Rev. Emery Mason was appointed as Pastor to St. Paul UMC in June 2020. Emery was born in Oklahoma City, OK. and he entered the ministry in 1978, serving churches in Claremore, Sulphur, Bartlesville and Enid, among other communities. Emery was Muskogee District superintendent from 2011 to 2016. When the Muskogee and Bartlesville districts merged into Green Country District, and he served as superintendent until 2019. Emery attended Northeastern State University; University of Oklahoma; Bethany Nazarene College; Masters of Divinity at Phillips Seminary. He is married to his wife Lisa, they have two adult sons and three grandchildren.
Ineta Bebb, Director of Music Ministries – Ineta oversees the choir programs and the maintenance of the church’s organs, pianos and handbells. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education and her Masters in Vocal Performance at Kansas University. She’s served as the Director of Music Ministries at St. Paul since 1982. Prior to that, she taught music at university and public schools. She and her husband Martin have two grown children, Stephanie and Michael, who each have families of their own.
Margaret Wagner, Learning Tree Director – Margaret received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction at NSU. She has 34 years of teaching experience with Muskogee Public Schools. Her husband, Steve, is deceased. They have two daughters, Lynne and Laura, and five grandchildren, Kate, Jack, Stephen, Poppy, and Wagner.
Barbara Kent, Director of Children & Youth Ministries - Barbara coordinates our Children & Youth Ministries which includes Sunday School, a mid-week Youth Bible Study, summer camps, VBS and so much more. She grew up in Alaska with her two brothers and one sister and moved to Oklahoma at the age of 23. She has lived in Muskogee for more than 14 years with her two children and has a deep connection to our community and it's residents.
Beth Dunn, Nursery Early Childhood Coordinator - Beth cares for our littlest ones at St. Paul in the Nursery & preschool department. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from NSU and has been at St. Paul since 2013.
Lynnette Lewis, Business Administrator – Lynnette manages the church’s financial records, and oversees the church buildings’ maintenance and repairs. She has her Associate degree in Medical Office Management and Medical Transcription. Her experience includes managing medical offices, bakery, property and real estate. She and her husband Cameron have four children and four grandchildren.
Joanne Nilsson, Administrative Assistant – Joanne received her Associate of Science in Business Administration from Bacone College. She has over 35 years experience working in the church office and the administrative field. She and her husband Mark have two grown children, and six grandchildren.
Melissia Harrison, Custodian - Melissia and her husband Doug have been married for 12 years. They have 2 adult children and 7 grandchildren. Melissia graduated from Checotah High School and lives in Muskogee. She has worked at Cherokee Nation Housing Authority as a custodian and at Country Gardens Assisted Living as a Dietary Aide. We are pleased to have her on staff at St. Paul.