Meet Our Pastors

Rev. Meredith Manning Brown is an experienced pastor and ministry leader, focused on innovative congregations and spiritual entrepreneurship. With decades of ministry leadership experience, Meredith has led multiple new church planting efforts, pastored through several church revitalization and growth projects, and served in senior ministry staff positions in large and small congregations across the United States.

Meredith is currently serving as Lead Pastor of Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois. Douglas Ave. is a vibrant, growing, community-focused, progressive United Methodist congregation. Before coming to Douglas Ave, Meredith served as the interim pastor at Williamsville, Illinois UMC and Lead Planting Pastor for Evergreen UMC in Lacey, Washington. Meredith has served churches in Salem, New Hampshire and Byfield, Sudbury, Westborough, Acton, and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

Rev. Margaret Ann Jessupp“is the Associate Pastor and Executive Director of Wooden It Be Lovely.  “You’re never too old to do the next thing,” says Rev. Margaret Ann. “You can’t be afraid. Trust your heart. It’s never perfect.”
 
Wooden It Be Lovely (WIBL), is a nonprofit organization that employs women suffering from poverty, drug addiction and abuse and helps them heal, recover and have stable lives. She is the winner of numerous awards for this innovative, groundbreaking program, including USA Today Woman of the Year.  A graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, Jessup entered the ministry following a three-decade career as a registered nurse treating oncology and hospice patients.