Rev. Long was appointed to Centenary by Bishop Schnase in September 2005 after previously serving Missouri churches in Eureka, St. Louis (Affton) and Ellisville. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, he is a graduate of Westminster College (Pa.) and Eden Theological Seminary. He is expecting to complete a doctor of ministry degree in May 2010.  Married to his college sweetheart, Lois, since 1982, the couple has two children: Emily and Rachael.

Jeff’s first career was in radio broadcasting, working in Youngstown (Ohio), Pittsburgh and St. Louis, where he won multiple awards for news reporting at the state and regional levels. Jeff has a deep interest in the sacraments of baptism and communion and in the Protestant Reformation. The guiding Scripture verses for his ministry (which form the basis for Centenary’s credo of “Honor God, Help People”) are Mark 12:30-31:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength…and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Rev. Karen Nothdurft has served on the staff of Centenary since September 1999. She is a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illnois, and has a graduate certificate in pastoral care from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. She was recently commissioned as a clergy member of the Missouri Conference.

Before serving in the local church Karen worked in health care as a registered nurse and continues to hold an active license. She has a specific interest in ministry to the whole person--body, mind and spirit--and serves as an on-call chaplain at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Karen is wed to her husband, Paul.

Karen's life verse is Proverbs 3:5-7,"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding; but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."

Mike is a native of Jackson, Missouri, and has been an active leader in church music for over 35 years. Mike's wife, Betsy, is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Southeast Hospital. They have two daughters, Lauren and Caitlyn. Mike holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

In addition to his role as director of traditional arts at Centenary, Mike is the vocal instructor at Cape Central Junior High School, a position he has enjoyed for 20 years. Prior to this appointment, he has served as music instructor for Cape Public Schools at May Greene Elementary and for Oak Ridge R-6 Schools.

Mike’s favorite Scripture is Matthew 6:33: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Jessica Belanger is the Director at Centenary.  She and her family moved back to Cape this summer from Denver.  They have previously lived in Cape, and their son, Austin, attended Centenary in 2008-2010. Jessica received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Southeast Missouri State University.  She has a passion for working with young children and families.  Before joining the preschool team at Centenary, her previous job was with Missouri Mentoring Partnership.  While at MMP, she worked as a case manager with teen parents, focusing on improving their life skills and parenting skills. She has also worked for several years in management; however, her most important job is being Austin(5) and Max’s (1)mom.  Austin is a pre-k student at Centenary, and Max will be a student next fall here!  She is married to Ben, who is the music teacher at West Lane/Millersville/Gordonville Elementary.  Jessica says she is so excited to be working at such a special preschool.  She is honored to have the opportunity to watch the children grow and learn about the wonderful world around them that God created!