Our Team:

Pastor Larry

Pastor Larry Lawman

Rev. Larry Lawman and his wife, Doreen, came to Dexter in July, 2019. They have three grown and married children and three grandsons. He has over twenty years of pastoral experience and served his previous church for over fifteen years. He is second career, going from helping to design missiles at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis to being called into ministry by the strong leading of the Holy Spirit. He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY.

Rev. Larry has a passion for others to enter into a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His objective is to clearly present God’s Word and to live it out in ministry. He believes in laity lead ministry in that each and every person has God given gifts and abilities that are to be used as God’s ambassadors to reach out and impact those around us.

Kristi Williams

Kristi Williams, Administrative Assistant

Kristi is the one who keeps our systems running smoothly. She has been with us for over 30 years and we are blessed to have her. Kristi is a hometown girl, and lives in Dexter with her husband.

Mary Ruth Boone

Mary Ruth Boone, Director of Music

Morning Grace & Traditions Services

Mary Ruth is our music director for the Morning Grace and Traditions services. She leads the Chancel Choir in weekly anthems and special performances throughout the year. Mary Ruth is able to bless our Traditions service with weekly Special Music performances by church members and her local music students.

David Clark

David Clark, Director of Contemporary Music

Crossover Service

Born into a God loving, Christian, musical family, right here in Dexter, Mo., David has a long background in music. His journey began at the early age of eight years old when his mother began showing him chords on the guitar. She would sing old hymns while doing her cooking and cleaning as he strummed his guitar following her from room to room. At the age of nine, he found himself standing on the platform with his mom, dad, brother and sister playing bass guitar and seeing for the first time what worship through music was all about. David gave his heart to Jesus during those early years and committed the talent God gave him to always try to glorify His name. David believes God loves us all as He demonstrated this love by giving his only Son, Jesus to die for our sins, that we might have eternal life. We have absolutely nothing that can repay this loving kindness. However, what we can all offer that pleases Him the most is our praise and worship.

What we believe:

Dexter First United Methodist Church is part of The United Methodist Church which is a global denomination that opens hearts, opens minds and opens doors through active engagement with our world. The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.

John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as “practical divinity” has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today.