Meet Our Church’s Leadership Team
Melvin Nead, senior pastor
Pastor Melvin Nead answered God’s call to serve as a pastor more than 37 years ago. Since then, he has lead six Free Methodist churches in Ind. and Ill.
Pastor Mel has been an active participant in the life of the church beyond the local congregations he has pastored for nearly four decades. In Bloomington, Pastor Mel has come to appreciate the community, particularly Indiana University basketball.
“Having served in the Bloomington Free Methodist Church the last seven years, I have come to appreciate this community and the I.U. family very much” Pastor Mel said. “IU basketball really gets my attention.”
Pastor Mel earned a Bachelor of Arts at Greenville College, majoring in philosophy of religion and minoring in Greek. He then earned a Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary.
Pastor Mel desires to share God’s love with others.
“My great love is to engage members of the church I serve as well as friends in the community in order that together we can experience God’s grace and power,” he said.
Pastor Mel and his wife Jan were married 38 years ago. She is also a Greenville graduate, having studied education. They have two daughters, who serve the Lord as a stay-at-home mom and as a psychotherapist. Both live in Ill.
Lee and Sara Busick, youth directors
Lee and Sara met their freshman year at Asbury College. After transferring to Morehead State University, they worked for three years as part of various college and church ministry teams. Following college, Lee and Sara worked for two years as youth directors at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio. Since August 2007, they have served as youth directors for the Bloomington Free Methodist Church.
Outside of the church, Sara serves as an associate director at Indiana University’s Career Development Center and has worked for various arts organizations. She received a Master of Arts in cultural policy and arts administration from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts in visual art with a concentration in photography and a minor in business administration from Morehead State University.
Lee is currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking at Indiana University. Lee taught graphic design at Columbus College of Art & Design and is currently teaching art at I.U. For the past nine years, Lee has worked as a freelance graphic designer and commissioned portrait artist. Lee received a Bachelor of Arts in visual art with a concentration in graphic design from Morehead State University.
Mary Pence, Administrative Secretary
Mary Pence serves as one of the church's administrative secretaries. Mary and her husband, Dennis, play very active roles in the life of the church. Mary sings in the sanctuary choir and teaches the 1st and 2nd grade Sunday school class. Mary has also served on the fellowship committee and as a Vacation Bible School volunteer. Dennis also serves in a wide variety of roles. Like Mary, he also teaches a Sunday school class. He has been VBS director and discipleship director.
Robin Prichard, Administrative Secretary
Robin Prichard also serves as an administrative secretary. Robin, who joined the office staff in 2006, has been a member of the church with her husband Brad since 1986. Robin and Brad have three daughters, Vanessa, Miranda and Kayla. Brad is the Bible Quiz Director and serves on the church’s Administrative Team and Ministry Team. Robin is actively involved in Women’s Ministries International, as a nursery volunteer and has served on Fellowship Committee and VBS staff.
