Connectional and Diversity, Missions, and Justice Team
Larry Whitehead serves as Executive Assistant to the Bishop & Director of Connectional Ministries. Prior to taking this position, he served six years as Conference Superintendent assigned to the North District and has also served for two years as Dean of the Appointive Cabinet. Bringing a strong emphasis on missional strategy, Larry offers a consistent message to churches and pastors to abandon survival efforts for the church and to instead, discover vitality in a focus on giving ourselves away to connect people to the message of Jesus Christ (Mark 8:35). While energized for ministry as a Conference leader, Larry loves to recharge by traveling and kayaking with his wife Susan and sharing family activities with the families of their 5 adult children including 2 grandsons.
Roscel S. Carandang serves as Conference Assistant for the Annual Conference in the Administration and Financial Ministries Team. She brings with her more than 30 years of administrative experience, in addition to many years in event coordination, media coordination, Web development and design, graphic design, fund development, community organizing and ministry outreach. Always interested in making this world a better place for the growth of God’s kingdom, she volunteers and supports many local not-for-profits from women/family/homeless shelters, feeding the hungry, environmental concerns to animal rescue.
Born in the Philippines and a lifelong Hoosier, Roscel comes from a very large, close-knit Filipino family. She says she attributes her deep love for the Lord from being taught to lead a prayerful life by her grandmother and mother. She is aware that all her talents are God-given and is excited to apply them to promote ministry at the Indiana Conference in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She lives daily by this Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Born in the Philippines and a lifelong Hoosier, Roscel comes from a very large, close-knit Filipino family. She says she attributes her deep love for the Lord from being taught to lead a prayerful life by her grandmother and mother. She is aware that all her talents are God-given and is excited to apply them to promote ministry at the Indiana Conference in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She lives daily by this Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Annettra is an ordained elder who has a key role in leading in partnership with the Conference Task Force for Dismantling Racism and the Conference Commission on Race and Ethnicity, as well as guiding the response to the motion passed at the 2020 Annual Conference to develop a strategic plan that demonstrates our commitment to anti-racism and to actively dismantling systemic institutional racism in the INUMC.
Annettra leads the Conference’s inclusion, diversity equity and anti-racism efforts and is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), a tool being utilized to equip leaders to develop their intercultural competency.
Since 2019, Annettra has served as Associate Pastor at West Lafayette St. Andrew UMC. When she’s not reading or listening to a book, she enjoys spending time with her children playing board games, and religiously observing Taco Tuesday. She is also the proud nana of her first grandson, Isaiah.
Paul Wagner, although raised a United Methodist, first became keenly aware of God’s presence in his life while a teenager on a “Work Camp” trip to the backwoods of Kentucky during which he participated in building a log home for a young widowed mother and her baby. In working with and helping this family, who couldn’t help themselves, he experienced God’s presence in a truly tangible way and from that moment knew that the purpose God had for his life was to be in ministry beside others, serving others. Paul, an experienced pastor, has served twenty-seven years in Indiana Methodism in various capacities including, serving on the Board of Ordained Ministry and various District Committees for 16 years, as the lead planner of the Worship Service for Commissioning and Ordination at Annual Conference, and as a District Youth Director. Along with his current position as the Assistant to the Director of Connectional Ministries for the Conference, Paul serves as the pastor of Edgewood UMC in Indianapolis bringing together the unique experience of local church ministry and institutional ministry. He was ordained a Deacon in 1991 and Elder in 1993. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Church History, giving him valued insight and interest in collaborating with our Conference Commission on Archives and History, along with a Masters of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. His experience, training, and personality have provided him with tremendous skills for managing details and diverse tasks, making him a meaningful part of our Conference staff. He believes that, “We are much more powerful as the people of God when we unite our resources, knowledge, and passion in ministry together.” He’s excited about being a member of our Indiana Conference Connectional Ministries Team. As a self-described baseball fanatic, Paul participates in a Fantasy Baseball League, plays softball, has coached many youth and adult softball teams, enjoys attending Indianapolis Indians games — and of course roots for the Major League Angels, “as any good Christian should”. He’s currently writing an interactive book which tests how well the reader would succeed as a baseball manager. When he’s not involved following baseball, he’s found with his wife watching movies, hiking trails and cooking – creating many of his own recipes.
Rev. Jen Huff is an ordained deacon who has served in different areas as youth minister, director of children’s ministries including after school programs, childcares and preschools, and in the role of associate pastor through the years. She is also working on her certification as a ministry coach. Jen is excited to serve at the conference and district levels because she believes the connection is important, especially for local churches. Jen’s immediate family includes her husband John who is an ordained elder, their three beautiful children, and their goldendoodle puppy. When Jen is not equipping disciples to serve others through Jesus’ love, she is keeping up with her kids, trying new restaurants, and watching movies. From time to time she enjoys getting to camp and travel to the beach.
Tosh Everson is the Administrative Assistant for Diversity, Missions, & Justice Ministries. After spending over 15 years working in Higher Education, Tosh is excited to be a part of the INUMC. She has dedicated herself to justice and equity work in her hometown of Greencastle, where she serves on the executive team of the NAACP as well as other community organizations that are focused on cultural development and equity.
Tosh is a part of the leadership board at her church, Gobin United Methodist, and loves singing with the worship team. Her passion for anti-racism education has led her to organizing work with local community organizations, churches, and elementary schools with the ongoing goal of helping others realize our shared humanity and connectedness. In addition to her extensive work in education, she also works with the unhoused population in Greencastle and is an advocate for the disabled through her work with Putnam County Comprehensive Services. Tosh is passionate about social activism, community service, and building relationships.
Tosh holds a BA in Communications from DePauw University
Tosh is a part of the leadership board at her church, Gobin United Methodist, and loves singing with the worship team. Her passion for anti-racism education has led her to organizing work with local community organizations, churches, and elementary schools with the ongoing goal of helping others realize our shared humanity and connectedness. In addition to her extensive work in education, she also works with the unhoused population in Greencastle and is an advocate for the disabled through her work with Putnam County Comprehensive Services. Tosh is passionate about social activism, community service, and building relationships.
Tosh holds a BA in Communications from DePauw University