Here at FUMC, we have a wide range of employees that help in a multitude of ways in the preparation and execution of our many ministries. Below you will find a brief bio, a photo of each staff member, and a favorite Bible verse. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them at any point with any questions for them or what they do at FUMC!
Pastor Peter Choi – Senior Pastor
Pastor Peter Choi was born in South Korea and has a very extensive ministry experiences in S. Korea, Canada and USA. Peter was ordained in 2003 and joined the Virginia Annual Conference in 2013. Prior to join Fishersville UMC, Peter did church planting in Canada, Peter has served West Franklin Charge on Danville District and planted Roanoke Korean Church. Peter received his Bachelor (Methodist Theological Seminary, South Korea), M. Div (Acts Seminary, Canada), M.A. (Trinity Western University, Canada), Ph. D. (University of Manchester, UK). His dissertation, “Leviticus and Its Reception from Dead Sea Scrolls in Qumran” was published in Wipf and Stock Publishers. Peter loves the scripture, people, ministry and travel. Peter joined as the Lead Pastor of Fishersville United Methodist Church in 2019 and is ready and passionate to serve, encourage, and challenge people to experience God through our ministries at FUMC.
“Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” || 2 Timothy 1:9
Rev. Dr. Gene Williams – Minister of Visitation
Gene Williams is a retired United Methodist pastor who retired in 2003 but cannot figure out what the word means. Gene believes that God-given gifts are meant to be used, thus the job of the Visitation pastor. Gene graduated from Eastern Mennonite College and Eastern Mennonite Seminary and went on to Candler School of Theology, Emory University for a doctorate. Gene enjoys his visits with congregation members, taking communion to shut-ins, and anointing with oil the sick.
“6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” || Philippians 4:6-7
Wendi Olli – Director of Children’s Ministries
Wendi has always been called to work with children. She began at the age of 12 babysitting children from her church community and her neighborhood. She went on to earn a BA in English with a teacher certification from Emory & Henry College. After college she worked with children at the Weinstein JCC in Richmond, VA and then at the FUMC Child Development Center (formerly Noah’s Ark Preschool). Currently, she works at FUMC in the children’s ministry and as the nursery coordinator. Also, she has served on the board for the FUMC Child Development Center.
Wendi was raised in the Fishersville United Methodist Church. She was baptized, attended throughout her childhood and youth, and was married here. She lived for several years away from Fishersville, but was excited to return to the area with her husband, Scott and son, Cole. She is thrilled to now be able to raise Cole at Fishersville UMC and watch him grow in faith as she did in her youth. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and learning how to complete small home improvement projects. Some of her favorite things are Harry Potter, Disney World, and the beach. If you do not know Wendi, please reach out because she would love to meet you.
“3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.” || Psalm 127:3
Stella Kayenga – Director of Youth Ministries
Stella Kayenga Mbangu is originally from DR Congo, but she has lived in South Africa for 15 years with a permanent residence. Stella accepted Jesus Christ by the grace of God through her conviction and become a born-again Christian at the age of 14 years old. Stella served the Lord as missionary in more than 5 countries in Africa, in local churches as leader of evangelism, intercession ministries, preacher, coordinator of various ministries, such as compassion/social ministry, music ministry, events planning and church service moderators.
Stella holds a PhD in theology, science of religion, and missiology from the University of Pretoria South Africa. Her main research interests center around how to accommodate disabled persons with a focus on the hearing-impaired people in the church and society.
She believes that for an effective mission as instructed by our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18-19 the Church has to include everybody without any exception, through discipleship as well as a long-term teaching program.
Now Stella is busy, not only with being the FUMC Youth Director, with completing her master’s degree in conflict transformation and certificate in restorative justice at Eastern Mennonite University.
“2 Fix your eyes on Jesus” || Hebrews 12:2
Tyler Hendricks – Office Administrator
Tyler is a born and raised member of the Augusta County community with many years spent going to school, working, and volunteering in numerous organizations between Harrisonburg and Waynesboro. In 2015, Tyler graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Religious Studies and a desire to work in ministry in some capacity. After working in banking and administration since graduation, Tyler has been excited to use his passion and education for ministry with his experience of administration for the benefit of all FUMC members and the neighboring communities for the past 5 years.
