Oakwood Staff
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Rev. Dr. Richard Boatman - Senior Pastor
richard.boatman@oakwoodlife.org
I have pastored for many years and still love connecting with people and teaching biblical principles. Larae Boatman is my wife and partner in ministry. (People generally like me, but they love her!) Our son Caleb is sixteen. Michael and Mandy, the two older kids (and their spouses) have blessed us with six wonderful grandkids.
Oakwood United Methodist Church has been our family of faith for five years. We feel honored to be here and believe God’s hand is clearly upon this ministry. We’d love to have you be a part of this welcoming, prayer-centered congregation where our passion for Jesus is manifested in our compassion for others.

Julie Feldman- Small Group Ministry & Connections Associate
julie.feldman@oakwoodlife.org
Oakwood UMC is where I first came to understand and know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and I was baptized here as an adult. My husband, Mike Feldman, and I have been married for over 27 years. I believe that being involved in small groups, Bible studies and marriage classes here at Oakwood have helped keep our marriage strong as we have grown together in our faith. I consider it a great privilege now to work at Oakwood as Small Group Coordinator. My job encompasses many things, but the bottom line is that I get to help people feel welcome here, connect with others and grow spiritually. My husband is also passionate about Christ and involved at Oakwood as well as my five lovely daughters Abby, Tess, Annie, Ellie and Becca.
julie.feldman@oakwoodlife.org
Oakwood UMC is where I first came to understand and know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and I was baptized here as an adult. My husband, Mike Feldman, and I have been married for over 27 years. I believe that being involved in small groups, Bible studies and marriage classes here at Oakwood have helped keep our marriage strong as we have grown together in our faith. I consider it a great privilege now to work at Oakwood as Small Group Coordinator. My job encompasses many things, but the bottom line is that I get to help people feel welcome here, connect with others and grow spiritually. My husband is also passionate about Christ and involved at Oakwood as well as my five lovely daughters Abby, Tess, Annie, Ellie and Becca.

Brian Acker - Music Ministries Associate
brian.acker@oakwoodlife.org
My wife Angela and I joined Oakwood United Methodist Church in 1991 In 1985, I graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. After several years of teaching and various other employment opportunities, my family and I settled in Altoona, Iowa in 1998 where we reside today. I became Director of Music at Oakwood United Methodist Church in the fall of 1992.
We currently have an 8:30 service choir that rehearses on Monday evenings at 7 pm and sings in worship one Sunday per month. We also have the Oakwood Praise Team that leads worship at our 10:45 Contemporary service. If you are interested in joining either of these ministries, please contact me. I am so blessed with the opporunities God has put before me. I am thankful everyday for the gifts of music and praise.
brian.acker@oakwoodlife.org
My wife Angela and I joined Oakwood United Methodist Church in 1991 In 1985, I graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. After several years of teaching and various other employment opportunities, my family and I settled in Altoona, Iowa in 1998 where we reside today. I became Director of Music at Oakwood United Methodist Church in the fall of 1992.
We currently have an 8:30 service choir that rehearses on Monday evenings at 7 pm and sings in worship one Sunday per month. We also have the Oakwood Praise Team that leads worship at our 10:45 Contemporary service. If you are interested in joining either of these ministries, please contact me. I am so blessed with the opporunities God has put before me. I am thankful everyday for the gifts of music and praise.

Angie Acker – Connections & Welcome Coordinator
angie.ackter@oakwoodlife.org
My name is Angie Acker. I am the lucky one who gets to call herself the Connections and Welcome Coordinator at Oakwood! I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to Oakwood. We would love to have you make it your church home. My husband, Brian and I did, over twenty years ago and it became our home away from home. The family of faith here is incredible. They have always offered us love, support and that mutual encouragement. I do not know what we would do without the people of Oakwood. Our family of Faith is very much a part of our lives.
angie.ackter@oakwoodlife.org
My name is Angie Acker. I am the lucky one who gets to call herself the Connections and Welcome Coordinator at Oakwood! I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to Oakwood. We would love to have you make it your church home. My husband, Brian and I did, over twenty years ago and it became our home away from home. The family of faith here is incredible. They have always offered us love, support and that mutual encouragement. I do not know what we would do without the people of Oakwood. Our family of Faith is very much a part of our lives.

Tania Bentley – Children’s Ministry Associate
tania.bentley@oakwoodlife.org
My family consists of Luke, my husband, Kayla my oldest daughter, and Abby my youngest daughter. We live in Pleasant Hill. My family and I started attending Oakwood five years ago. We were interested in getting Abby baptized and started looking into churches. Oakwood was the first and last church we visited. Some of the activities I have been involved with at Oakwood are; 24/7 leader, VBS co-director, Marriage Mentors, Small Group Campaigns, and other special events. I really enjoy having fun with the kids here at Oakwood and am excited to partner with Judy in the Children’s Ministries.
In addition to working at Oakwood, I am a case manager at ChildServe where I am blessed to work with children with special needs and their parents/guardians. I attended Wartburg College (a long time ago) and graduated with a Music Education and Music Therapy degree. If you want to find out what my musical talent is, come fine me.
In addition to spending time with my family, some of the other things I like to do are; read, play softball, travel, wii guitar hero, watch episodes of the Office, and go shopping for clothes and shoes!!
tania.bentley@oakwoodlife.org
My family consists of Luke, my husband, Kayla my oldest daughter, and Abby my youngest daughter. We live in Pleasant Hill. My family and I started attending Oakwood five years ago. We were interested in getting Abby baptized and started looking into churches. Oakwood was the first and last church we visited. Some of the activities I have been involved with at Oakwood are; 24/7 leader, VBS co-director, Marriage Mentors, Small Group Campaigns, and other special events. I really enjoy having fun with the kids here at Oakwood and am excited to partner with Judy in the Children’s Ministries.
In addition to working at Oakwood, I am a case manager at ChildServe where I am blessed to work with children with special needs and their parents/guardians. I attended Wartburg College (a long time ago) and graduated with a Music Education and Music Therapy degree. If you want to find out what my musical talent is, come fine me.
In addition to spending time with my family, some of the other things I like to do are; read, play softball, travel, wii guitar hero, watch episodes of the Office, and go shopping for clothes and shoes!!

Larae Boatman-Children's Ministry Associate
larae.boatman@oakwoodlife.org
I am thrilled to be a part of Oakwood's Christian education ministry! Your children give me joy! I love sharing where real contentment comes from. Connecting kids to Jesus' love is what I am all about! I Hope as your family walks into this special place you sense God’s compassion shining through our teachers and helpers as we nurture the children through fun activities, object lessons and Bible-centered discipleship so all can share Jesus’ joy with others around them.
Prior to our coming to Oakwood, I taught K-12th grade art for 16 years, was a program / art director and camp counselor at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp for 5 years, and have been a youth director and Christian Education Director at two previous churches. It is an honor to work with Tania and to be a part of your child's journey.
larae.boatman@oakwoodlife.org
I am thrilled to be a part of Oakwood's Christian education ministry! Your children give me joy! I love sharing where real contentment comes from. Connecting kids to Jesus' love is what I am all about! I Hope as your family walks into this special place you sense God’s compassion shining through our teachers and helpers as we nurture the children through fun activities, object lessons and Bible-centered discipleship so all can share Jesus’ joy with others around them.
Prior to our coming to Oakwood, I taught K-12th grade art for 16 years, was a program / art director and camp counselor at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp for 5 years, and have been a youth director and Christian Education Director at two previous churches. It is an honor to work with Tania and to be a part of your child's journey.