Administrative Staff

Alan Prass, Church Administrator

"I’m excited to be able to serve the Lord through administration. As the church continues to grow, it is the administrative staff’s responsibility to ensure the church has the proper tools to connect people with Jesus Christ."

Alan has a passion for growing the family of Christ and the outreach of our church and an effective leadership style build upon sharing vision and developing consensus.

Retiring in December after a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he is the first person to ever hold the position as Church Administrator. His dual responsibilities include supervision of all lay staff and directing business operations.

No stranger to Southwestern Illinois and this church family, Alan finishes he second tour at Scott AFB in December - a return assignment that he requested so that he might rejoin this church family. He has served on numerous church boards and committees – including co-chair of the successful So Blessed capital campaign completed earlier this year. Gifts from that campaign will soon lead to construction of a 1100-seat sanctuary and education building to meet the ongoing growth of this church.

Since 2003 as deputy director of operations, Lt. Colonel Prass, has managed all global operations, logistics and transportation factors affecting 150 missions daily at Air Mobility Command Headquarters, Tanker Airlift Control Center, Scott AFB.

A graduate of Ohio State University, with emphases in engineering and aviation science, he has a master’s degree in aviation / aerospace operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has also received professional certificates in planning, leadership, management, budgeting, communications and professionalism.

Alan and his wife, Vanessa, are the parents of two children, Victoria and Nathanial.

LuAnn Beem, Office Manager

LuAnn Beem was first approached in 2006 to help launch the "Connecting Every Person in Ministry" volunteer program. In February of 2007, LuAnn was officially hired as the Office Manager. She has always felt a call to serve, and knew that she had finally found a place at Christ Church to use the Spiritual Gifts with which God has equipped her.

A Native of North Dakota, LuAnn has an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management from Mayville State College. LuAnn and Patrick have been married for twenty-three years. They have two children, Kelly and Michael, and have lived in Waterloo, Illinois since 1996. They all became members of Christ Church in 2003.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Samantha Allard, Financial Administrator

Samantha Allard has been working with the church staff since August 2001. In March of 2003, Samantha was officially hired as a part-time secretary to help manage the ever growing demands of the church office. At present, Samantha is employed as our Financial Secretary. She and her husband, Derek, have attended Christ Church for 61/2 years and continue to experience God in new and exciting ways. Samantha and Derek also have two children, Justin and Brianna, who love the church and attend Sunday School and Youth Groups. Samantha strives to be obedient to what God has called her to do here at Christ Church and is excited to be involved in God’s plan for the church.

Cary Purcell, Secretary

Hailing from the backwoods of Western Kentucky, Cary Purcell brings a unique style to the CUMC staff.

A retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, Cary has been a member of CUMC for over four years and loves every aspect of the church. 

He is actively involved with the Boy Scouts as an Assistant District Commissioner, and Venturing Crew Advisor. His hobbies include camping, backpacking, working with kids, and watching football and college basketball.

Cary has two children, daughter, Taylor and son, Austin.

Nathan Tobin, Audio Engineer

In sixth grade I started playing bass in a new praise band at the church where my dad was pastor in North Dakota. The tiny PA system we used, which was bigger than anything I had seen prior to that point, intrigued me and roused a new interest in audio equipment. I later helped my dad install a permanent PA there as well as at his next church in Illinois. I began running sound on a regular basis during worship and eventually put together a home studio where I experimented with music recording. When I graduated high school, I left for Webster University; I will graduate in 2007 with a B.A. in Audio Production. I have run front-of-house sound for Harvest Ministry Team events for two years and have recorded several studio and live albums. I have a passion for audio and for ministry, especially when the two go together. I am currently exploring the option of working full-time in Audio ministry when I graduate. I also play the drums on the side in a few worship teams and love to fish.