Staff and Leaders
Jennifer Gantwerker
Our Director of Children’s Education
An Illinois native, Jen holds degrees in Theatre and International Relations from the University of Southern California, and spent several years working as a special education paraprofessional in Connecticut. Since relocating to Arizona, she has worked extensively as a teaching artist, bringing drama (the good kind) to schools across the greater Phoenix area through in-school enrichment classes as well as professional development programs that help classroom teachers integrate drama into their existing curriculum. She is also an ensemble member with several local theatre companies and writes, directs, and performs with a Phoenix-based sketch comedy troupe. When she is not making art, Jen teaches yoga, drinks coffee, and reads books.
She is truly delighted to lead Desert Mission’s children and families closer to each other, their faith, and our church community, and hopes to inspire them to approach both their lives and their faith with a sense of curiosity, joy, and wonder.
Robert Payne
Director of Worship and Engagement
Robert Payne is the Director of Worship at Desert Mission United Methodist Church and his passion is to love and serve the community like Christ both in and outside the church. Prior to this role, Robert was the Community Development Director at 1703: A Faith Collaboration, Social Thread, where he connected people who are unconnected with church bringing them into community where they could thrive and belong. He is formerly the Pastor of Worship and Arts at North Ridge Community Church in Cave Creek, AZ and also served at North Phoenix Baptist Church for 18 years in different capacities including his most recent as the Director of Worship. He is a singer-songwriter, bandleader, choral and orchestra conductor, arranger, composer, and guitarist. In late 2012, he launched his first solo album blending rock, blues, and roots music. “Sunlight,” offers great songwriting, hooky melodies, and top-notch guitar playing. Robert earned a B.A. in Theory and Composition and Guitar Performance at Grand Canyon University. He’s has three fun, creative kids.
Christine
Our Administrative Assistant
Christine has accepted the position of our new Administrative Assistant! Christine is originally from Germany. She spent ten years in the state of Washington before moving to Arizona twenty-two years ago. She does a lot of gardening and cooking (Greek, Thai, Chinese, Italian… everything!) She enjoys history and watching documentaries. She and her husband like to go walking, so you may see them on the side of the road picking up trash. Be sure to welcome her the next time you’re in the office!
Pastor Jim Wiltbank
Lead Pastor
Pastor Jim Wiltbank was born in Nebraska and lived in NJ, CO and TX while growing up. He spent two years in Argentina, after which he graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. He then returned to his ancestral family’s home – Arizona, where he has lived ever since. He taught first, second and third graders for 14 years before receiving a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology in 2001. Before coming to Desert Mission, he worked at Lakeview UMC in Sun City, First UMC of Phoenix, Epworth UMC, First Yuma UMC and St. Francis in Tucson.
Pastor Jim and his wife Joannie have two sons – James who lives in New York and Eric who lives in Minnesota with his wife Jessica. Jim enjoys running, reading, watching movies, and traveling with Joannie.
Full Staff:
Jennifer Gantwerker, Children’s Education
Pastor Robert Payne, Pastor of Worship and Engagement
Christine Richwagen, Administrative Assistant
Rev. Jim Wiltbank, Pastor
Bob Weier, Pianist
Church Leaders and Administrators:
Dave M, Staff-Parish Relations Chairperson (our HR Committee)
Mark M, Finance Chairperson
Annette B, Lay Leader
Chuck B, Trustees Chairperson
Barbara DH, Council Chairperson
Mary Ann C, Missions Chairperson
“One of the most important gifts any of us may receive in our lives is an accepting community that is willing to support us in our journey of faith. We all come to God with many questions, with wonder, with hope and anticipation. We are seeking answers, looking for a vision that will satisfy the deep yearning for God’s love in our lives. We, at Desert Mission, would love to walk with you as you take this incredible journey of faith. We count it as an honor and privilege when someone says ‘I entrust you with my greatest questions, with my deepest wonders as I seek to discover and live from the presence of God in my life’.”