Meet Our Leadership

---

 Gary Elrod serves as a minister for Community of Christ and CCM Ministries and is part of the Co-Chair for CCM. Gary lives in Janesville, Wisconsin. He retired full time in 2018, from, Community of Christ. He has served in the office of Priest, Elder, Seventy and currently as an Evangelist. He has served has a Congregational Consultant, Pastor for twenty-eight years and Mission Center President (Community of Christ) for eight years. Gary loves to share God with people and expresses great joy when others find Jesus in their lives. 

 Laurie Romig is a member of CCM and currently serves as one of the Contemporary Christian Ministries Leadership Team Chairs.  She is an Elder in Community of Christ, and served as Pastor for over 7 years in the Austin and New Braunfels congregations in Texas.  She was on the Community of Christ Peace Committee for eight years.  Laurie has trained and coached many Community of Christ leaders in Side by Side Leadership and spiritual growth. She has two children and three grandchildren. She loves to read, travel, exercise and be with family and Creator God.  Laurie continually takes classes in the Holy Scriptures and ways to develop close relationships with God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.   

 Renee Smith has been a member of the CCM Leadership Team since 2017.  She currently functions as one of three CCM chairs since 2024. She is also an Elder in the Community of Christ Church.  Renee’s professional background includes careers in social work, school counseling, and mental health.  A lover of animals Renee lives on a small farm in the midwest with her husband Jon, chickens, cats, and many other wildlife that she considers family.  Jeremiah 33:3 and John 17 are two passages of scripture that continue to help her navigate through life.  She considers Jesus her friend as well as her Savior.    

Fred Elliott retired from Caterpillar in 2015 after an impressive 45-year career in the service department. Early in his career, he spent 10 years covering the Midwest, South, and Eastern U.S., before traveling across Europe and the United Kingdom while residing in Geneva, Switzerland. His final 20 years were spent in Peoria, IL, where he worked as a Gas Engine Training Instructor and traveled worldwide, including Australia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.

In retirement, Fred dedicated 9 years to volunteering at the Joseph Smith Historic Sites in Nauvoo, IL, where he contributed to restoring and improving 1840s historic homes (such as the Wright House and Clark House) and reroofing key structures, including the Mansion House. Currently, Fred serves as the CCM Treasurer, continuing his commitment to service.

Steve lives in Dripping Springs, Texas with his wife, Susan Jeschke Calloway. Steve and Susan are blessed to have four wonderful children, out of this world children in laws, and seven incredible grandchildren. Steve has served as a school teacher and youth minister for most of 45 years. In retirement he enjoys tutoring students on a nearly daily basis and being at grandkids activities.
Steve has been part of CCM for about seven years and privilged to serve as chair and co-chair for the Leadership Team. He is currently serving as Pastor  of the CCMLT. He has a love of scripture, all things historical, traveling, reading, and working outdoors. 

 Mary Anne Bennett-Ripsam is an active member of the Community of Christ in the Alabama - Northwest Florida Mission Center. She has a passion for space, origami, playing with her two sisters, and computer coding. Mary Anne is dedicated to giving back to her community through her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and at a local Dyslexia tutoring center. She enjoys participating in both traditional and contemporary worship services. Looking ahead, Mary Anne is excited to pursue a career in engineering while continuing to serve in ministry 

Born in Baltimore, MD, in 1962, Judy Auman grew up as the fourth of five children and was baptized into the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) in Beckley, WV. She currently resides in Greenwood, DE. Judy earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling in 2006 and was ordained to the office of Priest in 2007.

Judy became involved with CCM in 1997 and has cherished the joy of serving in various roles, building lifelong friendships, and worshiping with her church family. She is passionate about bridge-building, uniting diverse groups in worship, and sharing the love of Christ with those in need.

Her stepfather, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, inspired her deep connection to Native traditions. Through years of supporting Powwows and attending Native ceremonies, she joined the First People Non-Geographic Congregation and now serves on its leadership team. Judy’s ministry focuses on outreach, healing, and finding common threads to strengthen the community of faith.

She draws inspiration from Isaiah 40:28, believing in God's unfailing strength and tireless care for His people.

Aho Mitakye Oyasin – All My Relations

JJ Ripsam is a long-time member of the Community of Christ Mission Center (CCM) and serves faithfully on its Leadership Team as an active Deacon. Deeply involved in youth and young adult programs, JJ offers mentorship and wise, thoughtful leadership that is a steadying presence within the mission center.

Professionally, JJ works as a contractor, leveraging his skills during CCM's annual mission trip to New Mexico, where he plays a critical role in project planning and implementation. At home, JJ is a devoted husband to Christy and a loving father to their three daughters. A visionary leader, he inspires others to see possibilities for growth while advancing the mission of the Community of Christ.