Staff

Pastor | Rev. David Aslesen serves as Pastor for the First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge. He came to us in July 2015 after ministry in Lake Bluff, Rockford and other Chicago suburbs. Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Pastor David earned a BA in Biology/Pre-Medicine from Dakota Wesleyan University. He earned his Master of Divinity degree at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1996. Pastor David is an avid theatre & museum goer, uncle to nine nieces & nephews, loves all kinds of food & neighborhoods of Chicago, drinks way too much Starbucks, creates art and extends himself in outreach to a number of ministries of justice and inclusivity within the Northern Illinois Conference.   pastordavid@parkridgeumc.org

Extension Ministry | Bob Campbell, ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, provides leadership and guidance in Adult Education and Spiritual Formation.  Bob has served many churches, and has a special gift for Pastoral Counseling.  Bob also has a conference appointment as the Co-Director of the Willow Wellness Center in Park Ridge.  Bob graduated with an Masters of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1995 and has a Psy.D. from Adler School of Professional Psychology.
rcampbell@willowwellness.com

Church Office Coordinator | Amy Lane joined our staff in June of 2014, after a 24-year career at Chicago Public Schools. She and her family are long time members at First UMC. The church office is our communications hub, and Amy is our welcoming face, greeting members and visitors, answering phones, and supervising the many print and computer needs. office@parkridgeumc.org

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries  |  The DCYFM is responsible for the development and oversight of the church’s ministries of faith formation for nursery-aged children through high school students and families. Rachel is a native of Texas who resides in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. She is a recent graduate of the Chandler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta having earned a Master of Divinity degree. Rachel’s ministry experience includes serving urban and suburban congregations in Atlanta and Smyrna, GA as children’s minister and director of youth programs and camping, campus and youth ministries in her native Texas.  rachel@parkridgeumc.org

Director of Music Ministries | A gifted multi-instrumentalist, John is our church organist for traditional music, leads our contemporary praise music group, works with the staff in developing our worship and music programs, and directs our choirs. He has been the music director of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods and music teacher in their school for Pre-K through 8th grade students. From his musical talent and expertise to his delightful personality to his ability to patiently teach, we are blessed to have him with us. musicparkridge@gmail.com