Staff

Andrea has loved God and followed Christ most of her life. She was raised mainly in Wabash, IN with a few years living in MN. She graduated from Wabash High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology from Valparaiso University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. 

Andrea is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She has pastored several churches in Indiana with many of them being rural churches.  

Andrea is married to Chris Lantz, also an ordained elder in the UMC. Together they live in Huntington, IN and have three children, Madeleine , Isaac , and Nathaniel. 

Andrea loves spending time with her family. She is often found having adventures or reading books with her children. She also enjoys board games, jigsaw puzzles, and hiking. 

Rita Slater plays the organ and keyboard for worship services, funerals and special occasions.  The congregation is blessed when she uses her talent and her heart to bring the organ to life.

North Manchester United Methodist Church Administrative Assistant Rita J. Slater attended and graduated from Upper Wabash Vocation School, now Heartland Career Center, for business and from Manchester High School in 1971.  She worked in a local medicinal clinic for 17 years, in the business office.  In 2000 she began working for a local attorney as his legal assistant.  She worked with him for 25 years.  Rita says, "Then God brought me here.  Starting over again.  But, God knew what and where he wanted me to be, and I am so very thankful."  Rita has thre wonderful grown sons, ten grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and five step-great grandchildren.  Rita continues, saying, "My passion, my ministry, is music.  I play the piano, keyboard, and organ.  I have played the piano since I was in third grade.  I know that God gave me my talent and he only asked that I give back, to pay it forward, that is my ministry."

Laura graduated from Whitko High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. She recentl;y retired as the Head Teller at Beacon Credit Union. She has 3 sons and 4 granddaughters. She enjoyes reading as a hobby.