Woodlawn Christian Church
Our Approach
Roy Karlen
Pastor
Our Story
Welcome to Woodlawn Christian Church, Disciples of Christ & American Baptist. We are a dually affiliated congregation with the 2017 merger of the First Baptist Church and Woodlawn Christian. We are proud of both faith traditions and embrace the great common threads between our two great heritages. We are located in Lake City, Iowa and we are a welcoming and friendly congregation of believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you live near Lake City and you're looking for a new church family or just visiting in the area and want to attend Sunday worship, please come and visit us at 10 am Sunday morning, or call or drop in and visit with Pastor Roy. Pastor Roy can be reached by phone at the office number 712-464-3290.
Pastor Roy joined us in ministry in April of 2015. Pastor Roy and his wife Gail were business owners in the Omaha, NE area for nearly 25 years, and during this time Roy felt the call to go into formal ministry. Through the guidance of his mentors the Reverend Doctor Jesse Brown, Doctor Susan Gillies, and Reverend Robert Molby, he completed the three-year “Educating Lay Ministry” training program offered by Cotner College in Lincoln, NE. In addition to this formal training, Roy also spent six years studying weekly with his dear friend and mentor Jesse Brown. Jesse was a retired minister and professor of Old Testament Theology at Duke University. Jesse's guidance and friendship greatly formed and influenced Roy's understanding of scripture and leadership style. Roy and Gail have two adult children, Creath who lives in Sioux Falls, SD, and Madeline who lives in Omaha, NE. His wife Gail owns and operates the “Paisley Pansie” a custom framing, gift shop, and boutique here in Lake City.
William "Bill" Hungate
Church Council Chair
William "Bill" Hungate was born and raised in Lake City.
Bill has been married to his wife Judy since 1982.
Together they have three children and six grandchildren.
Bill and Judy both became members of Woodlawn Christian Church in 2017 after the merger of the two congregations.
Bill was elected Church Council Vice Chair in 2017, and in 2019 was elected Church Council Chair.
Bill is very much looking forward to helping do the work of the Lord here at church and in our community.
Thank You Bill for filling this leadership role!
Terry Watters
Head Elder
Terry has been a life long member of Woodlawn Christian Church.
Terry has devotedly served as a Deacon, Elder, member of multiple committees, Sunday School instructor, Bible study moderator, and choir leader.
On occasion, Terry has filled the pulpit when asked, and regularly shares his God given talent of singing
Terry and his wife Beverly have been married since 1976, and through this union have three daughters.
For two plus decades Terry was a full time partner in his family business, then opened and operated the Development Department at a local special needs care facility for 23 years.
Now retired, Terry and his wife live in Lake City.
Clyde Westcott
Property Chair
Clyde Westcott has been our Property Chair here at Woodlawn for several years now.
As Property Chair, Clyde is ultimately responsible for the care and maintenance of the Church Building and the Church Grounds.
With our sprawling building and expansive grounds, it is a large job indeed.
He brings a wealth of life experiences and his unique skill sets to this position and has worked tirelessly to keep this old building both beautiful and functional.
Clyde and his wife Donna have been members for many years now and together they are a valuable duo for the Church.
Scott Crandall
Christian Council Chair
Scott has been married to Roxy for forty amazing years!
They have two married sons and five grandchildren.
Scott has been an insurance agent for Mutual of Omaha for twenty-eight years.
Scott has been a member of the Woodlawn Christian Church since 1993. He has been a trustee, financial secretary, board member and held various other positions within the church.
Scott enjoys spending time with his family and he's an avid Iowa State Cyclone supporter.
Norma DeVries
Moderator of Women of Woodlawn (WOW)
Norma is a Wisconsin native who joined Woodlawn Christian Church forty-some years ago.
She and her husband Jerry have two married sons and four grandchildren.
A book lover since childhood, she found her dream job in 1992 at the Lake City Public Library, serving as library director from 1999 until her retirement in 2013.
Norma is deeply committed to the ministries of Women of Woodlawn, and often finds herself at the church engaged in one of its many projects.
In her free time, her favorite thing to do is read.
"My passions are Bible study and ministry to the least of these. WOW enables me to be involved in both. If you have time to spare - a little or a lot - check us out."
Clint DeVries
Church Office Manager
Clint joined our staff here at Woodlawn Church January 14, 2020.
Clint has been a member of Woodlawn Church since 1999 and his family tree goes back many years.
Clint has served the church as a Worship greeter and Deacon.
When he isn't in the office Clint spends most of his time on his acreage in the Lake City area and helping both family and friends with their farming operations.
Clint is looking forward to serving in this position.