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Rev Russ Tompkins
Senior Pastor
Russell W. Tompkins holds a Master of Education degree in Speech Education from Kearney State College in Kearney, Nebraska and has taught at both the high school and college level in the area of communications, ethics, political science, and philosophy. Russ has also received a Master of Divinity in Theology degree from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri and has been a full time pastor at churches for over 17 years. Russ has held many positions of leadership as a United Methodist minister of the Nebraska Annual Conference. Personally, Russ has been married for more than thirty years to Connie who is a music teacher in the Westside Public school district. Russ and Connie have two grown sons and three schnauzer dogs. Russ is an Eagle Boy Scout and is supportive of youth programs such as Scouting, baseball, and coaching boy’s basketball. Russ has an undergraduate degree in Speech and Theater and has directed several plays and musicals both at school and for Community Theater. He also coached several speech and debate teams at forensic contests. Russ’ interests include music (guitar and singing), reading, and traveling with his wife.
Rev Jason D. Kennedy
Associate Pastor
Pastor Jason comes to St. James serving in his first appointment, having just earned his Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology, in Denver, Colorado, in June of 2008. Core to Jason’s beliefs are Jesus’ teachings, community, transformation, and the living Word of God. Jason primarily preaches at St. James West and works with Young Adults, the Confirmands, the Youth, and committees such as the West Leadership Team, Outreach, and Evangelism. Prior to completing his degree, Jason helped start a House Church in Denver, has served as the associate at a Korean Church for a year, directed programs at Camp Norwesca for 5 years, and has served as a missionary teacher in Tanzania. Born and raised in Scottsbluff, NE, and holding the rank of Eagle Scout, Jason enjoys doing anything outdoors including climbing, skiing, biking, running, camping and swimming. Now that he lives in Bellevue, you’ll often find him at a local coffee shop, a local concert or CD store, or at the grocery store buying
supplies for his next cooking adventure (as he loves to cook)!
Sharon Buckley
Director of Christian Education
Sharon moved to Bellevue as an Air Force Weather Officer in 1996. She joined St. James upon arrival and became a volunteer for many activities in the church. After retiring from the Air Force in 1998, Sharon devoted herself as a stay-at-home mom and volunteer at her daughter’s school and the church. During this time, she realized her true calling was working with children. Her volunteer work progressed until she was hired as the Director of Christian Education. Sharon was raised on the family farm near Arlington, Minnesota. She is nearing the twenty year mark of marriage to Keith. Keith and Sharon have one daughter, Amy. Sharon loves to travel anywhere in our great country but the Black Hills is her favorite place. Her other interests are camping, photography, and Taekwon-Do.
Laura Petry
Director of Music
Laura L. Petry earned her Master of Music degree in Performance from DePaul University in Chicago and her Bachelor of Music degreefrom DePauw University in Greencastle Indiana. She has been directing church choirs for over 20 years while also teaching Kindermusik to young children and maintaining a private music studio for Flute, Voice and Piano. Her family came to Bellevue in 1997, when her husband, Michael was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base. They retired from the Air Force in December 1999 and are enjoying staying put in wonderful Bellevue! In addition to serving as Director of Music at St. James, Laura directs the Bellevue Festival Choir which participates in the International Church music Festival every few years. Her passion is using music to enrich people’s faith experiences and their lives. Laura’s hobbies include swimming, reading, antiquing, and spending time at her parent’s lake home in the Ozarks. She has also spent the last 19 years using her Mary Kay business to enrich people’s lives and share her faith. Laura and Michael have two wonderful children; Eva (18) and David (13).
Abbey Jackson
Youth Coordinator
Abbey Jackson began employment with Saint James United Methodist Church in December of 2002. Originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Abbey arrived in Omaha to attend Creighton University in 1999. With a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Journalism, Abbey's professional background ranges from non-profit development to youth ministry.
Abbey married Jason is September 2007. Together they reside in Omaha and enjoy traveling, playing board games and spending time with their dog, Babs.
Wendy Bevilacqua
Office Manager
I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX and I'm a huge A & M and Spurs fan. My family and I moved to Nebraska in November 2005 from Maryland. The most difficult part of leaving Maryland was leaving our church and my job. They were one in the same then as well as now. While I knew God had plans for my family and I, I often struggled with trying to figure them out. After searching for nearly two years for a church like the one in Maryland, my husband and I resolved ourselves to the fact thatwe should look for the church that God wanted us to call home in Nebraska. We received a mailing from St. James UMC with notice of a new location starting in West Bellevue and after a little pushing by God, we decided to visit. We knew pretty quickly that this is were God wanted us. We became members of St. James in 2007 and attend services at St. James West with our children. In August of 2008, I became the Office Manager and treasure every day that I am given to work with such wonderful people. I am also very excited to see the amazing things God has in store for St. James and the Bellevue community.