LEAD PASTOR

Dan Wells (Ph.D., Florida State University) was born and raised in Grove City, Ohio. After living in the South for eleven years, Dan returned home to the Buckeye State in 2020 with a couple of degrees and a bit of a Southern twang. Dan received his undergraduate degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2009, his Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2013, and his Ph.D. from Florida State University in 2019. Dan also teaches at Duke Divinity School. You can learn more about Dan’s academic work at https://drdanwells.com. Now calling Dresden home, Dan has a deep love for place and people. He believes that God’s Kingdom can be built anywhere with anyone if you take the time to invest in a place, call it home, offer hope, love God, and love people. Oh, and just be yourself and stop pretending in the process. Dan married his high school sweetheart and partner in ministry. Dan and Jaci have two sons, Thomas and Lincoln. The Wells family does their best to get outside as often as they can (usually with their dogs Elly and Goose), hiking, hunting, fishing, or just taking a walk down Main Street in Dresden. Come introduce yourself to Dan, Jaci, Thomas, and Lincoln this Sunday!

MINISTER OF DISCIPLESHIP & ADMINISTRATION

Jaci Wells is a pastor’s kid from Central Ohio (growing up in Worthington and Grove City. When she was in 3rd grade her father became a pastor, and seemingly overnight she became a pastor’s kid. Since she was a child growing up in ministry, she has had a lifelong passion for seeing others live into their call to love God and love people. After finishing her undergrad at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, she married her best friend Dan where they not only became husband and wife, but partners in ministry. In addition to her involvement at Dresden Church, Jaci owns and operates the Dresden-based custom cake business, Really Good Cakes.

As the Minister/Director of Discipleship & Administration, Jaci assists the Lead Pastor in the process of church administration and the development, organization, training, empowerment, and support of Dresden “Home Groups” as the congregation lives out its mission to Love God and Love People.

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Cheryl Inboden has been married to Matthew since 1977. They both were born and lived in Hocking County growing up, and attended the same high school. Four years of early married life in Duluth, Minnesota gave them a true appreciation for Ohio winters. Following four years with the USAF, they returned to Ohio where Matthew had a long career at the Conesville Generating Station as a stationary steam engineer. Cheryl was a stay at home Mom, freelance musician, church pianist, and private piano teacher since 1981. Their daughters are Julie and Jane, young and happy moms married to amazing Godly men. There are four beloved grandchildren. The family loves God, loves people, loves music! Matthew plays a 5 string banjo, oldest daughter leads worship in her northern Virginia church, granddaughter loves to duet on the keys with “her Mimi”….so now and then we see them in Dresden!

DRESDEN WORSHIP, LEAD

Tom Wilcox was born, raised and went to school in Dresden. His interest in music started as a youth, playing genre’s of classic rock to heavy metal during his youth. Not until riding as a passenger in a company vehicle did he hear his first contemporary Christian song and has not looked back. Being active in the music ministry has made his music life complete playing for an audience of One. Keeping God as the focus not only in the music but also in his life, Tom is enjoying life at it’s fullest. Married to his wife Amy, they also have a daughter Brittany(Eric) Spangler, son Braden(Jane) Wilcox and first grandson Tommy keeping everyday exciting and new. Tom and Amy love traveling, riding their motorcycle, and visiting wineries/craft breweries around the country.

DIRECTOR, DRESDEN KIDS HOPE

Connie Ripple was born and raised in Dresden, and has been a part of Dresden United Methodist Church since birth. Her and her husband Pat were married in 1973, and have four grown children, and 13 grandchildren. They have always lived in Dresden and love
our little village and the people. Pat was in the first class of Tri-Valley School District after the four area schools consolidated, and Connie was in the second class. Connie has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ohio
University and retired in 2005 from the Tri-Valley School system where she taught
kindergarten and first grade.

When Connie retired, she became active in the Kids Hope program and was a mentor
until 2010, when she took over the position of Director of Kids Hope USA at the
church. She believes that God sent this wonderful program to us. There are so many
children, who need a positive influence in their lives. We became the hands and
feet of Jesus, sharing His love and grace with our students. Connie feels blessed to be a
part of this program and hope we can continue for years to come.