Paula was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana. She has one sister, Monica Nishida, who lives in California, and four stepsisters who live in Ohio, Georgia and California. Paula graduated from Taylor University with a degree in mathematics. She worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, substitute taught and owned her own Christian bookstore before entering seminary. She graduated from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio with a Master of Divinity degree, was ordained a Deacon in 1979 and an elder in 1981. Paula served Columbia-Orange UMCs as a student and Plainville, Shelburn-Ebenezer and McCordsville before being appointed to the Terre Haute District as superintendent. At Plainville, Paula met and married Laddie Mayberry. Laddie is a carpenter and is now retired. Paula and Laddie have one daughter, Hannah, who is about to enter her senior year at the University of Southern California. The family also includes their dog, Sandy. Paula has served in a variety of positions at the annual conference and district level and spent eight years on a national committee related to the National Division of the General Board of Global Ministries. She is the new chairperson for the Conference Board of Church Growth and Evangelism.

Family: wife, Sharon; three children: Becca, Jo-Jo and Zachery. Joe was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and has one sister. He graduated from Bethany College (West Virginia) and received his M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis, Indiana). Joe served a three-point charge in the Fountain Square area before he was named pastor of Northwest UMC. He came to Lawrence UMC in June, 2000. Joe's hobbies are writing and performing Christian rap, and he really enjoys serving as a summer church camp counselor. His dream is to eventually become a traveling evangelist.

Go to www.soundclick.com/hardheaded to check-out some of Joe's music.

Jim was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, and has one brother and one sister. Jim studied at Ohio Wesleyan while serving in the military. He received his undergraduate degree from Asbury College and his B.D. from Asbury Theological Seminary. Jim served a number of pastorates in South Indiana ( including Madison, Franklin, and Carmel) before coming to Lawrence UMC in 1990. In addition to his work as Associate Pastor for Visitation at Lawrence UMC, Jim also serves as pastor at Christians United congregation at Soldiers' Memorial Chapel, Fort Harrison. His hobbies are growing roses and teaching; and his dream is "to live up to the highest ideals of a gentleman and a Christian." Jim is married to Kay.