President

Carol Jackson

To my awesome church members:

First of all, I am extremely humbled that you would consider me for such an important position in the church’s governance during this critical time.  I humbly, graciously, and prayerfully accept your nomination for board president.  I have listed some goals, thoughts and visions for our church. Some of these goals and visions may overlap, may need revision and/or deletion, and definitely additions after hearing from our members.

At your request, I have also included a resume or biography listing my experiences and I suppose qualifications. I know I probably have given you more information than you need or even want (LOL) but I wanted you to know as much about me as possible, especially given the fact that we are embarking on a very new and sometimes scary journey. This was a very difficult assignment because I have not done anything like this in years.  I thought I was rather retired but we know none of us are truly retired while in God’s service.

Again, thank you for entrusting me with this nomination.  Also, thank you in advance for any member that may vote for me.  If elected, I will do all I can to carry our church forward with you as my eyes, ears, dreams, and much needed shipmates. If you have any additional comments, inquiries, concerns, or otherwise, please feel free to contact me by phone or email.

If elected president to All Nations Church Board, my visions and goals are, but not limited to the following:

  • Meet with each member to ascertain their ideas, needs, desired services, and expectations of me, the board, and the future of the church.
  • Ensure an open door policy.
  • Brain storm innovative ways to publicize our church, especially the location (i.e. exterior signage) to the community and beyond showcasing our wonderful church.
  • Be transparent, inclusive, thoughtful and prayerful in church decisions.
  • Establish more of an outreach to members in need such as visits, phone calls, cards, monetary for the sick, shut in, bereaved, etc.
  • Observation and an action committee to reach out to church members or attendees who at times may be absent to ensure there is an appropriate reason for being absent or having left the church; and to determine if the church can fulfill any of their needs.
  • Corroborate ideas to stay more connected with church members while in-between small and large groups.
  • Publish a membership booklet (digitally for ease of maintenance) for all members to include photos, brief bio information such as contact information, photo, birthday, etc.
  • If and whenever possible, ensure every member is gainfully employed (unpaid of course) in the church’s mission according to their specialties, desires, callings, etc.  Moto is that “No Member Is Left Behind”.
  • Ensure appropriate fiscal responsibility, management, budget, etc. of church’s income, monetary requirements and needs.
  • Continue with the established commitments and church programs such as Thanks Give-A-Way, Prosper the City, Prayer Walks, Teen Events, and other creative new programs.
  • Become more visible in U. City’s Faith Community as well as other segments of the community by participating in and attending neighboring church events, attendance and booth presence at City Wide Events such as the Annual National Night Out Against Crime/Back to School Rally, Memorial Day Run, attendance through the University City Citizen’s Police Academy, attendance at the monthly city-wide citizen’s Focus Group Meetings, etc.
  • Increase our church membership by continuing to prosper our city and “thinking outside the box” to become more creative, innovative, and visible.

In His Service Forever,
Carol A. Jackson

Annie Reagan

Dear All Nations Church Family:

Let me begin by saying thank you for the nomination to be President of the Board of Directors.

I am honored and humbled by your trust in me. After much prayerful consideration, I will accept the nomination.

As requested, a little about me. I am first and foremost a child of God. Prior to All Nations, I was a member of New Beginnings Church in Pacific, MO. At New Beginnings I was active in the Women’s Bible Study and served as a member at large for the Board of Directors. That was where I met the Paavola family- Chris, Ashley, and baby Selah. I became involved with the church plant process that eventually led to the beginning of All Nations Church in University City.

Second, I am mom to two amazing humans. My son Tim lives in Montana with his fiancé and their 2 dogs, and is an architect. My daughter Caryn lives in New York City with her dog, and is a couture bridal gown designer.

Next, I am a nurse practitioner, currently at St Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights. I began my career as a nurses aide at a nursing home, where I was privileged to care for the elderly. I learned so much from their life stories! After getting my associates degree, then a bachelors degree, and eventually my masters degree, all while raising my children and working as a nurse, I began working as a nurse practitioner in open heart surgery. I have been a nurse practitioner for 18 years. During that time, I have mentored several nurse practitioner students on their way to their degrees, and have been a role model for the nurses I work side by side with everyday.

I am also a sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend to a large, diverse group of people.

