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Who We Are

Our Vision, Values, Purpose, and Pathway

Our VISION is to be a congregation that is actively
Transforming the World from the Heart of Las Cruces.

 We VALUE highly being a…
God-centered,
Bible-inspired,
Outreach-oriented and
Kingdom-focused congregation

We believe our PURPOSE is to lead people to become Disciples of Christ who…
Know God personally
Know about God deeply
Make God known intentionally
Come to know God fully

 We offer people a PATHWAY to follow as Disciples of Christ so they can…
Grow by attending worship services

Connect by joining a small group
Serve by working in a ministry team

Reach by participating in special events

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Head Pastor

Rev. Dr. Joe McDonald

joe@stpaulslascruces.com

575-526-6689

With a wealth of experience, Pastor Joe steps into the role of lead pastor at St. Paul's UMC. His journey has seen him guide several churches in the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), including FUMC Belen, Hamlin Memorial UMC, Rio Rancho UMC, and FUMC of Truth or Consequences. Before becoming a pastor, Joe's life was deeply intertwined with music, serving as a Music Director at several churches in the Houston area, then moving to New Mexico.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music from Houston Baptist University, a Master of Divinity Degree from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Austin Presbyterian School of Theology.
He is married to Rev. Cazandra Campos-MacDonald, and together they form a family deeply rooted in music. Joe and Cazandra met as music majors at Houston Baptist University, where he was a vocalist, and she played the oboe and French horn. Cazandra furthered her studies with a Master of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology and now serves as a Hospice Chaplain.
Julian is their oldest son, a professional actor and singer. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northwest Texas A&M. He hopes to sing on Broadway someday.
Caeleb is their youngest son and a Sophomore at the University of New Mexico, majoring in computer animation and film editing. He hopes to work behind the scenes in the film industry.
Pastor Joe is an avid fan of competitive figure skating and trained when he was in college. He still puts on his skates and loves the power and the freedom that ice brings. Pastor Cazandra and Pastor Joe are actively involved in the Bleeding Disorder Community both locally and nationally, as Julian and Caeleb have Hemophilia. Both Cazandra and Joe write for an online hemophilia magazine called "Hemophilia News Today. The MacDonald family is not only excited but also deeply committed to calling St. Paul's our church family. We look forward to many years of ministry and fellowship with all of you.

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Associate Pastor

Donna Nelson

donna@stpaulslascruces.com

575-526-6689

Donna spent her early years on a farm in Wisconsin and attended the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1976 she moved with her family to New Mexico.

Donna attended New Mexico State University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management and Economics in 1990 and an MBA degree in 1992. She worked for several years in Human Resource Management.

While attending Morning Star UMC, Donna responded to God’s call to pastoral ministry in 2003; in 2004 she attended Wesley Theological Seminary, where she received a Masters of Divinity degree in 2007. 

 

Donna served as Senior pastor in churches in the Northwest Texas and Baltimore-Washington Conferences: Cheltenham UMC, First UMC Tulia, and Back River UMC. Donna was ordained a full elder in 2010 as a member of the New Mexico Conference. Donna retired from full-time ministry in 2020 and moved back to Las Cruces. Since her retirement from full-time ministry, she now serves part-time as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care. Her duties include assisting with worship services each week, teaching Bible studies, preaching several times a year, and doing nursing home, hospital, and hospice visits.

Her passions include designing meaningful worship experiences, and teaching Bible studies.

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Director of Music Ministries

Diane Schutz

Diane@stpaulslascruces.com

575-526-6689

575-644-6863 cell

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Mrs. Schutz earned a BA degree in Choral Music Education from Texas Christian University and a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at New Mexico State University. Mrs. Schutz began her teaching career in New Mexico in 1975. Mrs. Schutz taught elementary, middle school and high school choirs for the Gadsden and Las Cruces Public School Districts. Diane served Westside Baptist Church as their Minister of Music for 15 years. Diane served as a Summer missionary at The Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, Texas.


Diane taught for 20 years at Las Cruces High School, where her choirs won National Acclaim for their solo performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Carnegie Hall. Mrs. Schutz served three terms as Choral Vice- President for New Mexico Music Educators Association, and has completed three terms as New Mexico American Choral Director’s Association President. She is a member of several professional organizations including NAMFE, NMMEA, NMACDA, Mu Phi Epsilon, Phi Delta Kappa and PEO. She also served as a board member for the Las Cruces Symphony.


