At Chester United Methodist Church, our staff consists of intellectual pastors and clerics that are committed to providing exceptional service to our growing community. They are the faces behind the daily upkeep of the Church, and the reason behind our ability to smoothly run our events and services. Contact us today and speak with one of our staff members!
REV. NATHAN A. DECKER, Lead Pastor
Pastor Nathan Decker was born and raised in the Ozark Mountains among curves, hills, hollars, and railroad tracks. His adventurous spirit brought him to love the history, geography, and people of Virginia. While working at Target, Pastor Nathan met his wife, Stephanie, and she has forever had his heart. The cute couple even had their employee name tags on display at the wedding. Love grows. The Decker’s now have two teenage boys, (Elijah and Ethan) who keep them on their toes. If that were not enough, they also have two dogs with colorful names: San Diego El Diablo (an old loveable pug) and Cookie Wookie Monster (a terrorist, and no, that is not a typo). Pastor Nathan did his undergraduate studies at Averett University. He completed his M.Div. at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and did further graduate work at Virginia Union on a Th.M. as well as studies on Historiography at Norwich University. He has served United Methodist Churches in the Virginia Conference since 2004.
CHAD BECK, Associate Pastor
Chad Thomas Beck holds an M.Div. from Union Presbyterian Seminary where he received the Patrick D. Miller Award for Excellence in the Study of Scripture. He earned a Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Ph.D. in Communication and Culture from Indiana University. Pastor Chad has a passion for preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and valuing the ministries of the laity. He lived in Mexico for three years, is fluent in Spanish, and participates in Latinx and immigration ministries, as well as ministries with the poor and the multicultural peoples of God. He is married to Talina, who is a deacon candidate in the United Methodist Church. They have four children: Aaron, Joel, Aiden, and Israel. Pastor Chad enjoys playing acoustic guitar, spending time outdoors, and coaching youth soccer.
JOSHUA N. WORTHAM, Director of Music
Joshua N. Wortham, our Music Director/Organist, has a degree in Church Music from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. He founded the Chester Community Chorus in 2007 (which ran until 2017). He is the former director of the Richmond Men’s Chorus and spends his free time directing musical theater in the Richmond area. Joshua has performed concerts throughout the southeastern United States, as well as Italy and Brazil. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Richmond Triangle Players. Joshua and his husband, Geoffrey Waugh, live in Carytown.
Juliana Paradie has a passion to serve and to bring young people to Christ. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management with a minor in Youth Ministry from Evangel University in Missouri, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Divinity at Liberty University. Juliana has held several volunteer positions with youth ministry, and before coming to Chester UMC was the Youth Director at New Life UMC in Midlothian. She hand her husband Corey have 2 beautiful children, Julius and Alexandria, and in their free time enjoy traveling, visiting the beach, and sports.
JENNIFER BARNES, Preschool Director
Jennifer Barnes, our Preschool Director, has her Master’s in Elementary Education and has taught Kindergarten in Chesterfield County. She and her husband, Michael, married in 1996, and have two sons, Braydon and Brenden. Jen enjoys being with her family and being active. She loves mountain biking and sitting on the beach. Her family is rounded out with four dogs, three Chihuahuas, and a German Shepard.
MICHELLE COUVILLION, Office Manager
Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and previously worked for many years as an Elementary School Teacher. Michelle has 2 adult children and lives in Henrico County with her two adorable dogs. When she’s not working, Michelle enjoys being outdoors hiking, exploring local parks, and just enjoying nature.
JULIE E. JONES, Financial Administrator
Julie is a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Hopewell and has served as their Treasurer since 1997. She also owns and operates Holly Lane Interiors where she works with designers to create custom window treatments and other home decor items for their customers. Julie enjoys sewing, spending time with her family and her boxer Jaxon.
SALLY MAXWELL, Office Assistant
Sally has a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, and has previously worked as an RN, stay-at-home mom, and Teacher Assistant. She and her husband John enjoy camping and visiting Virginia’s beautiful state parks.