Pastors and Staff

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 4:00 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 high-school / college 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, Minister of Youth*   I am originally from Tabernacle, New Jersey, and graduated from both AU and then ATS in 2017. I married my husband, Christian, in 2016. While in Wilmore previously, I was a Teachers Assistant at East Jessamine High and then a Youth Care Worker at the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home. Then, Christian and I felt called to work together in a similar capacity, so in 2018, we became “Family Teachers” at Thornwell Home for Children in South Carolina.  In 2019, Maxwell was born. While there, we also fell in love with two sisters who had lived at Thornwell for almost ten years, and we adopted Ashanti and Van last November.
I am so excited to be the Youth Pastor of WFMC, working with some teens I already know and meeting those who are new. I’m also looking forward to partnering with parents to help them have the tools they may need to help their families grow in the Lord.  I enjoy being outside and playing games with family and friends, and I love eating anything made out of potatoes!

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!

 

Patti Fiskeaux, Staff Assistant     My husband and I moved to the area in 1979, and minus two years, have been here since. I retired from full time work as the staff assistant at WFMC and am now working here part time. It is a joy and a blessing to serve the Lord in this church office. My husband, Charlie, retired from Asbury University in 2015. We have a son and a daughter, both living in Wilmore, and 4 grandchildren. My husband and I are blessed to teach the membership classes for the church. We hope to be busy serving and loving the Lord and growing in Him until He calls us home! 

 

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

 

 

 

Debby Marchal, Project Assistant    God led my family to WFMC in January 2001, and we became members shortly thereafter. I have loved serving here in various ministries—choir, Adult Bible Fellowships, Social Team, youth staff, data entry—and now on the church staff.  Coming from Catholic and Baptist backgrounds, this church has been a good fit for my husband, Jerry, and me. Before returning to college in my 30’s to earn an English degree at Northern Kentucky University, my work history included a church, a university, and a defense electronics firm. Then came the best job of all, and it carried the title, “Ben’s mom.” This church was a big part of our lives during the child-rearing years. Now empty-nesters, we continue to be grateful and feel blessed to be a part of this body of believers.

Cheryl Schell, Minister of Children      Minister of Children is my title, but loving children is my honor. I have attended the church since 1990 and took this position in the Fall of 2002. Mark and I married in 1988 and we have two wonderful children, Hannah and Adam, who are growing up much too fast. I love to read and do lots of crafts. Most likely you can find some kind of cross-stitch project near my favorite chair. I love the Blondie dessert at Applebee’s and almost anything chocolate. Stressed spelled backwards is desserts!

 

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*     Our family’s first Sunday in Wilmore in 2007 we attended the Wilmore Free Methodist and have loved being a part of this church family ever since. I am blessed to be married to Ken Thompson who serves with the National Christian Foundation and am a very proud mom of 3 fabulous teens, Tyler, Stuart, and Jessie. My degree in education came from George Fox University/Oregon but I treasure the life learning from God’s Word, godly parents and friends. 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 supplied in the office are an added bonus!)

Stan Wiggam, Project Assistant     I am the oldest “new kid” on staff. My wife, Marna and I have attended the WFMC since 1965. In 1964 I graduated from Greenville College 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 the U.K. toward D.Sc. in Higher Ed. We have two sons, Mark (Sue) and Scott (Kathryn) and four grandchildren (Jackie, George, Calvin, Lauren). Joining the church staff as a volunteer is a blessing and I look forward to completing many projects.