Staff | Fern Creek UMC

Meet our Staff

Get to know the dedicated individuals who make Fern Creek UMC a welcoming community for all.

Senior Pastor

John Street

If you’re taking the time to read this, thank you. I will give you the short story. First of all, let me say how glad Lorie and I are to be called and appointed (in 2023) to serve the fine people of Fern Creek UMC. I was born into a Christian family of Methodists who migrated from the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia in the early- to mid 1800’s and settled in the Cadiz and Hopkinsville areas of Western Kentucky. I graduated from Trigg Co. high school in 1975 and enrolled at the University of Kentucky and graduated with a BS in Psychology in 1979. The years passed as I worked in several different occupations, including state mental health as a social services case worker with a client load of around 20. In 1995, I enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Asbury Theological Seminary and entered the candidacy program for ordained ministry (how I got there is a long story). I met my future wife, Lorie, who was also in the graduate degree program at ATS, and we married in 1997. Over the years, we have served eight churches and raised four children. We are so happy to be here in ministry now with the United Methodists of Fern Creek. There are many great ministries that this church is involved in, and I know that God is blessing the people in this community through the work that this church does. If you are looking for a place to belong and get involved in works of mercy and kindness and social justice, if you need a place that understands you and accepts everyone, if you need a place where you can be nurtured and grow in your faith, then this is the place for you. Come and join us as we work together to share the love of Jesus. Blessings, Pastor John

Minister to Students

Darryl Glass

I love kids! My passion is for working with teenagers and my favorite thing about serving in the church is the relationships developed over the years with the youth. Having served at Fern Creek UMC since 2002, I'm also a teacher and a former high school basketball coach. I've been teaching high school since 1995 and retired from coaching in 2017 after 20 years. When not working, I'm engaged in homeless outreach or walking in the park reading a book. Thomas Merton is my favorite author and writings from Merton’s many books have greatly influenced my life. A few of my favorite books are: New Seed of Contemplation; Eager to Love; The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi; the Road Less Traveled. I grew up in Louisville and have lived in practically every section of town at one point or another. Now, I reside in the Highlands with my lovely wife, Kathy. I have two adult children, Tyler and Erin, and two amazing grandchildren, who I adore! Tyler is a professional photographer and Erin is a counselor in the public school system. My wife, Kathy, is a nurse. While working with teenagers is what I believe is my calling, I consider myself an introvert at heart, finding personal comfort in being alone. When asked what motivates me, I would like to think it is love, but too often I find it’s sugar! I would describe Fern Creek UMC as a loving, caring and compassionate church and my vision for ministry is one that would turn out Sermon on the Mount teenagers whose lives are driven by love, kindness and compassion. I would love to get to know you and your children and invite you to visit and get to know the people of Fern Creek United Methodist Church.

Global Latin Minister

Ismail Whittaker

I was born in Cuba on March 30, 1967, into a Christian family and was taught in the Word of God from a young age. In 1990 I began pastoring in a small town in the province of Holguin, Cuba. I became part of the executive committee of the Assemblies of God in Cuba in 1998 and from 2004 to 2013, I served as the superintendent (president) of the eastern district of the Assemblies of God in Cuba overseeing 1,000 churches under my care. In 2013, I moved to the United States of America and became a member of the United Methodist Church in the town of Osceola, Iowa in 2016. Having moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 2020, I became a member of Fern Creek United Methodist Church in 2023. Together with my son Daniel Whittaker, we founded the ministry Global Latin Church. This is a faith community based on Jesus Christ and the Bible, where grace and forgiveness are a reality, and the community works together for the well-being of others.

Music Pastor

Tom Stryker

As Minister of Music at Fern Creek UMC since 2001, I direct the choir and participate in the praise band, playing several instruments including guitar, bass and percussion. Having grown up in Danville, Virginia, I left after high school to serve in the Air Force and later the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I'm a retired air traffic controller, as well as a private pilot and model aviation hobbyist. I also try to spend a good amount of time on the golf course! I've been married to my lovely wife, Maggie, since 2004 and credit her as a major motivator and influence in my life. The vision for my ministry is to enhance the overall worship experience by providing topical and meaningful music during services by incorporating various types and genres of music into the worship experience. There is a place for you here at Fern Creek United Methodist Church. If you have a musical talent that you’d like to share, please look me up after one of our services!

