Staff
Hebrews 10:23
"Let's hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promise is reliable.”
Ministry
Rev. Charles White
Lead Pastor
Rev. Charles White grew up in the church – first as a Presbyterian, then as a United Methodist through high school. During his 20s and 30s, his faith journey took him through a variety of Christian communities, including non-denominational congregations, before he returned to The United Methodist Church in his 40s. That winding path gave him a deep appreciation for the ways God works across traditions, and a genuine love for people wherever they are in their own journey.
Before answering God’s call to ordained ministry, Charles spent two decades in business, sales, and printing – building skills he now puts to work every day in ministry. He holds master’s degrees in Divinity (M.Div.) from Claremont School of Theology and in Graphic Arts Systems from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Since 2019, Charles has served as a United Methodist pastor for congregations in Nevada and California. Along the way, he has helped congregations navigate difficult seasons with honesty and hope – launching food pantries, guiding churches through financial challenges, and creating space for people to explore questions about their faith.
His life and ministry are centered on two core Scriptures. Matthew 22:34–40 calls us to love God, love ourselves, and love others. And Luke 8:50 simply reminds us: “Do not be afraid; just believe.” Charles believes churches are at their best when they become places where everyone truly belongs – and he works hard to make that a reality.
Charles leads Bible studies, builds teams, and (as an Enneagram Type 8 wing 7) isn’t afraid to ask the questions he finds most compelling: “Why?”, “Help me understand…”, “What can we accomplish together?”, and “What’s next?”
He and his wife Anne have been married since 1995. Anne is an award-winning, senior graphic designer who works from home. Charles enjoys spending time outdoors – especially near or on water. Anne prefers knitting and crafts. They share their life with their dog Sophie.
Barbara Stoakes, R.N.
Parish Nurse and Membership Secretary
“‘To Have Life and Life Abundantly’ - This is what Jesus desires for us. I see people learning to stay fit, seeking healthy life choices, and healing from grief. In these moments, hope is found.”
Nora Olsen, M. Div.
Discipleship and Youth Ministries Director
“Growing our multigenerational community in faith so that they might know God's love.”
Worship
Sandi Walker-Tansley
Handbell and Choir Director
“Hope can be expressed in a close, personal way, or in a larger group, as the body of Christ in worship. I am the detail person coordinating all the moving parts that go into worship every week. I pray that we can bring God's hope both to the individuals we encounter and to the larger community outside our walls.”
Craig Peterson
Organist
“So many of the hymns and songs of the church are confessions of our hope; scriptures retold in poetic form and set to music, solidifying our faith and helping us focus on our relationship with a trustworthy God. As organist, I try to help create an atmosphere for worship by playing the familiar hymns and songs of the church which lift and inspire us. We may not remember all of the words, but even a phrase from a song can help us open our hearts and minds to the hope we need.”
Administration
Lindsay Mora
Church Administrator and Financial Secretary
“Providing efficient administration and accurate financial records is key to the ongoing functioning and organization of our church. There is hope in the generosity of those who give with open hearts to help fulfill the mission of Sharing God’s grace through Lodi FUMC.”
Gina Tadman
Bookkeeper
“Careful oversight and sound finances make for a stable church, so that the church can focus on it’s mission of Hope.”
Preschool
Support
Emily Wolfe-Chung
Exercise Instructor
“Fitness brings hope to the soul and health to the mind and body! For a complete mind, body and soul experience!”
Martha Muñoz
Facilities Care
“I remember the saying, ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness.’ When this facility is clean and safe, people are able to draw close to God and to each other.”