Our Staff
David has been a pastor in United Methodist Churches in Missouri for 23 years. He has served churches from mid-sized to large, including one he and his wife, Nancy started themselves. David and Nancy have three children; Stephanie (Carrie), JD (Alyssa), and Rachel (Seth). They have two grandchildren and one on the way. In addition to his family and the church, David’s passions include the St. Louis Cardinals, Imo’s Pizza, any mission project that alleviates suffering, and vacations with Nancy and his family.
Greg was ordained an elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church in 2012, and serves as Living Word’s Executive Pastor, having previously served as adult ministries director and age-level ministries director. Before becoming a pastor, Greg was an aerodynamics engineer for 23 years. He loves learning, teaching, and numbers. When he isn’t immersed in an Excel spreadsheet, Greg is probably reading classic literature, watching old episodes of Star Trek, or dreaming about the next road trip he wants to take. His wife Karen and adult daughters Celia and Hannah tolerate all of these things.
A former elementary and high school vocal music teacher in the Rockwood School District, Donna also served in the church as a director of children, youth and adult choirs. She received her degree in Vocal and Instrumental Education from William Jewell College and a Master of Arts in Educational Processes from Maryville University. She enjoys singing and plays the flute and piano. A St. Louis native, Donna also enjoys spending time with her family (Lane, Landan & Kate, and Lance) and their sweet beagle, Marley.
Originally from Little Rock, AR, Beth has lived in Louisiana, Texas and Missouri. She graduated from Kickapoo High School and Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. She and her husband, John, have lived in Wildwood since 1999 and have been members of Living Word for 18 years.They have 2 children, Elise and Brett and son-in-law, Brett and granddaughter, Lily. Beth enjoys traveling, spinning, pilates, and spending time outdoors.
Cindy began her position as Administrative Assistant in February, 2008. She currently provides support for the Executive Pastor, Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, and Director of Worship Arts. In addition, Cindy provides support to the Director of Business Operations and the Director of Facilities Management as it relates to the calendar.
She was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri transplanting to the St. Louis area in 1990. Her interests include listening to and playing music, and spending time with her grown children, especially her adorable two granddaughters, Lydia and Claire and grandson, Seamus.
Corey moved to Chesterfield when he was three and has been going to Living Word (then, Ellisville UMC) ever since. He went back and forth between the worship band and the tech booth until graduating from Missouri State University with a degree in Digital Film Production and coming to work at Living Word.
In his free time, Corey enjoys drumming, playing Nintendo, playing board games, making movies, playing with his three toy poodles, and visiting his girlfriend in Springfield, MO.
Nancy Classen
Organist
Nancy is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and joined the staff of Living Word in January 1 of 1999. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and her Master of Music from Webster University. Before her Living Word appointment, Nancy served as organist for the Evangelical Redeemer United Church of Christ in south St. Louis. Nancy is a freelance oboist and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and their children. In her spare time she enjoys fitness and the arts.
Kim was born and raised in St. Louis. Before joining the staff of Living Word, Kim was a stay-at-home mom raising her 3 children, Adam, Emily, and Alison. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Maryville University. Kim and her family have been members of Living Word for over 20 years and have been involved in many aspects of the church. Kim enjoys sewing, interior decorating, gardening, traveling and spending time with her kids.
Joe is a St. Louis native, and has lived here his entire life. He has been married for eighteen years to his wife, Ginny, and between them they have five children, with five grandchildren, and one more grandchild on the way. Joe worked for the Fort Zumwalt School District for six years, and has also been employed as an over-the-road truck driver, a rehabber, and seller/buyer on eBay. His hobbies include metalworking, electronics, plasma cutters, and playing his Fender guitar. He likes to invent anything from toys to tools.
Holly Mckee
Accompanist
Wesly comes to Living Word with over a decade of experience in next gen and small group ministries, having most recently served as Summer Camp Director, Community Groups Coordinator, and Connections Coordinator at Messiah Church in Weldon Spring, Missouri. A graduate of Murray State University with a degree in education, Wesly taught public school in western Kentucky and served as a local summer camp director before relocating to St. Louis. Since childhood, Wesly has had an absolute passion for camp ministry—hardly missing a summer at Camp Lakeview in Seymour, Indiana, be it as a camper or staff member—and that love of everything outdoors is still apparent in her fun-loving approach toward children’s and youth ministries today.
When she’s not in the office, Wesly is probably off trekking a new trail through the woods; playing guitar with her old dogs, Millie and Mona, or singing Hamilton songs at the top of her lungs with her two sons, Liam and Ewan. Wesly’s husband, Will, puts up with the shenanigans so long as the family can watch every single St. Louis Blues game—she doesn’t mind.
Samantha earned her bachelor’s degree from Blackburn College and completed her graduate program in Christian Leadership through Grand Canyon University. Prior to joining Living Word in 2020, Samantha served as a recruiter with the Girl Scouts, a volunteer director at a history museum, and most recently as the Family Life Minister at Minier Christian Church in Minier, Illinois.
Samantha is an avid Cubs fan, and in her free time she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, running, hiking, hanging out with her nieces and nephew and spending time with her dog, Rizzo.