THE Staff of st. stephen's
-
JOHN R. RECH
senior pastor
Pastor John Rech and his wife Lindy have been living in the Albuquerque area since 2008. They have four children and seven grandchildren. John is a graduate of Texas Tech University, Asbury Theological Seminary and Perkins School of Theology. John is an active member of the Albuquerque Police Chaplain Unit supporting the great work of those serving on the front-lines of law enforcement in our city. Lindy is a graduate of Grand Canyon University and the Director of IT for the Lovelace Hospitals in New Mexico. Some of John’s favorite outdoor activities are sailing, skiing, hiking and golf.
Phone: 293-9673, Ext. 103
-
associate pastor
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, and a cat, Coco. 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: 293-9673, Ext. 106
-
ALLAN ESQUIBEL
DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP AND MUSIC MINISTRIES
Allan Esquibel was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prior to coming to St. Stephen’s, Allan was the Music Teacher and Librarian for Our Lady of the Assumption School overseeing several music clubs including a choir, orchestra and band ensemble, as well as teaching music. For the past ten years he has also been the Worship Leader for Our Lady in the Valley Church (Episcopal Diocese) here in Albuquerque. Allan has traveled extensively while touring with a musical trio, as well as having worked as a musician for Celebrity Cruise Lines. Allan has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in History, Music and Communication from the University of New Mexico. He and his wife Crystle have a 19-month-old daughter named Emily and a son Oliver who was born in July 2022.
Phone: 293-9673, Ext. 105
-
bill huntsman
Financial Administrator
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: 293-9673, Ext. 116
-
HOLLY KLEIN
Office Manager
director of Communications
data Administrator
Holly Klein came on staff 25 years ago and serves as our Director of Communications, Data Administrator, as well as our Office Manager. Her husband Bill is an engineer at Sandia National Laboratories. She cherishes the daily opportunities to further the Kingdom of God through her work at St. Stephen's. She enjoys studying systematic theology, biblical hermeneutics, and books by favorite authors J.C. Ryle, James Montgomery Boice, CH Spurgeon, and John MacArthur. Holly and her husband enjoy traveling, visiting various beaches and seaside resorts, taking Caribbean and Alaskan cruises, planning extensive road trips throughout the United States, outdoor activities, playing with their three dogs, and spending time with their two grandchildren: Bennett is 10 and Chloe Lily is almost 6.
Phone: 293-9673, Ext. 104
-
Director of connectional Ministries
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
-
Administrative assistant
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)
-
Director of Children and Youth Ministry
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: 293-9673, Ext. 125
-
Facility Manager
Scott Summerhill joined the St. Stephen's staff as Facility Manager in 2013. He has 23 years experience in church facility management.
Phone: 241-9916, 293-9673, Ext. 111
-
Director of Kids Under Construction, Inc. Preschool
Terri Machin has been at Kids Under Construction since it opened in 1995. She believes God has called her into this ministry and is thankful for opportunities it has provided to be involved with the children that have attended KUCI over the years. Terri is married to Glenn and has three grown children, one daughter in law, one son-in law and two grandsons.
Phone: 293-4448, 293-9673, Ext. 114