Mrs. Schutz was honored in 2002 as the New Mexico Music Educator of the Year, in 2006 as the recipient of the Arts In Education award from the Dona Ana Arts Council and was inducted into the NMMEA Hall of Fame in 2005. She was awarded NMMEA’s Emeritus Educator  Award in 2015. 


Mrs. Schutz served as a Student Teacher Supervisor for New Mexico State University, Organist and Children’s Choral Director for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Director of “Good Time Singers” a Senior Adult Community Choir in Las Cruces. She continues to mentor new teachers for Las Cruces Public Schools. Diane is a member of the Mesilla Valley Concert Band, and serves as accompanist for schools in Las Cruces and El Paso. Diane has served as Choral Director for the Las Cruces Symphony for three concerts and 3 Broadway musicals. In September 2015 she directed combined community choirs for a tribute to Tony Award Winner and friend, Mark Medoff. She has served as an adjudicator and clinician in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Nebraska, Colorado and California. Mother of five children and proud grandparent of eleven, Diane is married to John Schutz, Retired Fine Arts Consultant for Las Cruces Public Schools and Associate Director of “Mesilla Valley Concert Band.” 


Diane has served Saint Paul’s since 2006 as accompanist and is very humbled to now serve as The Director of Music Ministry.  
 

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Sheryl Barham is a teacher with 15 years of experience. She works part-time as a reading specialist for the local elementary charter school. She has a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. She is married to Sean and is the mother of two little girls.  As a family, they enjoy reading together, watching movies, hiking, birding, camping, traveling, playing board games, and baking. Sheryl loves Mexican food, especially queso, yoga and Zumba, reading suspense novels, spending time with her family, and coffee… lots of coffee. Sheryl and her family have attended St. Paul’s since 2012. Sheryl joined the staff as Director of Children’s Ministry in 2017. Her teaching experience has helped her to understand the organization, planning, and management of resources and volunteers that make her suited for this position. She loves working with children and engaging them in hands-on ministry and creative bible teaching to help develop the next generation of disciples. She looks forward to continuing to grow the children’s ministries of St. Paul’s.

Director of Children's Ministries

Sheryl Barnham

sheryl@stpaulslascruces.com

575-541-3182/575-526-6689 x1007

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My name is Cindy Lopez, I am a Las Cruces native born and raised. I have traveled all over the United States and always return home. I accepted the position here at St. Paul's in December of 2023. I am blessed and excited to be here! I have my wonderful husband Robert, 1 son, 2 daughters, 2 grandsons, and 6 granddaughters who I absolutely LOVE.  I also have 5 fur babies! I really enjoy my position here at St. Paul’s as it has enriched my life. I continue to learn how to be a better human every day. 

Business Office Manager

Cindy Lopez

cindyl@stpaulslascruces.com

(picture taken on her birthday)

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Barbara was born in Garden City, Kansas, raised in Hobbs, New Mexico and moved to Las Cruces in 1994. Barbara is the proud mother of one son that lives in Albuquerque and two daughters that live in Phoenix. She has one grandson who is now 25 years old. Barbara began her secretary position at St. Paul’s in June of 1998. What an experience it has been and she says she has made sooooo many wonderful friends. Barbara has enjoyed singing in many groups in the past where she has been on the board in many positions. She enjoys singing in trios, quartets and small groups. Soon she will be retiring from St. Paul’s and will start a new adventure in her life.

Church Secretary

Barbara McDonald

barbara@stpaulslascruces.com

575-541-3179/575-526-6689 x1004

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My name is Kendra Robb, I accepted the position of Director at the Child Development Center here at St. Paul's in August of 2020. I am blessed and excited to be here! I have 3 daughters who have absolutely enriched my life: Trinity age 12, Serenity age 11, and DJ age 8. I have been passionate about working with children since I was a young girl. I feel blessed to play such an important role in educating and caring for young children. I have worked with children of all ages over the past 20 years, and I have grown in my profession from teaching Sunday School, to getting my degree, and then being the Lead Teacher in Infant, Toddler, and Preschool classrooms. I believe in going above and beyond for families and meeting their individual needs. I believe that each child is an individual and as an educator I value and develop each child's strengths, interests, skills, abilities, and knowledge to extend their learning. I believe that children learn through play, and curriculum should be play based to allow for authentic observations and growth in children. I love this work and plan to continue my own personal growth and strive to be the best in every role throughout the field of Early Childhood Education. 

Director of Child Development Center

Kendra Robb

kendra@stpaulslascruces.com

575-652-4682

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