Meet the Methodist Temple Team

Lead Pastor

Andy Payton

My hunch is that this might not be the bio you are expecting. I won’t tell you what my favorite color is or that my favorite thing is grilling. Ok, I admit it: I like blue, and I own a Weber grill. But I want you to know I get it. Christianity is a hard sell for much of our world today, yet I remain convinced that the most powerful force in this universe is the love of God made known to us through Jesus.

You see, I’m proud to be a third-generation United Methodist. My grandfather, father, and brother are all ordained ministers. However, growing up in the church did take its toll. As a pastor’s kid, I saw firsthand how harmful Christianity and religion can be. As a result, I was a reluctant convert to the faith and pastoral ministry. In fact, after being gone from my hometown of Loogootee, IN, for more than twenty years, I once returned to show my spouse the ‘old stomping grounds’ of my youth. On a whim, we crossed paths with my former third-grade teacher, and upon learning I’d become a pastor, her response was, “Really!?!” The reality is I’m just as shocked as she was, although part of me is afraid to say it out loud for fear of what people will think of me.

In any case, if any of this sounds appealing, I may be the pastor for you, and we might be the congregation for you. I believe my mission and calling is to walk with those who are disillusioned, questioning, but searching when it comes to their faith journey. As lead pastor of Methodist Temple, I want to create a safe, nonjudgmental community where people can experience firsthand Christ-love by connecting with a congregation that authentically cares for them and the world.

Associate Pastor

Randy Moore

Randy Moore is best known in the Tri-State for his 44-year career in television news. You can see him every weeknight at 5, 6, and 10 on 14 News WFIE. But in addition to bringing the “bad news” Monday through Friday, Randy has brought the “Good News” every Sunday morning for 12 years, first at Baker Chapel United Methodist Church, then at Methodist Temple.

Randy entered the ministry in 2012. After subbing in the pulpit for 10 weeks at Holland UMC and Zoar UMC in Spencer County, Randy accepted an appointment to Baker Chapel six miles east of Boonville on State Road 62. You might remember Baker Chapel as the Church building blown down in the November 6, 2005 tornado.

At first, Randy led Baker Chapel as a lay person in what is called pulpit supply. He earned his License to Preach in 2015 and is now enrolled in the Course of Study and takes most of his classes in connection with the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Under Randy’s servant leadership, Baker Chapel retired the building debt, installed a solar array and community garden, and put the congregation on an incremental path toward giving away more of the offering than it keeps.

Randy has a casual, conversational style of preaching/teaching that without exception has its basis in a biblical text, but always with an application for today.

Randy’s entrance into the ministry was sponsored by Aldersgate United Methodist Church where he taught adult Sunday School for 25 years. Randy was the chairman of the Church Council for 16 years, led the development of a long-range strategic plan, and helped raise money and facilitate a multi-million dollar building program.

Randy has been active in Tres Dias and Chrysalis and was lay director of a Chrysalis weekend in 2010.

Randy was born and raised in Evansville and is a graduate of Harrison High School and Ball State University. He is a member of the Indiana Associated Press Broadcasting Hall of Fame and winner of multiple Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards for his reporting.

Randy and his first wife, Ann, founded Cancer Pathways Midwest (formerly Gilda’s Club) in the midst of Ann’s cancer journey. Ann died in 2019.

Randy enjoys golf, photography, reading, spoiling grandchildren, and travel.

Randy and his wife, Lisa, got married at Baker Chapel in 2014 and Lisa is an active partner in ministry with Randy. They have six children between them. Randy has two daughters and a son. Erin and her husband Ken live in Los Angeles. Meredith, her husband Matt, and grandsons Walter and Calvin live in Vienna, VA. Andrew lives in Evansville.

Lisa has two sons and a daughter. Patrick and his wife, Daria, live at Scott Air Force base in southern Illinois near St. Louis. They have our grandchildren, Emma and Jacob. Jon and his wife, Kellie, live in Evansville and have Jackson and Nathan. Anna and her husband, Alex, live in Nashville and have Lee. Randy and Lisa are empty nesters except for Mia, the dog.

Ministry Team

Director of Children’s Ministries

Maggie Harding

Director of Adult Discipleship

Cassandra Brusie

Director of Youth Ministries

Ryan Buxton

Connections Coordinator

Lindsey Patterson

Music Ministry Team

Directors of Traditional Music

David and Kara Baker

Director of Contemporary Music

Amanda Batts

Organist

Barbara Waite

Administrative Staff

Director of Operations

Andrea Wallace

Director of Communications & Production

Maggie Selby

Finance Manager

Alicia Boston

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Farthing

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