About Us
Meet the Staff
 | Senior Minister Scott Sutherland is the Senior Minister of Forum. As Senior Minister, Scott is the primary preaching/teaching minister on the staff – he sets the tone, the vision, and is to set the pace for the ministry. Scott has served in ministry since 1985 and that service has taken him all over the world leading, teaching, and helping to equip other church leaders in ministry. He’s written for various church magazines and newspapers. In his down time you might find him on a tennis court, golfing, playing chess, kicking a soccer ball with some of his kids, or reading. His wife, Melody, and their five children strive to live for God daily. Both Scott and Melody are graduates of Johnson University with B.A.’s, a B.S., and M.A.s. Melody currently teaches grade 8 at Jefferson Junior High school. As a family, they strive to integrate faith and living for God daily. |
 | Executive Minister Bradley is the acting office administrator, and tends to the business side of the church body while managing the daily operational elements. He oversees the discipleship ministry, graphic and video arts department, in addition to being a member of the preaching team. Bradley's overall goal is to teach and live the way of Jesus, by the proclamation of His word through faith, fellowship and service. His passion to edify and encourage the church of Jesus Christ drives his desire to preach and make disciples. Bradley is married to his wife and best friend Kate and they have a son named Rowan. He enjoys spending time with his family, music, playing guitar, writing, reading, and all things technological. |
 | Sr. High Youth Director Justin can easily be found at any coffee shop around Columbia, if he is ever lost, this is where people start looking. It takes a lot of caffeine to keep up with high schoolers, but Justin gets just enough to help him succeed. He has many areas of involvement around FCC including: youth, children, speaking and worship. Justin graduated from Ozark Christian College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Biblical Literature degree. In his free time he likes to chase his yorkie, Rolley, around the neighborhood, make photoshopped pictures of other staff members in funny situations and hang out with his wife, Jenn. He considers his relationship with Christ the number one priority and wants to tell others of the peace in Jesus that he has found. |
 | Jr. High Youth Director Jody loves energy. He loves being around energy, and what better place to be for energy than in junior high youth. The 6th-8th grade students hold a special love in Jody’s heart, because their faith shows us all what our faith should be like, seeking God with the heart of a child. Jody teaches Sunday school, runs Pulse night on Sunday night, and helps with the Tuesday night men’s basketball group. He has been at Forum since 2005. He has degrees from Western Kentucky University and Virginia Tech as well as graduate experience at Mizzou and Central Christian College of the Bible. He has an incredible wife Kara and the most beautiful baby girl in the whole world (Ruthie). Jody is unbelievably blessed with his family and with the charge of being here at Forum with these awesome youth. |
 | Katelyn Morris Children's Director Katelyn is energetic and loves to have fun! She attended Central Christian College of the Bible and graduated in May of 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Eduction. During her time at CCCB, she met her wonderful husband Tyler and married in September of 2007. She became the Children's Director at Forum in 2008 and enjoys using her creativity for kids. Nobody makes her laugh more than Tyler and their son Liam. If you want to make her day, bring her coffee! |
 | Jessie Spellman Nursery/Preschool Director Jessie is a "take each day as it comes" kind of gal and has enjoyed the variety of paths God has taken her down thus far. She grew up in a small rural congregation in Illinois where her father was the minister and she quickly learned from the examples of the people around her that serving the church with your gifts is both a joy and a blessing. Jessie moved to Columbia with her parents in 1990 and quickly became active serving in Forum's children's ministry in a variety of capacities. Forum is where she met her husband Steven, a rare lifetime Columbia resident and they are parents of four children: Isaiah, Huston, Avery, and Lillie. Jessie graduated from the University of Missouri with a major in Elementary Education and just a few credits shy of an additional major of Early Childhood Education. She is our Nursery/Preschool Director and absolutely loves the creative process of coming up with new ways to help parents become the spiritual leaders of their family. |
 | Worship Minister/Creative Director Tyler is an easy-going guy who loves to see people come to know Jesus. He is very passionate about worshiping God and seeing others doing the same. He graduated from Central Christian College of the Bible in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Ministry. From 2005-2008 he had the opportunity to serve as Music and Youth Minister at a church plant. This experience gave him the drive and the motivation to serve God with his life while using his musical abilities. Tyler married his wife, Katelyn, in 2007 and enjoys serving the Lord with her. He and Katelyn are the proud parents of son, Liam. Some of Tyler's hobbies include going to concerts, playing tennis, and being involved in his men’s Bible study. |
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Worship Minister/Director of Productions Tarry, who joined the Forum staff in September of 2009, has taught Worship Leading at Central Christian College for nearly 40 years and has directed many worship productions. He served previously as Worship Minister on the Forum staff from 1971 to 1997 and then with Blue Ridge Christian Church until 2005. Tarry is a voice teacher, elementary school music teacher, guitar instructor and avid learner. He has earned degrees from two Michigan schools, Alma College (BA) and Central Michigan University (MM), and one from the University of Missouri (PhD). His wife, Poppy, is an accomplished keyboardist and teaches Private Piano at Central Christian College of the Bible. Tarry and Poppy have 2 children and 3 grandchildren who affectionately call him Papa. He enjoys spending time with his family and directing the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. |
 | Melanie Abernathy Financial Secretary Melanie is the financial secretary at Forum. That means she pays the bills and keep all the accounts in balance. She married Jim Abernathy in 1996, moved to Columbia and has been at the church ever since. She and Jim have four grown sons and two grandchildren. Melanie loves camping, family reunions, and fishing with her husband. |
 | Carolyn Howell Office Assistant
Carolyn, her husband, and two children became members of Forum in 1990. Her husband, Dan, is an elder of the church. They also lead a Life Group at their home. She attends the Sunday a.m. Life Group that Dan co-leads. Carolyn also is a facilitator for the Tuesday evening women’s Bible study. Her interests include her three grandsons and one granddaughter, traveling, eating out, and occasionally working in the yard. |
 | Secretary Melinda is the secretary for the ministers on staff. She prepares the weekly bulletins, announcements, newsletters and so much more. She is in a Life Group and attends the Maranatha Class taught by Ted Mountjoy. Melinda is the mom of one grown son, Britton. She loves eating out with friends, going to movies, and reading. |
 | Marlowe Schlegel After a career with the USDA, Marlowe was called to volunteer his time and skills to help the ministry at Forum. God is using his life and work experiences to assist and support the leadership team. Staff members affectionately refer to him as the "Do Guy" which fits as he just does things. With focus on operations, his time and energy is spent on the business side of church activities. Marlowe and his wife Judy have two children plus one "adopted" son. They enjoy time with their grandsons and watching them grow. Marlowe enjoys music, flower gardening, ebaying, and following the MU Tigers, Cubs, Bears and Carl Edwards. |
| Photos courtesy of Schmidt Photo and Kristen Zeiss Photography |