would say that's my favorite. I also like choral arrangements of spirituals.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: I spend most of my free time working out, walking with friends, and hanging out at home with my husband and twins. I also teach piano to beginning through early intermediate students.
Cooper Green
Director of Facilities
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: It's really fun to see the immediate results of the work we do for the facilities at CUMC.
Favorite quote: "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." — Michael Jordan
Top three books/podcasts: I’m not exactly an avid reader but I really like “What If?” by Randall Munroe, and I listen to every episode of the "Pardon My Take" podcast.
Preferred genre of music: I listen to 70’s and 80’s pop most of the time.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: My hobbies are playing golf and video games with my friends. If I'm not doing that, Abby and I are spending time with our daughter, Jude. As a native Columbian, I am an avid Chiefs and Mizzou Tigers fan. Also, I own my own business as a painting contractor.
Favorite quote: "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." — Michael Jordan
Top three books/podcasts: I’m not exactly an avid reader but I really like “What If?” by Randall Munroe, and I listen to every episode of the "Pardon My Take" podcast.
Preferred genre of music: I listen to 70’s and 80’s pop most of the time.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: My hobbies are playing golf and video games with my friends. If I'm not doing that, Abby and I are spending time with our daughter, Jude. As a native Columbian, I am an avid Chiefs and Mizzou Tigers fan. Also, I own my own business as a painting contractor.
Carla Hunter
Director of Operations
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: Helping those who stop by the church office with a question or who need assistance planning a meeting or event.
Favorite quote: "We do not remember days...we remember moments."
Top three books/podcasts: Favorite children's book — "Charlotte's Web," favorite classic novel — "To Kill a Mockingbird," last great read — "A Gentleman in Moscow."
Preferred genre of music: Country/country rock.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: I'm a Certified Tourism Ambassador which gives me the chance to talk about Columbia's restaurants, shopping, festivals, etc. I actively follow most Mizzou sports and also serve on the board of the Boone County Chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association.
Favorite quote: "We do not remember days...we remember moments."
Top three books/podcasts: Favorite children's book — "Charlotte's Web," favorite classic novel — "To Kill a Mockingbird," last great read — "A Gentleman in Moscow."
Preferred genre of music: Country/country rock.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: I'm a Certified Tourism Ambassador which gives me the chance to talk about Columbia's restaurants, shopping, festivals, etc. I actively follow most Mizzou sports and also serve on the board of the Boone County Chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association.
Tawnya Moroni
Hospitality Coordinator
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: Serving people and helping them get involved.
Favorite quote: "Live. Laugh. Love."
Top three books/podcasts: The Harry Potter series, the "Scene on Radio" podcast, various cookbooks — print and digital.
Preferred genre of music: '80's, '90's, some popular music of today.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Bowling, walks with family (including my dogs), Mizzou Tigers football, and other sports.
Favorite quote: "Live. Laugh. Love."
Top three books/podcasts: The Harry Potter series, the "Scene on Radio" podcast, various cookbooks — print and digital.
Preferred genre of music: '80's, '90's, some popular music of today.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Bowling, walks with family (including my dogs), Mizzou Tigers football, and other sports.
Scotty Wall
Contemporary Worship Leader
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: Leading worship and collaborating with the musicians. They are so talented and I love being on the team with them.
Favorite quote: "Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Top three books/podcasts: “The Return of the Prodigal” by Henri Nouwen, “Faith After Doubt” by Brian McLaren, and the "Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast."
Preferred genre of music: Classic rock/folk/modern worship.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Kayaking, home improvement projects, playing in local bands.
Favorite quote: "Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Top three books/podcasts: “The Return of the Prodigal” by Henri Nouwen, “Faith After Doubt” by Brian McLaren, and the "Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast."
Preferred genre of music: Classic rock/folk/modern worship.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Kayaking, home improvement projects, playing in local bands.
Abigail Wimberley
Director of Children's Ministries/Nursery
What do you enjoy most about your ministry: Getting to see these kids have so much fun while planting seeds of faith as they learn about Jesus and the Bible.
Favorite quote: “I raise up my voice — not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” — Malala Yousafzai
Top three books/podcasts: "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, "The People We Keep" by Allison Larkin, and "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" by Maggie Smith.
Preferred genre of music: Alternative.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Photography, spending time with my family, thrift shopping/antiquing.
Favorite quote: “I raise up my voice — not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” — Malala Yousafzai
Top three books/podcasts: "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, "The People We Keep" by Allison Larkin, and "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" by Maggie Smith.
Preferred genre of music: Alternative.
Hobbies/volunteering/other careers: Photography, spending time with my family, thrift shopping/antiquing.