“26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” || Matthew 6:26
Robyn Brunk – Noah’s Ark Learning Center Director
Robyn grew up in Nelson County before venturing to college. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from James Madison University. In 2005, she had the opportunity to return to James Madison University to earn a Master’s in Arts in Early Childhood Education licensed to teach Preschool through 3rd grade. She taught preschool for 11 years for Augusta County Schools and the Head Start program. Robyn welcomes the opportunity to share her love for teaching with children and families in her ministry role as Director of the Noah’s Ark Learning Center.
“5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.” || Proverbs 3:5
Lydia Hadley – Treasurer
Lydia Hadley has been a member of Fishersville United Methodist church since 1998. She is a life-long Methodist. She has been active as a treasurer, choir member, bell-ringer, member of trustees, member of SPRC and as a teacher. Lydia recently retired as Controller of Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. She is looking forward to being able to travel soon. Retirement will give her time to work in her yard and to do more knitting and cross-stitch. She is happy to have returned to the finance office as the role of treasurer.
Dr. Eloise Kornicke – Music Director & Pianist
Eloise has built a lifetime career in music — as a teacher, college professor, and music director. She holds a doctorate in music from Indiana University and has a passion to worship God & reach people through music. Eloise loves reading, studying, travel, interior decorating, oil painting — basically anything that involves creativity!
Jane Ott – Faith Community Nurse
Jane graduated from Duke University School of Nursing, prior to moving to St. Petersburg, Florida where she practiced nursing until she and her family moved to Virginia in 1994. Her special interested include home health, oncology, rehabilitative and skilled nursing, as well as nursing through the life span.
While being an active member at FUMC and leading the Faith Community Nurse ministry, Jane, along with her husband Greg, live now in Fishersville where they have raised 6 children and numerous dogs, cats, and horses.
Tim Baker – Ministry Lay Leader
I’m fortunate enough to have grown up with Fishersville UMC as my church home. I was baptized as an infant, completed confirmation class as a pre-teen, got married here, and had the privilege of serving as Youth Pastor here for 5 years. As one of three Lay Leaders for 2020, I pray that I represent our laity (church members) to our Pastor (Peter), voicing praises and challenges. I also hope to assist Peter in every way possible in furthering his vision for FUMC’s ministry “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
I’m currently an active participant in the Embrace Service, Praise Team, and am FUMC’s unofficial Athletic Director – we have a softball and soccer team.
Ann Frisbie – Ministry Lay Leader
Ann and Dan Frisbie have been members of FUMC since their relocation from Wilmington, DE to Waynesboro in 1995. Their two sons, Jimmy and Jack, grew up in the church (baptism, confirmation, youth group, and choir) and our now young adults, living in Baltimore, MD. Through the years Ann has served as a member of the Choir, Worship Committee, Staff Parish Relations (Chair), Administrative Council, and currently as a Lay Leader. Ann is employed by The LYCRA Company as a Director of IT Global Application Services. Ann and Dan are avid Penn State fans and enjoy travelling back to State College to enjoy Lion Football and the Penn State Marching Blue Band. Ann is passionate about music in the church and its outreach to bring people closer to Christ. She enjoys singing with her choir family, and once in a while she has the opportunity to direct the Sunday anthem.
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” || Psalm 95:1
Joe Zapotoczny – Ministry Lay Leader
Joe and Anna Zapotoczny have been members of Fishersville United Methodist Church since 1975. They have 3 children and 6 Grandchildren.
Joe is retired after working for 33 years in the Augusta County School System as Science Teacher, Coach (football, track, & baseball), Principal, Supervisor for Science, Math, & PE, and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction.
Joe grew up in Altoona, Pa. and graduated from Altoona High School, Catawba College in NC (where he met Anna ) and UVA, where he has two graduate degrees. Two of his children (Susan & Stephen) graduated from Duke University and one (Andrew) graduated from William & Mary.
Joe enjoys gardening, golf, trout fishing, College sports, and especially being with his Family.
At Fishersville United Methodist Church he has served on Church Council, SPRC, Trustees, Sunday School Secretary (since 1992), and currently as Lay Leader. For five years Joe was Co-chairman of Lord’s Acre Days, along with Rob Cale. Joe also enjoys being part of the FUMC Men’s Group and appreciates their motto of “helping people grow in Christ so others may know Christ”.
“16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” || John 3:16