Our Team
Church Staff
LAUREN LOBENHOFER
Senior Pastor
Hometown: Ada, Ohio
First Job: Newspaper reporter
Favorite Verse: Isaiah 43:1-2
Lauren serves as Senior Pastor, which means she shepherds the congregation toward God’s vision. She oversees the worship, care, and administrative ministries of the church. Lauren graduated from the University of Missouri and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. As a self-proclaimed nerd, she loves talking about Star Wars, Doctor Who, John Wesley, and Jesus (not in that order), working jigsaw puzzles, and hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains. Favorite Netflix Show: The West Wing and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Her favorite superheros are Iron man and Thor!
TIM CRAFT
Minister of Discipleship
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
First Job: Food Server
Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12
Tim serves as the Director of Discipleship which means you will often find him teaching, preaching, coloring, playing laser tag and hide and go seek. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech and Wesley Theological Seminary. Tim is passionate about sharing the Gospel and the love of Christ with young people and meeting them where they are. Tim is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church. Favorite Netflix Show: Too many shows and not all on Netflix, but to name a few: Star Trek Discovery, Game of Thrones, and anything Disney!
Jill-Marie Weaver
Director of Equipping & Connecting Ministries
I hold a BA in Russian History from Mary Washington as well as licensure for secondary social studies education. I have been at Cave Spring for about 10 years and came here from First Farragut UMC in KNoxville, TN, and prior to that Fishersville UMC. I was originally programming and family ministries and then transitioned to Equipping (Spiritual Formation and Small Groups) and Connecting (Hospitality and New Guests). My favorite hero is Iron Man. He is the best. Full stop.
Adam Williams
Director of Contemporary Worship Music
I am currently a student at James Madison University pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Working in ministry has been a blessing to my life, teaching me how to love and serve God through my gift of music. If I had to choose my favorite comic book superhero, it would be Batman.
Star Song
Organist and Music Associate
I graduated from Presbyterian University in Korea (B.A), majored in organ and minored in piano and conducting. I have worked at Cave Spring since December 2019.I believe that music is a part of worship, which helps people feel inspired and uplifted. When I praise the Lord while I play, I feel joy from God fills my heart and our worshiping body. My favorite superhero is Dr. Strange because my husband is very much like him.
Mindy Brush
Business Manager
I have a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Ferrum College. I have worked at CSUMC as the Business Manager since May 2018. Working in ministry is important to me because it allows me to serve God and fellow Christians with my accounting abilities. Being a part of CSUMC staff has brought me closer to God on a personal level in my everyday life. I enjoy working with both the staff and congregation here at CSUMC. And I am afraid to tell you, I do not have a comic book superhero. With 6 children, I do not have time to watch tv or read!
Tarra Svec
Director of Weekday School
My name is Tarra Svec and I am the Weekday School Director. I began at CSUMC Weekday School as a 3 year old class teacher in September of 2003. I taught the 3 year old class for a few years and then moved up to teaching the Pre-K class. I taught Pre-K for a couple of years and then took over as the Director in 2010. This is my 12th year as Director and I love what I do! I really enjoy guiding families through the preschool years and seeing their children grow. A child’s preschool years are a very short part of their life and I feel truly blessed to have shared those years with so many throughout our community. My favorite comic book superhero is Thor!
Patsy Ford
Office Manager
I have been the Office Manager at CSUMC for 20+ years. I am married to Karl Ford with 2 children – Michael and Heather; 2 cats (Mack and Moose) and a turtle (Mr. T)I graduated from James Madison University and I like being able to help people through my work.
Hope Key
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
I have a degree in Music Therapy from Queens University of Charlotte. I have attended Cave Spring UMC as a parishioner for about 5 years and recently joined staff as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator. I have led middle school and high school small groups as well as been an active participant in the praise band during the 9AM service. Children’s ministry is important to me because the experiences that children have when they are young will greatly impact their lives as adults. I’m looking forward to supporting children and families as the children at Cave Spring UMC start their faith journey. I have also enjoyed participating in the praise band. Making music with the team fills me spiritually and also feels like an important way to help others in the congregation experience a closeness with God during worship services. My favorite superhero is Wonder Woman.