All of the nominees were asked to describe why they thought they were qualified for the specific office for which they are nominated. I will describe my qualifications by asking a question: Why me? Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, there are leaders who I am sure asked themselves that same question. As the song “Nobody” by Casting Crowns and Matthew West says, Jesus chose the misfits. “Moses had stage fright and David brought a rock to a sword fight. Jesus picked 12 outsiders nobody would’ve chosen and He changed the world.” I’m a misfit, a perfectly imperfect human who is being asked to be a leader of our church as we move forward. What was it about the misfits that Jesus chose that made them leaders? Courage, faith certainly. In Moses case, empathy for the Jewish people as he led them out of Egypt, and an ability to delegate leadership to others when he was on the mountain speaking to God through the burning bush. In David’s case, an ability to excel in unfamiliar circumstances, and to be able to “think outside of the box” when developing his strategy to vanquish Goliath. In the case of the 12, an ability to influence their peers to listen to the Teacher and become believers. I believe that I have most of those qualities as well. Courage to step out of my comfort zone. Empathy for the members of our church who are struggling. Ability to step into unfamiliar circumstances and excel. Influencing people by logical and cooperative appeals. An ability to see the “gray zone” in situations that are not just black and white. I feel that a leader should also have humility, be approachable and accessible, be transparent, and be willing to communicate with other board members, the Elders, the pastor, and the church members.

As I prayed about this nomination, I felt called to this role. As the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:2-3: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Scripture also demonstrates that the path to leadership is to become a servant. Matthew 20: 26 says ……whoever among you wants to be a leader must become your servant. I have served in many roles at All Nations Church- music ministry, audio-visual services, volunteering at community outreach events, prayer walking the streets of University City, assembling 200 boxes with daily prayer calendars and timers in my living room, and even Christmas caroling one cold night with Rebecca and Mary Jo. All of those things done to let the world know about the Jesus I love.

My vision for All Nations is to grow our membership by getting back to the foundational aspects of the vision for our church: be a church for people who don’t go to church, be a resource for the youth of University City, be a church that prospers the city, be a church as diverse as the city we serve. How do we accomplish those goals? Start with the basics- prayer walk the streets of the city, continue the Prosper the City events, have a church member be a liaison with the middle and high schools, plan outreach events to remind the people of University City that Jesus takes all comers- poor, rich, young, old, outcasts, believers and non-believers. Remind each other that diversity is more than just skin color and nationality. Let people know of God’s mercy and grace by Jesus’ death and resurrection- not punishing us for our sins (mercy) but instead having Jesus die for us and rise again to give us the eternal life that we don’t deserve (grace).

All Nations Church is changing. We will soon be chartered, and there are many things to accomplish. We can grow as a church of believers, in fellowship with each other, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and the never-ending love of God. As is said in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Thank you for your consideration. I will continue to pray that God puts the people He wants in place to lead All Nations.

With sincere thanks,
Annie

Adam Schoedel

I have attended All Nations Church with my wife Amanda since we moved to U City in 2016. I am a #girldad to Maeve (4), Laine (1), and another baby girl due in November. I teach biology and coach basketball at Lutheran North Middle & High School. At All Nations, I have led small groups, volunteered at outreach events, and served on the Constitution/Bylaws committee.

I was baptized into God’s family on October 21, 1989. I attended Christian schools from preschool through undergrad, earning my degree from Concordia University Chicago. Both of my grandfathers and my father are church workers. All three greatly impacted my faith and inspired me to pursue a career in Christian education.

All Nations’ mission is to “do whatever it takes so as many people as possible can see Jesus.” I envision All Nations continuing our outward-focused ministry programs like Prosper the City that align with this mission. I would also like to see our church develop new programs within the church that better connect current members and help them grow in their faith.

Secretary

Danielle Christopher

I currently work at Saint Louis University in Fundraising and Development. I have worked here for 8 years. I have a bachelor degree in Psychology and a masters degree in Clinical Social Work with an emphasis on Substance Use Treatment.

I have been attending All Nations for 5 years. My hope for the future of All Nations is that we continue the wonderful work we do to uplift our community and that our members grow into a deeper understanding of faith and what it means to be the Church.

Annie Reagan

See above.

Treasurer

Martha Burkett

I, Martha Burkett, along with my husband Darren and son DJ, have been members of All Nations since 2016. I would be proud to serve as Treasurer for All Nations.

  • 20 years of banking and 10 years of working with business financials
  • served on the board as Secretary for Unlimited Play for 3 years
  • Served as treasurer for the Catch 22 Miracle League for 3 years
  • Chair for local Diversity Equity and Inclusion chapter for Regions Bank in St Louis for 5 years

Thank you

Marissa Irakoze

My name is Marissa Irakoze. I have attended All Nations for almost 3 years. I began budgeting my personal finances at a very young age due to financial strains in my family of origin. This habit stuck with me, and, while I saw my fair share of lean years financially, was able to stay completely debt free through it. This gave opportunity for my husband and I to start a small brick masonry business of which I oversee most of the financial side of the business.

My dream for All Nations is that we would continue to walk in faith, be responsible stewards of all that God has blessed us with (finances, talents, time, etc.), and be willing to change and grow in order to benefit our community around us.

Join us for our next large group gathering: Sunday, July 27th at 10AM