Meet Our Staff
Pastor
Rev. Dr. David M. Oliver
Rev. Dr. David M. Oliver is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Massillon and the founder of Living Water LLC in North Canton, Ohio. He assists Christian leaders and churches across the globe to develop strengths, heal hurts and create positive change. To do this he uses Transformational Leadership Coaching, Christ-centered Spiritual Direction, Inner Healing and Freedom Encounter Deliverance. Dr. Oliver and his wife, Dr. Jane Hoyt-Oliver, Professor Emeritus of Malone University in Social Work, have one married daughter and two grandchildren.
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Dr. Oliver earned his Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary and his Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School. He has served United Methodist churches in Ohio since 1980 and has been an adjunct professor creating and teaching courses at the graduate level for Malone University and Ashland Theological Seminary.
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Church Secretary
Krissey Suggs
Baptized and raised Lutheran, Krissey studied Vocal Music Performance at the University of Toledo. She is a mom of three and enjoys spending time with her family, especially playing video games together. She values serving on staff at a caring, faith-centered, teaching church that blends meaningful tradition with thoughtful worship.
Choir and Bell Choir Director
Erin Sullivan
Erin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in 2000. During college, she served as Adult Choir Director and Youth Chime Bell Director at Gibsonburg United Methodist Church. In addition to her work at First UMC, she teaches music at Massillon Intermediate/Jr. High School, where she leads grades 5–8 choir, teaches ukulele, and directs middle school musicals.
Organist
Derek Condo
In addition to serving First UMC, Derek is a music teacher with Massillon City Schools, focusing on musical literacy and recorder performance. He serves on the Executive Board of the Massillon Education Association and on the church’s Board of Trustees. In his free time, he enjoys playing trombone with the Canal Fulton Community Band and Brass Choir, giving private lessons, and attending Massillon Tigers football games. Most recently, he supported logistics for the Michael D. Sewell Foundation “Band Directors Marching Band” at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
Custodian
Denny Arner
Denny joined the First UMC team following a long career with Schwan’s Home Service. Beyond keeping our building welcoming and well cared for, he brings energy and leadership to the congregation, co-chairing both Heaven’s Kitchen and the Abundant Blessings Rummage Sale alongside Bunny Weltlich, helping these ministries flourish and serve the wider community.
Treasurer
Deanna Levenger
Deanna Levenger is a retired Chief Financial Officer of the Woodridge Local School District and the Summit County Educational Service Center. Deanna is a member of the church bell choir, the King’s Ringers, and the church choir.
Financial Secretary
Charles Condo
Charles brings more than four decades of experience in information technology, a career marked by careful problem-solving and a deep understanding of how systems work. In retirement, he continues to share his expertise through part-time work digitizing court records for the Stark County Auditor’s Office, helping preserve and organize important public documents for the community.
Audio/Visuals
Judy Suggs
Judy is married and has two children and two grandchildren.
Prior to serving as secretary at FUMC for 25 years, she worked in the medical field for 14 years.
She prepares and presents PowerPoints for all our services along with controlling the sound system on Sundays.
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Judy has participated in the bell choir and music programs and is a member of the team providing lunch for the Habitat for Humanity Faith Builds.
Worship With Us
Meet our staff in person Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Visit our Worship page to learn what you can expect.
Contact us
We'd love to connect to tell you more about how Christ is shaping our mission in Massillon. Here's how to get in touch.