Staff
Executive Director: Pat Wright
Pat has been on staff at MMDC since July 2005 when she was hired as the office manager, she became the first full- time paid director in January of 2008. Pat breaks down her role at Midwest into three words: secure, encourage, and cultivate. Her role is to secure long term volunteers to coordinate, encourage and maintain healthy staff relations, and cultivate good working relationships with donors and volunteers. She loves working at MMDC, “Everyone that comes through the Center’s doors are smiling and say, put me to work! I LOVE THAT!” Midwest Mission provides opportunities to serve, as John Wesley says, to “do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, as long as every you can.” Pat clings to this quote and truly sees God at work through the ministry of MMDC, she is joyful to be a part of it, and encourages others to get involved. Pat feels that her contributions are her spiritual gifts in use and that MMDC is making a real difference and ultimately making the world a better place.
Pat resides in Springfield, Illinois with her husband Don; she is a member of Sugarcreek United Methodist Church. She has two grown children, Brant and Missy, and 4 grandchildren. After high school Pat attended Southern Illinois University for two and half years. Her prior work experience includes a family run truck line, insurance, county court’s office, and Sugarcreek United Methodist Church.
Pat’s prayer for MMDC: “That it continues to be a place that is reaching out to compassionately help God’s people in Christ’s name.”
Email: pat@midwestmissiondc.org
Assistant Director: Danielle Eaton
Danielle came on staff at MMDC in October of 2010 as the Secretary-Bookkeeper. As of January 1st, 2012 Danielle was promoted to the position of Assistant Director. Her role includes the bookkeeping, as well as design and production all of the communication materials that come out of MMDC, including the website, newsletters, and brochures. She finds joy in continuing to hone in on the spreading the message of MMDC in new ways and channels artistically. “I get to be a storyteller of MMDC, telling those from afar what MMDC is up to currently. I’ve enjoyed branding MMDC to be “Partnering Efforts for God’s Restoration” – I really feel that this what MMDC is doing…. As I’ve said in past newsletters, we are to be the hopeful.” The work is available at Midwest, because there are those amongst us, locally and internationally, who are in distress and need, not only do we provide them resources, but we are to provide the hope as well. John 16:33 reads, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Danielle resides in Chatham, Illinois with her husband Joel and daughter Annabelle; she is a member of Chatham United Methodist Church. Danielle has her Bachelor’s of Religious Education with a focus in youth ministry as well as her Master’s of Divinity from Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto, Canada. Danielle has worked in the past as a youth pastor, as well as a missions guide in Chicago. She currently spends a great amount of her free time assisting her husband Joel at Chatham UMC, where he is the Youth and Children’s Minister.
Danielle’s prayer for MMDC: “That the actions of Midwest Mission be pleasing in God’s eyes and that we continue to see the hope that only comes from Christ Jesus our Lord, and share it with others.”
Email: danielle@midwestmissiondc.org
Warehouse Supervisor: Mark Freeman
Mark has been on staff at MMDC since August of 2009. His role includes the organization and maintenance of the warehouse as well as the coordination of donations in and out of Midwest. Mark oversees all disbursements made both locally and internationally. One of his favorite parts of his job is to meet new people and continue to share the message of Jesus Christ. Mark finds purpose in the shortest yet powerful verse within the Bible, “Jesus wept.” – John 11:35. Not only did Jesus weep for Lazarus his friend, but on the cross he wept for mankind and for our lack of understanding. We have responsibility for each other, Christ made the ultimate and compassionate sacrifice, but we are to care for one another, even if it makes us weep. Another’s pain is our pain, and we are to give with the abundance that we have been blessed with. Mark yearns to help people and finds joy in the fact that MMDC helps people regardless of their denominational or religious backgrounds; we are all God’s children. Being a part of this ministry has continued to challenge and strengthen Mark’s faith; when you choose to serve the Lord, He will shake and shape our purpose, direction, and mission in beautiful ways.
Mark resides in Chatham, Illinois with his wife Pat and they have two children Melissa and James and one grandchild Colby. He is also a charter member of Sugarcreek United Methodist Church. Much of Mark’s previous work experience has been in mechanical repair; he also served in the US Marine Corps.
Mark’s prayer for MMDC: “That God would continue be in control of MMDC and that God continue to use him as an instrument for its growth.”
Email: mark@midwestmissiondc.org
Warehouse Clerical Assistant: Mindy Parnell
Mindy came on staff in April of 2013 as the Warehouse Clerical Assistant. Her role includes the scheduling of all volunteer groups and individuals; keeping up the monthly calendars and caring for MMDC’s volunteers when they are onsite. She is also Mark Freeman’s assistant and helps give leadership to the inventory keeping of MMDC materials and kits. Her favorite part of the job is meeting new people and being able to go above and beyond helping others. She enjoys knowing and sharing the reality that at the end of the day we have collectively (staff and volunteers) made a difference in the lives of others.
Mindy resides in Chatham, Illinois with significant other Rich. She is blessed to have two daughters Ashlee and Rachael. Rachael’s husband is serving in the Army and they have a daughter Madison. Mindy is proud of her family and finds her joy and strength in these loving relationships. Prior to coming to MMDC, Mindy had worked in the tax field. She is a member of Sugar Creek UMC in Chatham and has enjoyed being a part of their Bible study classes.
Mindy’s prayer for MMDC: “I pray for MMDC to continue to grow into a larger mission to help God’s children.”
Email: mindy@midwestmissiondc.org
Bookkeeper: Sharon Brown – Adams
Sharon originally came to MMDC to fill in temporarily, starting October of 2012, as Danielle Eaton was on maternity leave, but was hired on part time as the Bookkeeper in February of 2013. Sharon looks after all monetary donations and team fees, as well as pays the bills and runs financial reports. Sharon says her favorite part of the job is that, “everyday is different, I love meeting and getting to know the volunteers.”
Sharon resides in Springfield, IL with her husband Charlie. She has two daughters, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Sharon cares deeply for her family and is actually one of 10 children! Sharon recently relocated to Springfield after being gone 16 years. She has worked previously in offices and is also a professional quilter; she is actively making custom quilts as well as repairs antique quilts. She is also a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield.
Sharon’s prayer for MMDC: “That we continue to grow and that our good works are known among many communities.”
Email: Sharon@midwestmissiondc.org