Meet the Staff

Rev. Mike Will, Campus Minister, Director

Hey Everyone! I am beginning my ninth year as the director of Wesley and it has been the absolute best years of my life. My passion for campus ministry comes from a deep sense that college years are key to developing an authentic God connection that will guide and bless your entire life.

I always sign my letters "In Christ, Rev. Mike" because of the verses from Colossians 2:6-7: "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving," as well as 2 Corinthians 5:17: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"

My wife, Julia and I met while attending seminary together in Denver, Colorado. We have been married for eighteen years. Julia serves as associate pastor at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Columbia. We have a ten year old son, John Michael. I love to sing, play guitar, write music, worship, pray, talk about God, lead mission trips, take walks with my wife and play catch with my son.

Have a great college experience and make time for God in your daily lives. Call me anytime if you need anything: 573-268-5901.

Dora Thackery, Administrative Secretary

Hi! I am starting my seventh year as the Administrative Secretary of Wesley. My husband, Greg, and I were married twenty years ago. We have a fourteen-year old daughter, Kristen, who was baptized at Missouri United Methodist Church and attends 8th grade at Oakland Junior High School. Our family is very active in Missouri UMC.

I also serve as a Mentor for the Mothers of Preschoolers Group (MOPS) that meets at MUMC, they are always looking for childcare workers (if any college students are interested). Drop by the Wesley office and say, "Hi." I usually work in the mornings and would love to meet you! My favorite Bible verse is Joshua 24:15: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Rachel Bryan, Peer Minister

Hey Everyone!  As a native of Garland, Texas, my first great adventure was going to college in a different state. At the University of Missouri in Columbia, I am currently a Senior studying Communication and Sociology. I am actively involved in Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, STRIPES, and was most recently initiated into the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society. Though not in the great state of Texas, Columbia, Missouri has become a fantastic second home.
 
I have been a member of the Wesley Foundation since my freshman year (the free Sunday Supper reeled me in). Over the three years I have been involved in all the weekly events, my favorite: visiting Lenoir Retirement Community and participating in the Spring Break 2006 mission trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Wesley has truly blessed my life and I am incredibly thankful for my experiences. I look forward to meeting you this fall.

Jamey Richards, Peer Minister

Rachel Kenny, Peer Minister

Hi All, I am a senior at the University of Missouri studying Magazine Journalism and Political Science. I live in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a Northwest suburb of Chicago. This is my second semester serving as a Peer Minister and I am so excited for the opportunity to help our Ministry grow even more. On campus, I am also involved in my sorority and the Alumni Association Student Board.

Chris Barcroft, Peer Minister

Hello - I'm also a senior at Mizzou, studying English. I'm from St. Peters, Missouri (just outside of St. Louis). This is my first semester as a peer minister, but I've been around Wesley for about three years now, having done missions in Appalachia and Brazil. I love music (was once a music major), so you'll most often find me playing bass with the Struggling Buckets.

Other hobbies include cooking, Hawaiian jujitsu, paintball, and reading.