Rev. Laura R. Rasor
Pastor – pastor@broadwayumc.net
Laura grew up in Emory, Virginia. Her father, Gene, is a retired history professor at Emory & Henry College. Her mother, Claire, is her first mentor for church leadership – she was part of the founding of Emory Service Project, a home repair ministry serving low-income families in Southwest Virginia.
Laura’s educational background includes degrees from Bowdoin College in Maine (including a Junior Year Abroad in Freiburg, Germany), and Candler School of Theology in Atlanta (including a four month program at The Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies at Bossey, Switzerland). She also completed a year-long chaplaincy internship working with people with HIV/AIDS at Grady Health System in Atlanta.
She and her husband, David Schoeni, met in seminary and have been close friends for more than 20 years. They were married in 2009 at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. David is a professional cellist, editor, grant writer, and teacher. He is a graduate of Kansas University (Go Jayhawks!), Candler School of Theology, and Wake Forest University. They enjoy weekly hikes in the mountains with their dog, Sadie, and attending Lady Vols basketball, volleyball, and softball games.
Laura began her ministry as an associate pastor at Church Street UMC in Knoxville and has also served Virginia Avenue UMC in Bristol, Piney Flats UMC, and Colonial Heights UMC in Knoxville.
Alan Eleazer
Director of Music – music@broadwayumc.net
A native of Michigan, Alan Eleazer moved to East Tennessee in 1981 following a five year tour in the United States Air Force. He attended UTK where he was an undergraduate student in Music Education and also earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting and Sacred Music.
Before assuming his current duties as Assistant Professor of Music at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, he was the Director of Music Ministries at Concord United Methodist Church in Knoxville for over 18 years; a flourishing musical program that featured thirteen different performing ensembles. He has chaired district and conference level Worship Work Areas, served in Annual Conference and Conference youth musical leadership positions, and choirs under his direction have toured the U.S. and Canada and have been featured at Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. He is a past and current officer of the American Choral Directors Association, and holds membership with the MENC, The Fellowship, AGHER, and The Order of St. Luke.
He presently serves as the director of the Maryville College Community Chorale; a fifty member all volunteer community chorus that presents two major concerts per year with the Orchestra at Maryville College. He has served on the adjunct music faculties of Roane State and Pellissippi State Community Colleges, and in addition to college teaching he has served as interim Director of Music at Church Street United Methodist Church in downtown Knoxville and First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge.
Along with Knoxville jazz pianist Wendel Werner, he has six professional recordings in release featuring eclectic vocal/piano arrangements. He is married to Vicki Tull Eleazer and the two have four adult children and enjoy hiking, biking, boating, golf, white-water rafting, dancing, and photography. Alan is also a proud Harley Davidson owner!
Jennifer McIntyre
Director of Children’s Ministries – children@broadwayumc.net
Jennifer grew up in West Tennessee. Her father was a Methodist Minister which caused them to move from time to time. She attended and graduated from Lambuth University, a United Methodist College, in 1992 when she and her husband Nate moved to Maryville.
The McIntyres have been members at Broadway since the fall of 1992. Jennifer and Nate have two children, Emily and Noah whom she currently home-schools. Both children participate in the youth program at Broadway. Jennifer has participated in many capacities at Broadway since joining the church. She has played piano for children’s choir, sang in adult choirs, played in handbell choirs, served in UMW, taught children and adult Sunday School, led Bible studies, and served on many committees.
While homeschooling her children, Jennifer has taught art classes and volunteered as a leader with American Heritage Girls. Her hobbies encompass many crafts, arts, reading, hiking, running, and gardening.
Jim Gass
Director of Youth Ministries – youth@broadwayumc.net
Jim is a lifelong East Tennessean. He grew up in Knoxville, where he currently lives with his wife Megan, and daughter Erin. He spent five years as a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church, serving churches in Maynardville and Greeneville, Tennessee. During this time, he developed an understanding of, and passion for, the ministry of lay people in the church, and felt God nudging him that direction.
He joined the staff of Camp Wesley Woods in 2007, serving in a number of capacities there. In 2013, Jim’s calling took another turn when he joined the staff of Broadway as Director of Youth Ministries. The youth at Broadway often recognize him as “the guy with the bowtie,” as he is often seen wearing this distinct apparel. Some of Jim’s hobbies include hiking, camping, and grilling out.
Laura Kolarik
Director of Parent’s Day Out Enrichment Program – pdo@broadwayumc.net
Laura is the Director, of Broadway’s Parent’s Day Out Enrichment Program. As the Program Director, Laura’s goal has been to make her mark on an already excellent program. Laura has completely computerized student data and program administrative records. Parents are kept in the loop via information found under the PDO portion of Broadway’s website.
Laura is married to Tim and together they have a lovely daughter, Abbey. She is a graduate from Roane State Community College. She started with PDO as a 2-year-old Teacher in March 2004, and was named Director in November 2005. Laura is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Tami Wiggins
Administrative Assistant – office@broadwayumc.net
Karen Harville
Financial Secretary/Organist – financial@broadwayumc.net
Cheryl Dow
CrossTies Praise Band
Dennis Dow
CrossTies Praise Band
Wendel Werner
CrossTies Praise Band
Linda McCausland
Nursery
Jaeda Buchanan
Nursery
Alex Rios
Broadway Kids Assistant