SIMLA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.
The People of the United Methodist Church®
Pastor Deanne Sharp
Pastor Deanne is a northeast Iowa native. She graduated from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa with a degree in Theatre with
emphasis in music. The Sharps have moved across the country in the corporate world, including owning a business in Vail, Colorado. While a corporate wife and a pastor’s wife, Deanne has been diligent in her Lay Ministry leading women’s studies, heading welcoming ministries and performing as D# Music Ministry in the churches the Sharps have served or attended all over the country. In 2007 Deanne submitted her request for candidacy to the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United
Methodist Church and will complete licensing school in 2009. Deanne has plans to continue her pastoral studies towards ordination.
Pastor Gene Sharp
Pastor Gene is also a native Iowan from Mason City, Iowa, a town made famous by the musical “Music Man”. He attended the University of Iowa with graduate studies at Drake University and Wharton Business School. During his career in the grocery industry, Gene entered the Lay Ministry in the
Iowa/Nebraska conference and served pulpit supply to many rural churches there. He continued his Lay Ministry while he and Deanne moved around the country in their corporate lives. He became a Licensed Local Pastor in Texas and transferred his credentials to the Rocky Mountain Conference. His pastoral
studies are continuing at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. Gene is currently Pastor at Ellicott United Methodist Church.
The Sharps have three children who are raising families in the Fort Worth, Texas area. There are seven “grandies”, from 3-14 years old, who prove, over and over, God’s sense of humor and blessing.
