Rev. John Boley

Senior Pastor

John Boley was appointed to Kalamazoo First on July 1, 2010. John is a graduate of Albion College, Case Western Reserve University School of Law and Duke University Divinity School. Before coming to Kalamazoo, John served as Senior Pastor at Mt. Pleasant FUMC, Lansing Central and Mancelona/Alba United Methodist Churches. John has given leadership to the West Michigan Conference through his current service on the Board of Ordained Ministry and formerly as chairperson of the Board of Church and Society, and as a member of the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry. John and his wife, Diane, have three children: Robert, Ian and Hannah. Click here to send an e-mail

Rev. Julie Kline

Pastor of Youth Ministries

Julie’s responsibilities include the leadership of our creative/emerging worship and the direction of our programs of youth ministries. She has come full circle with her return to First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, as she grew up in this church, graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, and received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in psychology. She later went on to obtain her full ordination in the United Church of Christ. She is excited about the ministry opportunities here at FUMC and believes that her position will allow her to pursue her passion for creative ministry that calls all participants to engage in an ongoing relationship with our Creator and to be the hands and feet of Christ. Click here to send an e-mail

Rev. Shelly Wisdom-Long

Pastor of Children & Family Ministries

Shelly Wisdom-Long returned to Kalamazoo First on July 1, 2010. She served as our Associate Pastor for Membership and Evangelism in the late 1990s. She now has the position of Pastor of Children and Families Ministries. Shelly received her BA in music therapy from Western Michigan University. She continued her education, earning an M.Ed. in Special Education from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, and then a M.Div. from Candler School of Theology, Emory University in 1995. Shelly and her husband, Richard, have two children: Megan and Michael. Click here to send an e-mail

Jacqueline Stilger

Minister of Music

A native of Southern Indiana, Jacqueline has been involved in church music since high school. She was active as a cantor and organist at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in her hometown of Lanesville. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from the University of Louisville, where she studied with Melvin Dickenson, and a Master of Music degree in Organ and Church Music from Indiana University, studying with Dr. Marilyn Keiser. She has served congregations in Kentucky, Indiana, New York and Michigan. Most recently, she was the organist/choir director at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek, MI., from 1999-2009. She has been the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church since the summer of 2009. Jacqueline resides in Kalamazoo with her husband, Eric Strand, and their children Carsten, Drew and Avery. Click here to send an e-mail

Ruth LaMAchia

Church Business Administrator

Ruth LaMachia came to Kalamazoo First in September 2012 from Perrow Church in Cross Lanes, West Virginia where she also served as their Church Business Administrator. Before that she spent 25 years as an administrator and manager in the insurance industry in Connecticut and West Virginia. She is originally from the Chicago area and her father, a former minister, is from Port Huron so she spent much time growing up visiting family in Michigan. Ruth lives in Kalamazoo with her husband Bill and daughter Elizabeth. She also has a son, Justin who lives in Minneapolis. Click here to send an e-mail

Contact the office | United Methodism