BeckY Helton
Director of Traditional Music Ministries
I grew up in the Galax area and graduated from Carroll County High School. I attended Longwood College where I studied music/vocal performance and earned degrees in Music Performance and Music Education with a choral concentration. Church music has been a part of my life since the beginning, as my father was a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was also a singer. I have sung in church choirs since I was eight years old, and directed a few along the way. I was Director of Music Ministry at First UMC in Galax for several years. I am very passionate about the role of music in ministry because I think it is essential to the worship experience and brings us close to God where words fall short. The theology in our hymns is carried with us long after we have forgotten everything else.Because I read a lot of Superman/Superboy/Supergirl comics as a kid, I guess they would be my favorite, but I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Batman.
Marley James
Ministry Assistant
I graduated from Radford University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Performance with a Concentration in Health and Physical Education Teaching. I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Sports Management at Texas A&M and will graduate this December (2021). I started working at CSUMC in August of 2016 as a Nursery/Childcare Worker. I serve in this ministry on Sundays and Wednesday Night CaveKids, Trunk-or-Treat, VBS, Youth Group, and other special events. I am now kind of a Sunday morning catch-all to help with whatever is needed, wherever it is needed. Ministry is important to me because I like getting to work with the rest of the staff and building relationships with the families within the church. My favorite Comic Book Superhero is
Thor!
Annie Slemp
Child Care
Caroline Harris
Child Care
MARY VIRGINIA WILLIS
Child Care
CAVE SPRING UMC CHURCH LEADERSHIP
MIKE LAWTON
The executive council of the church works to discern God’s direction for ministries of the church and for congregation as a whole. Together this group works to plan the future of the church establish goals, create plans of action, and grow the church’s ministries. As the council leader, John works to provide a safe, sound, and equal space for the entire council. He makes sure the council is fulfilling its own goals as well as the mission of the church.
ROBERT ANDERSON
The lay leader represents the congregation and works with the pastoral staff to the congregation focus on their mission and vision and grow the ministries of the church. The lay leader also functions as a living example to the congregation of one who, “loves God and loves neighbor.” This individual will also work to make sure that the congregation is working within the community and the world as they participate in the Great Commission.
WILSON HUX
Staff Parish Relations Council (SPRC) Chair
The Staff Parish Relation Committee is a group of committed individuals who work to build a strong and positive relationship between the staff and the congregation. Together this team works to main a healthy staff life so that each pastor and staff member may grow in their ministry and personal spiritual life. As the leader, Wilson works as the primary connection for the team by leading the meetings, preparing meeting agendas, and ensuring all team action plans are completed.
BILLY BOSWELL
Board of Trustees Chair
The trustees are the stewards appointed to supervise and maintain both the church’s physical property and the gifts made to the church. Together this group works to ensure that the church property, buildings, equipment, and gifts are used for the greater good of the church and towards the fulfillment of God’s will. As the leader of this team, Billy guides the trustees by overseeing the use and maintenance of all church property and planning for the long-term vitality of the church’s physical resources.
WILLIAM GREER
Finance & Endowment Committee Chair
The Finance committee oversees the budget of the church, and grows, manages, and distributes the financial resources available to support the ministries of the church. They develop the congregation’s stewardship and monitor the church’s financial health. As the chair William guides the finance and serves as the liaison to the church staff, the pastors, and other ministry leaders to make sure the church has the resources to support its ministries.
ROANOKE CONFERENCE DISTRICT DELEGATES
Sue Thurston, Sandra hates, Bo Sun, Debbie Jones, Theresa LePere, Joe Avery
These representatives connect the local church to the Roanoke District of The United Methodist Church. They attend district meetings and functions and communicate district needs and opportunities to the congregation. They encourage members of the local church to engage in ministry with our neighboring congregations.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES
Anne Harrison, Rose McFarland
As representatives these individuals are the link between the local church and the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. These representatives attend Annual Conference, serve on the church council and other committees, and communicate any and all Annual Conference actions to the congregations.
CONTACT FORM
Address
4505 HAZEL DR.
ROANOKE, VA 24018
Call Us
(540) 989-3673
Email Us
SOCIAL MEDIA
Learn more about Cave Spring and our day-to-day activities on our social media pages.
