College Hill Staff
Listed below are the staff members for College Hill United Methodist Church.
This is a group of people gathered together to help you connect with God, Jesus,
other members of the church and in general assist you in anyway we can.
We are happy to help.
reverend Jill Sander-Chali - lead pastor
Rev. Jill Sander-Chali is from a small town in the state of Missouri. She has a Bachelor of Science in Spanish from Missouri State University with a minor in religious studies and a Master’s of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University with a certificate in Hispanic Studies.
Rev. Jill has been in ministry since 2008 serving congregations of various sizes in Missouri and Kansas. She enjoys preaching, teaching, spiritual formation, and serving God in relationship with others through mercy and advocacy.
In her free time, she loves to cook, travel, and read. Her husband, Rev. Kalaba Chali is also an ordained United Methodist pastor and he serves as the Mercy and Justice Coordinator for the Great Plains Annual Conference. Together they have one daughter. One of Rev. Jill’s favorite scriptures is John 10:10a where Jesus says: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” It reminds her of the call we have as Christians to share the abundant life of Jesus Christ with others, knowing that abundant life encompasses all of who we are mind, body, and spirit!
brian Sutton - Director of youth and outreach ministries
Born and raised in Culver, Kansas, I grew up a country boy and have been a United Methodist my whole life. I have been doing youth ministry for 28 years now, some days it's hard to believe, other days not so much. The one thing that has remained the same is that I love waking up every day and getting to do my job.
The other part of my job here at College Hill, is outreach ministries. I enjoy working on events that involve our church community, as well as those that reach out to our neighborhood. We have so much going on in our church, it is amazing. I have been truly blessed in my life and count College Hill as a big blessing.
Jodi Rice - director of children's ministry
Since moving to Wichita back in 1991 I am proud and happy to call Wichita home. I am a Southeast Buffalo and attended WSU. I met my husband Greg while he was serving in the US Navy and was stationed in San Diego. The first few years we were married I split my time between Wichita and San Diego. Once we were permanently living in Wichita full time, we started attending First United Methodist Church. It was while we were attending there that I discovered my LOVE of doing hands on serving and mission work. I fell in love with taking my own family on work team trips. I am very excited to start this program with families here at CHUM. I often say of everything we've ever done with our family taking the girls on work teams is easily the best thing we have done as a family. Greg and I have grown our family to include 4 daughters. Our oldest attends WSU. We have 2 daughters in grade school who keep us VERY busy. We were blessed in the early summer of 2017 with a baby girl.
rob simon - 10:15 Music director
a learner, a teacher, a singer, a storyteller, a writer, a bit of an artist – and sometimes all of these at once!
In addition to being Music Coordinator for Contemporary Worship at College Hill, Rob is a specialist in prevention programming and restorative practices, a Wichita Griot Storyteller, a performer with band, Blue Eyed Soul. And a certified Kansas educator & experienced trainer/ consultant and speaker/performer working with school systems and various agencies coast to coast.
Through his own POSITIVE RHYTHM PRODUCTIONS, Rob produces topical workshop, classroom, assembly, keynote and other creative presentations for various audiences, using persuasive speech, original songs, characterizations, essays, & poetry. He is also known for having produced weekly commentary on Wichita's National Public Radio affiliate, KMUW FM 89.1 for over ten years.
matthew Nutter - MUSIC & CHANCEL CHOIR director
I am currently in my 6th year of teaching and have been the choir teacher at Hadley Middle school for 5 years. I received my Bachelors in Music Education at Wichita State in 2010 and have been certified in all three levels of Kodaly. I plans on starting my Masters in Choral Pedagogy at Kansas University this summer. This is my 1st year directing at CHUM and is very excited about moving forward with the choir!
debbie snell - office administrator
How many days until Christmas? Just ask me, I can usually tell you. Looking for a new four legged friend? Just ask me, I can usually help. These are just two of my many wonderful qualities.
On a more serious note, coming to College Hill UMC as office manager in June 1994, has been a blessing. I have worked in churches my entire adult life, and have never found a more welcoming congregation. CHUM members have always impressed me with their generosity. They have always been willing to go the extra mile for those in need. I see this in action nearly every day of the week; through Prayer, Food Pantry distribution, Summer kids eating program, clothing giveaway, Saturday morning breakfast, etc… the list goes on and on. Another area that has always inspired me is the number of willing volunteers at College Hill; willing to give of their time for our church.
I have seen CHUM go through low points, as well as high points. It has always amazed me how the congregation rallies through the good and not-so-good times, knowing that our faith and belief will see us through. I have always been impressed how College Hill is willing to step out of the comfort zone for social issues and justice; just another reason I’m proud to be a part of College Hill United Methodist Church.
Know that you are always welcome at College Hill. Feel free to pop in for a cup of coffee and a chat.
patty Ruzich - technology/publications coordinator
Born and raised in Hutchinson, (Home of the Kansas State Fair, Underground Salt Mine, Kansas Cosmosphere, and The Anchor Inn), I found my way to Wichita and to CHUM 21 years ago. I grew up knowing I wanted to be around people so I had a choice of being a nurse, secretary, or teacher…back in the day our choices were limited. I chose being a teacher and for 37 years loved doing just that…teaching math and science at both the middle and high school levels. To this day, I continue to coach middle school cross country and track, work on the football chain gang, and run the clock or keep the scorebook for basketball games. I was also fortunate to travel across the United States as an aerobics trainer for a period of five years. I am proud to say I was a Hutch High Salthawk, a Hutch JUCO Blue Dragon, and a K-State Wildcat!! I received my Master’s degree from Baker University in education with a technology emphasis.
As much as I loved teaching and working with, and around, young people, early retirement was an option for me so I took it!! Looking for something that would let me use my technology skills and my people skills, I was very fortunate to find my second career here at College Hill. Once again I jump out of bed looking forward to getting to work to see who will walk in the office and visit with me. I love life and enjoy all the new faces I meet each week and I love the family here at CHUM. Life is good!! Thank you CHUMites!
