Our Staff
The dedicated staff at First Methodist Church in Livingston—including pastors, ministry leaders, and support team members—serve the congregation through pastoral care, teaching, worship leadership, and administrative support.
Rev. Joel McMahon
Rev. Joel McMahon came to Livingston FMC to serve as senior pastor in July 2022 and has served congregations in East Texas since 1995. He brings a passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping people grow in their faith. Joel married Stephanie in 1992, and they have two adult children, Stephen and Christina, as well as two four-legged kids, Kirk and Enzi. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and Asbury Seminary.
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Cameron Supak
As a native Houstonian and proud Texas A&M Aggie, Rev. Dr. Cameron Supak joined Livingston First Methodist in 2024 with a deep passion for preaching, teaching, and discipleship. He is committed to the call of being "fishers of men." After earning a Master of Divinity from Duke he went on to serve many congregations in Atascocita, Marlin, and Whitehouse. In 2025 he earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Baylor’s Truett Seminary. Dr. Supak and his wife, Kayleigh, their daughters, Hannah and Suzanna along with their two golden retrievers, Maverick and Macie, are thrilled to serve the Livingston community.
Associate Pastor
Ethan Ainsworth is from Hallsville, Texas. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, Ethan is active as an organist, pianist, percussionist, and vocalist in a variety of styles. He currently serves as the Director of Music and Fine Arts at the First Methodist Church of Livingston after previously serving as organist at several East Texas churches including First Methodist Church in Lufkin and First Methodist Church in Crockett. He also served as a band director and percussion instructor in both the Cleveland and New Diana school districts. In his free time Ethan collects and restores vintage typewriters and maintains his collection of classic cars.
Director of MusicEthan Ainsworth
Alex loves spending time with his family in the great outdoors! Husband to Mandy and dad to Abigail, Mason, and Grayson, he knows his most important job is at home. Alex loves coaching youth soccer and basketball. The Bailey family really likes getting in their Sasquatch Bronco and climbing over rocks.
Alex has more than twenty years of experience in ministry. From youth, to children, to worship and other ministries. Leading the children’s choirs and teaching PreK music for Great Beginnings are just some of the ways Alex enjoys serving at FMC Livingston. Through all of it he hopes to share the love and light of Christ.
Associate Director of MusicAlex Bailey
Katie Kruger
"Katie Kruger has been working with children for nearly 20 years and has a deep passion for nurturing kids in both faith and life. She and her husband, Jason Kruger, share a beautiful, busy home with their four children and a beloved dog. Katie has followed Christ since she was 12 years old, and her faith continues to guide her work and relationships. When she is not serving families and children, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and savoring a good iced coffee."
Director of Children's MinistriesDan Schmidt
Dan Schmidt comes to Livingston FMC by way of Pearland, TX. After spending nearly 20 years in the restaurant business, he felt the call into ministry and is currently enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary with the goal of becoming ordained as a deacon in the Global Methodist Church. As Director of Student Ministries, Dan is passionate about helping the youth become firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping them to “GO forth” into the world. He also has a heart for mission work and service to the church and community. In his spare time, Dan enjoys woodworking, sports, live music, and especially spending time with his son, Logan, and his dog, Kenny.
Director of Student Ministries
Suanne Wilson
After moving 27 times over 40 years, Suanne and her husband, Bill, finally found home in Livingston. Though raised in the Catholic church, her faith deepened and truly came alive after joining First Methodist Church. She has served in ministry at FMC for over 20 years, first with youth and now with adults, and currently serves as the Adult Ministries Director. She is deeply passionate about outreach and community service as an extension of Bible study and has faithfully served with the F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group in Livingston since 2006.
Director of Adult Ministries
Richard Hudson
Richard has been working with technology since grade school in the 80’s. He started working professionally in IT during college as a student worker for university staff and faculty and has been ever since ranging from TV productions, managing smart classrooms and computer labs, website design, security cameras and databases for student ID’s, assets management and help desk ticketing across all platforms including Microsoft, Apple and Google. He has been married since 2008 and helps raise 3 children. He was raised in a Baptist church, and was active in choir and theatre both at church and school as well as running sound and lighting, and portraying various acting and music roles for various events at the church including VBS, as well as participating in youth activities and even an internship at the local Baptist church.
Director of Media and Communications
Serena Bickford
Facilities Team MemberCourtney Wheeland
Courtney has been a part of the First Methodist Church staff since April 2023, originally serving as Director of Student Ministries before transitioning into her current role as Business Manager and Financial Secretary. Her combination of professional education, leadership experience, and firsthand knowledge of ministry provides a strong foundation for overseeing the financial and administrative responsibilities of the church.
Courtney holds a Master of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas, bringing an extensive educational background in financial management, accounting, analysis, and strategic decision-making to her position.
With a professional background spanning corporate management and operational leadership, financial administration, and ministry leadership, Courtney brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to the position—understanding not only the numbers behind the church’s operations, but also the ministries, programs, staff, and people those resources are intended to support.
Outside of work, Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, side-by-side rides, boat rides, hunting, finding good food, traveling, and making memories together. She is grateful to continue serving First Methodist Church in a new capacity and looks forward to bringing her experience in finance, accounting, leadership, and ministry into this new chapter.
Financial Secretary
Glenda Riffe
Director of Great Beginnings
Gary Sanders
Gary Sanders is originally from Pasadena, Texas. He moved to Onalaska in 2017. After joining First Methodist Church, he decided he wanted to become more involved so he joined the facilities team. In his free time Gary is one of the square dance callers for the Lake Livingston Squares that dance at FMC.
Square Dance Caller
Laura Wright
Operations ManagerLaura Wright has worked for the church since September of 2019 starting out as the church secretary. In August of 2020 Laura was given the opportunity to be the operations manager which is the position she still holds.
Clay Wright
Information Technology