Pastor's Welcome
These are exciting times around Burns United Methodist Church. We are constantly building and reconstructing how God's Spirit is moving among us and through us. Howard Snyder, a beloved author and spiritual mentor of mine, has reminded us that New Testament biblical writers focus much more on community building in the process of building the body of Christ than any other in topic. Our congregation is a unique hybrid of traditions and cultural backgrounds. We emphasize Christian biblically based community building and de-emphasize doctrinal differences. Someone asked me to describe our congregation. My description is a gathering of God's seekers and Jesus' disciples reaching out to the world with love and compassion. We recognize that we have differences among us but choose to lift up love first, understanding next, and hope in the daily life experiences of the people we encounter.
Dr. James Pernell, Sr.
Rev. Dr. James Pernell, Sr. is a visionary pastor, educator, and church leader committed to equipping congregations and communities for transformational ministry. He currently serves as the Associate Director of New Communities of Faith in the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he supports innovative ministry initiatives, revitalizes congregations, and uplifts emerging faith communities.
Dr. Pernell brings a rich ecumenical background, shaped by his roots in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and his ongoing journey toward full connectional status in the United Methodist Church. He has completed his UMC Course of Study at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and holds a Doctor of Ministry in Organizational Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary and an M.Div. from Turner Theological Seminary at ITC.
A passionate advocate for both digital and in-person ministry, Dr. Pernell is the author of Contrasting Beliefs with Reality: The Epistemology of Branding and Brand Image in the Small Church. He believes in a “Both/And” model of church leadership that embraces tradition and innovation.
Deeply grounded in pastoral care and prophetic witness, he serves as the newly appointed senior pastor of Burns UMC in the Iowa Conference. Dr. Pernell is married to Roxanna Pernell, an executive administrator at Mail Servies. Together, they are passionate about faith, family, and community transformation. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, traveling, and learning in ways that stretch both faith and imagination.
Mrs. Roxana Pernell
Mrs. Roxanna Pernell is a dedicated woman of faith whose life reflects a deep commitment to ministry, family, professional excellence, and community service. She seeks to walk purposefully in every season of life, guided by spiritual discernment and a heart for people.
Roxanna is an active member of Burns United Church, where she faithfully serves alongside her husband, Rev.Dr. James Pernell, Sr., Senior Pastor. A natural servant-leader, Roxanna uses her gifts in administration and hospitality to bless others within and beyond the church.
Professionally, Roxanna brings a wealth of experience in administration and organization with a focus on logistical support. She currently serves full-time with Mail Services, and previously worked as an Executive Assistant at Baptist Health in Jacksonville, FL, and at Graham Hospital in Elmwood, IL. Her seven-year tenure with the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity took her abroad to Asia, where she embraced cultural diversity and deepened her passion for global outreach ministry.
Her heart for service is evident in her extensive community involvement. She served on the Board of Directors for the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, a United Methodist-affiliated, faith-based center focused on empowering families to rise out of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.
Roxanna also brings her leadership from the African Methodist Episcopal Church as 1st Vice President of the Minister’s Spouses, Widows, and Widowers Plus PK (M-SWAWO+PK) in the 11th Episcopal District – East Conference. Additionally, she was an active member of the Women’s Missionary Society at the area, district, and connectional levels, and continues her lifelong outreach through the United Women of Faith Ministry.
Roxanna’s life and ministry have been shaped by travel and cross-cultural experiences. She has lived in seven U.S. states and two countries, and has engaged in mission work in Madagascar, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Egypt, and Japan. These experiences have expanded her understanding of God’s love as truly global and inclusive—reaching people in every nation and on every continent.
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Roxanna graduated from Southeast High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She cherishes her roles as wife, mother, and most recently, first-time grandmother—affectionately known as “GiGi.”
Roxanna is known for her warm spirit, tireless work ethic, and willingness to serve in any capacity—whether washing dishes after a church fellowship, preparing meals, or packing boxes at the food pantry. Her hands-on ministry and welcoming heart leave a lasting impact on everyone she meets. Through every role and responsibility, Roxanna remains steadfast in her commitment to living in right relationship with God and serving others with joy and grace.