Director of Children's Ministry

Desiree Weingarten

I became the Director of Children’s Ministry in August, 2022, after having grown up in FCUMC where I was influenced by my parents, who are leaders of the Praise and Worship Team, our Minister to Students, Rev. Darryl Glass, and Jesus’ kindness and unconditional love. I'm motivated by a child’s innocence and compassion towards all and am excited about having the chance to prepare the future of our church. My vision for ministry is to teach our children to have the same love and compassion as Christ and to show them how to serve the church and our community. My passion is to help cultivate a sense of acceptance and love for all people through the future of our church and the world – our children. I would find it impossible to give up the Children’s Ministry! Our congregation is growing and I'd love the opportunity to welcome those who want to make the world a better place. I seem to be working most of the time, but do take time to crochet stuffed, huggable animals and spend time with my family. I love psychology books and all music (I play the cello and ukulele). My husband, Matt, and I are veterans of the Air Force. After having served in the Air Force for 22 years, I'm currently employed at the Kentucky Air National Guard as a civilian Department of Defense operations manager for the Civil Engineer Squadron. Matt and I are the parents of two children…a son and daughter who are the center of our lives. Your children will grow to love Jesus as they experience the studies, activities and events of our Children’s Ministry. Come join us!

Worship Leader

Rose Farquhar

Serving as Praise and Worship leader, what I like most about my position is the worship experience itself. What motivates me is knowing just how much I am loved by God! I grew up in Hardin County, but my career in the Air Force is what brought me to Louisville. Having retired from the Air Force several years ago, I try to be active in the church in many capacities, including Sunday School and Prison Ministry, and as a member of our Street Reach homeless outreach team. When asked to describe Fern Creek United Methodist to someone not familiar with our church, I would say that Fern Creek is a church that is not perfect but is striving to love and serve as Christ did. Speaking of love , I am married to my best friend, Glenn, and we have five children and 14 grandchildren. I try to spend as much time as I can with my grandchildren and enjoy working in the yard at home and spending time in the pool.

Preschool Director

Patty Hutzelman

I have been the Preschool Director at Fern Creek United Methodist Church for over 25 years. It's such a joy to teach and help prepare these children for kindergarten. Even after all these years, I enjoy getting ready for each new school year. It's such a joy!

Administrative Assistant

Kathy Goodman

Having served as Administrative Assistant since September 2017, what I like most about serving in this position is the Christian atmosphere and working with Pastor John. I feel blessed to be where God made the way and where He wants me to be. I have a son and two daughters and five granddaughters, along with seven step-children, 19 step-grandkids, and eight step-great-grandkids. Other family members include three Yorkies, two who are brother and sister, a rescue giant Yorkie and a Shih Tzu. I give my father credit as the one person I could always go and would describe him as a very wise, loving, God-fearing man. I seek guidance for what God wants for my life through prayer and admit I have learned the hard way about making choices without prayer! I enjoy going to Christian concerts and listening to Christian music on WAY FM. Mercy Me is my favorite artist, Grace is Greater by Kyle Idleman is my favorite book which I credit for changing my life. I express myself creatively through flower arranging, and arts and crafts are favorite ways to spend my free time, along with family time and “Friday Night Girls Night” with girlfriends. A little known fact about me is that I wanted to be a veterinarian when I left high school. In fact, one thing I could never give up, no matter how old I get is having a dog. They always give love and companionship! Non-profits that are close to my heart include the Susan G. Komen Foundation, as I have had a daughter-in-law and several friends with breast cancer, and the Kentucky Humane Society because of my passion for animals. If I were to describe Fern Creek UMC to an outsider, I would say it is a kind, loving, welcoming church. I would be happy if this was the last position I ever had!

Pianist/Keyboardisht

Sherry Massengale

I love music with a passion! It is a divine expression of humanity—a language that can be heard, understood and spoken by all. I have been playing piano for over 50 years, with several decades of years in church playing and directing. I sing, play piano, keyboards, brass instruments and have many years of directing ensembles, including praise band, choir and handbells. Come make a “joyful noise” with us!