Wilmore Free Methodist Church

We’re a fun group who love our work and take it seriously. We love to help our many team leaders and church members give of their best to the Lord, facilitating ministry.  Let us know how we can help you. Church staff members can be contacted through the church office, open every Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm eastern time.  Note that the * designates full time staff – all others are part time and office hours vary.

Daryl Diddle, Senior Pastor*      It’s been my privilege to serve as a pastor to this great congregation since 1999, being appointed Senior Pastor in 2004.  Annette and I were married in 1998 and we have three fabulous young adult sons – Benjamin, Paul and David.  Pretty much any old car catches my interest; I like trying to keep fit, working around the house and yard, and I enjoy reading biographies and works on the subjects of economics and politics. I have an eclectic collection of degrees from Grove City College (B.A), Asbury Theological Seminary (M. Div), and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ed.D.), but would likely trade them all for a Starbucks Venti Mocha Frappuccino (light) on any given day.  My greatest goal is to follow the Lord without delay, and so continue to develop a heart after His own.

Caitlin Gothay, Youth Pastor*   I have led WFMC’s ministries to youth / teens since July of 2021.  I grew up in southern New Jersey. After high school I attended Asbury University and graduated in 2015 with a Youth Ministry degree. While at AU, I met my now husband Christian and we married in 2016. After AU I attended Asbury Seminary and received a Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry in 2017. I worked at the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home from 2017-2018 and then Christian and I moved to South Carolina where we worked together at Thornwell Home for Children until 2021. While in South Carolina we welcomed our son Maxwell into the family in 2019 and adopted our daughters Van and Ashanti in 2020. Maxwell is a typical little boy who loves playing outside and being with people. Van attends Asbury University as an international communications major and is an assistant manager at a Burger King in Lexington.  Ashanti works full time and lives on her own. Conrad was born to us in the spring of 2023 and has already had many adventures with the youth! Christian works as a corrections officer in Lexington. I was ordained an elder in the Free Methodist Church in May, 2024. I have loved working with the youth at Wilmore Free Methodist Church and cannot imagine doing anything else! A treat that will always cheer me up is an oatmeal raisin cookie from Panera (or really anything from Panera). As a NJ native I am very much looking forward to the Wawa being built in Nicholasville!

Dwight Winter, Senior Associate Pastor*     Kelly and I are from Pennsylvania. We met at Hobe Sound Bible College and married in 1992. We moved to Wilmore in 1995 so I could attend Asbury Theological Seminary and began attending Wilmore Free Methodist Church that fall. We have four wonderful children whom we love more than life itself.  My career past includes landscaping, fast food, European Hardware distribution, window & door manufacturing, plumbing wholesale & onsite wastewater management. Through several God-orchestrated events, I joined the pastoral staff in 2004 and am extremely blessed to be a part of this church family. I love being outside, being sweaty with dirt under my nails and meeting the next stranger and making them a friend. My prayer for this year is to be a better husband, dad, son, brother, friend & Pastor.  Kelly has been a travel agent, worked in dental, medical and law offices and is currently a full-time mom & wife. She loves her calling as a wife and mom only second to following Jesus. She enjoys baking, canning and anything that allows her to tirelessly invest in our home and our children. She’s an amazing lady!

Carol Blankenship, Nursery Coordinator      You know what they say about Wilmore: “You might leave, but you’ll come back!” That’s my story too. Bryan and I moved here in 1990 so that he could attend ATS and UK. Lifelong Free Methodists, we never considered another worshipping body for our church home. Our first two children were born in Kentucky, and I traded in my career as a special education teacher to become a full time mom and nursery volunteer! We moved to Bryan’s home state of Kansas in 1996 knowing in our hearts we’d love to come back to Wilmore! How ever could we guess that that was exactly God’s plan? We returned in 2004 with three children (Caleb, Sarah, and Anna), I was still a stay-at-home and homeschooling mom, and yes, I still served in the nursery! I love kids, especially those 3 and under. If you have someone in your home who’s about that size, I’d love to meet them and play!

Rose Evans, Assistant Minister of Music      I have been blessed to serve as the Assistant Minister of Music to this wonderful, loving congregation since January of 2003. I truly love what I do and desire to be used by the Lord in wherever He leads. I married my very patient husband, Mark, in 2004 and we now have three children – two boys and a girl. I graduated with a B.A. in Music (Church Music Emphasis) from Asbury College in 2002. I enjoy spending time with my husband, visiting historical sites, telling corny jokes, and watching Ohio State Football!

William and Julie Howard, Facilities Care   More information coming soon!

Cheryl Schell, Minister of Children      Minister of Children is my title, but loving children is my honor. I have attended WFMC since 1990 and took this position in the Fall of 2002.  Mark and I married in 1988. Our two children are now adults and live nearby with their own families which includes our four grandchildren. I love diamond painting, reading and puzzles. I love teaching children about God and the joy of singing, too!

Mark Schell, Minister of Music      It’s been my privilege to serve as Minister of Music to this fabulous congregation since 1991. Cheryl had one weak moment in her life and married me in 1988. We have two incredible children – Hannah and Adam. I am totally dedicated to my calling, as a husband, father and music minister. I really like to go on lunch dates with my wife, play with my children, and enjoy the beauty and relaxation of a golf course (no matter what the score!). My music degrees are from Asbury College (B.A.), where I am also the Chairman of the Music Department, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.C.M, D.M.A).

Renae Thompson, Staff Assistant*   We attended the Wilmore Free Methodist Church our very first Sunday in Wilmore, back in 2007 when we moved here from Greenwood, IN, and have loved being a part of this church family ever since. Joining the church staff as an assistant in August 2013 was a great blessing and it continues to be such a joy serving God’s people. (And the endless supply of peanut M&Ms and coffee the pastors keep in the office are an added bonus!) My husband Ken and I are enjoying having our 3 adult children, Tyler, Stuart and Jessie, all living in the area.

Stan Wiggam, Project Assistant    I am the oldest of the staff volunteers and have even been designated “Father Wiggam” by staff members!  Marna and I have attended the WFMC since 1965. In 1964 I completed my undergraduate degree from Greenville University with a B.S. in Ed. The summer of 1965 I completed my M.S. in Ed. at Eastern Illinois University.  I have completed additional studies at U.K. toward D.Sc in Higher Education. I joined the Asbury University faculty in the fall of 1965 and retired after 41 years of employment. We have two sons, Mark (Sue) and Scott (Kathryn) and four grandchildren, Jackie, George, Calvin (SiSi), and Lauren. Joining the church staff as a volunteer has been a blessing and I have enjoyed seeing the completion of projects and look forward to completing many more campus projects.