Rev. Dr. Rom A. Pegram, Pastor

Being raised in a ministry family (his father was a pastor for 40+ years), Rom is a second-career pastor in the Wisconsin Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Throughout his 20s, Rom worked in the air express industry for a few different companies, specifically in operations, sales, and management.

Finally accepting God’s call into ministry at around 30 years old, Rom and his family moved to Wilmore, Kentucky, where Rom went to Asbury College (now Asbury University), completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible. From there, the Pegrams moved back to Wisconsin. Rom worked at Cargill United Methodist Church in Janesville as their youth director, while attending Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois for the better part of a year. Taking the next couple of years to solidify his call to pastoral ministry, Rom continued his education at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS). While attending school there, Rom was a student pastor appointed to the Belmont & Whig United Methodist Churches in Southwest Wisconsin—staying there for 2 years after graduation as these churches had moved to full-time status by then.

After completing seminary with a Master of Divinity degree, Rom was appointed for four years to be the pastor at the Markesan United Methodist Church in Green Lake County. From there, Rom and Jane moved back to Southwest Wisconsin to pastor at the Dodgeville & Ridgeway: Grace United Methodist Churches. In Spring 2009, Rom graduated once again from UDTS with a Doctor of Ministry degree (focus on church membership). Starting in Spring 2011, Rom began teaching a 1 credit field education course (Pastoral Identity) at UDTS as an extension of his local ministry—a great opportunity to help shape the lives of pastors going into the field of pastoral ministry.

Rom and his wife, Jane, have two grown children—Josh, currently serving at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Ripon, Wisconsin (July 1, 2011) and Rachel, currently employed at the national headquarters of Nissan, Nashville, Tennessee.
 

Rev. Charlene Bennett, Visitation Pastor

Charlene grew up and was confirmed in the United Brethren Church, which eventually became The United Methodist Church. I had a one-on-one experience with Jesus at Camp Witwen at age 16. A series of bad choices and mistakes led to divorce and depression in her early 40's. She testifies to the Lord's faithfulness in that He led her out of the pit and brought her into a second experience with Jesus -- The baptism of His Holy Spirit. As she followed His leading, she found a whole new adventure, was led to return to school and eventually into ministry.

Through a series of circumstances, Charlene was ordained in the American Baptist Church in Dodgeville, WI; later serving the United Methodist Church in Waldwick for 10 years and most recently feels blessed in serving as Visitation Pastor for Dodgeville UMC.

Carla Pustina, Office Manager

Carla grew up in the hills between Dodgeville and Highland and stayed right there to raise a family of 5 with her husband, Karl. Besides feeding the tribe, Carla has been involved with music over the years, writing songs, facilitating worship, and directing the worship and media ministry at church for several years. Carla remains on staff at her church part-time as Video Editor and is thrilled to be able to expand her involvement in the greater church community by serving here at DUMC.

Beth Schlueter, Connections Coordinator

Beth currently serves as our Connections Coordinator.  She is in charge of this ‘umbrella ministry’ that works with all people and ministry teams to connect the right person with the right ministry in the church (as well as many other assorted duties). 

Beth’s background includes training at the Lay School of Ministry (through Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), completing 2 years of course study in church history, theology, worship, church mission, faith formation, as well as both Old and New Testament studies. 

Beth has also experienced training through Marriage Encounter, Weekend to Remember, Reggie McNeal's ‘Present Future’ Workshop, as well as extensive personal study in many areas of ministry, leadership and church growth. Also having served as a church secretary, Beth has organized events such as Spiritual Growth Ministry, Sunday school, Weigh Down Workshops (weight loss from a Christian perspective), as well as women’s retreats, Relay for Life, and Operation Christmas Child campaigns.

Beth has a passion for ministry in general and sees a possibility of pastoral ministry somewhere in the future.
 

Tammy Leiser, Connections Coordinator

...
 

Gail Ray, Adult Ministries Coordinator

Gail grew up in Waukesha, WI and moved to Dodgeville in 1985, so her
husband, Keith, could run his family farm. She quickly found a position
at Lands' End in Information Services and has worked there ever
since. The passion of Gail's life has always been learning and teaching, She is excited about the ways God is actively working in and through
the DUMC faith community, transforming lives through the love of
Jesus.
 

Craig Brown, Youth Ministries Coordinator

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