Jesse Dompreh is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary where he earned his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and Master of Theology (MAT), respectively. He is the Director of the Solid Grounds Coffeehouse, a 22 year outreach ministry of St. Stephen’s UMC; his responsibilities as an associate pastor also includes pastoral/spiritual care. Jesse is a board-certified chaplain (BCC) with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and currently serves as its State Rep. for New Mexico. He has also served in varied positions of leadership with business and civic organizations in New Mexico. His wife Marsha is a retired HUD Administrator. Jesse and Marsha have two living children, Jessica, and Matthew; two dogs (Springers), Harper and Bruno. Jesse emigrated to the US from Ghana in 1980; and was ordained as an Itinerant Elder by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2004.

Phone: 505-293-9673, Ext. 106

Dr. Gregory Gallagher completed his Bachelor of Music (BM) in Vocal Performance with a Minor in Bible at Cedarville University, and both his Master of Music (MM) in Vocal Performance and his Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in Vocal Performance with a minor in Vocal Pedagogy at Louisiana State University. Dr. Gallagher is passionate about using his gifts to serve the Lord through the local church. At St. Stephen’s, he is responsible for organizing and implementing the music selections, team members, technology, and creative aspects of all Sunday morning services and special events.

Before coming to St. Stephen’s, Dr. Gallagher served as a music director at numerous churches in Ohio, Louisiana, and New Mexico. He was also an Associate Professor of Music at Eastern New Mexico University for seven years. Dr. Gallagher has been proclaimed one of today’s finest young singers and has appeared on the operatic and musical stages in over 40 different productions worldwide, spanning 20 different roles. In addition to his stage performances, Dr. Gallagher has performed at numerous events as a concert soloist and received a variety of awards including the VA Wall Award, the Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico Award, and an Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera. 

Phone: 505-293-9673, Ext. 105

Jo Lynne Anderson is originally from Waterloo, Iowa. She is a trained Registered Medical Assistant and a frequent volunteer at St. Stephen's, the APS schools, and the Girl Scouts. She has enjoyed traveling around the world as a military spouse, having recently lived in Bonn, Germany. Jo Lynne, along with her husband Jeff and daughters Jenna and Lauren, are excited and blessed to be a part of the SSUMC family! In her free time, Jo Lynne enjoys reading, cooking, baking, being outdoors, and playing with their new Labradoodle puppy Bailey!

~For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.~ Jeremiah 29-11

Phone: 505-293-9673, Ext. 125

Martha Benn grew up in Abernathy, Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Home Economics. She had a 30-year career as an Executive Staff Member with the Girl Scouts. After retiring from the Girl Scouts, she moved to Albuquerque where she was a Facilitator and Director of Training for De La Porte & Associates, a family-owned Christian business for management training and development, serving the corporate and non-profit community. Benn currently serves on the Board of the local Council for Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails. She’s been a member of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church since 1990 and is proud to call this church her home. Her leadership roles have included Chair of the Building Committee, Chair of Staff Parish Relations, Lay Leadership and Delegate to Annual Conference. She has served as a member of Leadership Council and as a Volunteer Coordinator of Small Groups, which is her passion. She currently is the Lead Facilitator and Curriculum Developer for Healthy Church Initiative in the New Mexico Annual Conference. Benn is active in volunteering for both the community and St. Stephen’s. Benn has had the opportunity to observe and work with leadership in all sectors; the church, non-profit, and corporate.

Phone: 293-9673, Ext. 102

Bill Huntsman was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and graduated New Mexico State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Accountancy degree. He spent 34 years with the Internal Revenue Service before retiring in 2014. Since then he has worked in public accounting preparing tax returns and representing clients in front of the IRS. He has also done contract forensic accounting work with another small firm in Albuquerque. Bill and his wife Lisa have been married for 5 ½ years and have four children, with the youngest one just beginning college this last year. Bill enjoys golfing and is currently the Boys Varsity Golf Coach at Hope Christian High School.

Phone: 505-293-9673, Ext. 116

Cheryl Ritson received a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from The University of New Mexico, where she also worked as an administrative assistant and fiscal services tech for 15 years. She has been actively involved in outreach and music ministries since she started attending in 2005. She enjoys the many opportunities to help and to serve both her church family and her community.

"And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans." Romans 8:28 (TLB)

Phone: 505-293-9673

Hi!  I'm Karen Shields, the new Director of Kids Under Construction, Inc.  This will be my 14th year at this school but I have 30 years working in the field of early childhood education.  I earned my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and my Master's Degree is in Curriculum and Instruction.  Being a military spouse (now retired) I've worked in many places across the U.S. and in England.  Children's ministry has also been an important part of my life and I've volunteered as a teacher/coach for many years in multiple churches. My heart is for children to know that God loves them and we have a place for that!  KUCI provides a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment for little ones ages 2-5 to learn, grow, discover, and play.  As I begin this leadership journey, I seek to honor Christ in all that I do in and for the school.  Please check out our website and sign up to follow our Facebook page to see what we are all about!

Phone: 505-293-4448, 505-293-9673, Ext. 110