Staff
Scroll down or click below to meet our staff
- Bob Guido, Pastor
- Jenny Kottenbrook, Office Administrator
- Pat Murphy, Children’s Minister
- Eileen Sever, 9am Music Minister
- Lori and John Kottenbrook, 11am Music Ministers
- Darren Guido, 5pm Music Minister
- Sheila Smith, Parish Nurse
Pastor Bob Guido
Pastor Bob’s road to ministry began when his cable TV signal wouldn’t work one evening. Instead of watching television, he and his wife attended a local revival service and his faith journey began. From his work as an auto mechanic then, Bob earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, then a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emery University in Atlanta, GA. In his 25 years of ministry, he has pastored churches in Illinois, Georgia, West Texas and Rio Rancho.
Jenny Kottenbrook
As our office administrator, Jenny’s right at home in church. She and her husband, Charles, pastored in churches across Mississippi for nearly 50 years. They have two grown children, Jennifer who lives in Arkansas, and John, who lives in Rio Rancho, as well as six grandchildren. Jenny enjoys collecting recipes and cooking, but says she doesn’t really have any hobbies, other than “hanging out” with her husband of 48 years!
Pat Murphy
Pat has been involved in children’s ministry in several churches and says young children are so open to the word of God, that she feels blessed to help provide it for them. She says God often provides many teachable moments that surprise her during the classes. Pat has a degree in elementary education. She has one daughter who lives in Rio Rancho and two grandsons.
Eileen Sever
Eileen has been playing piano since she was 7 years old, once even meeting with Van Cliburn and playing a piece for him at SMU! Music has always been a part of her life –at the age of 2 she would sit beside her mom on the organ bench during church—once falling asleep onto the keyboard and probably waking up everyone else who was sleeping as well, she says!
Eileen credits another HDUMC member, Janet Whittlesey, who she says taught her the art of “waving my hands” around to direct the choir. Her instinct for directing a choir also comes from many years as members of her father’s choirs and the summers they spent at the Texas State Choral Directors’ conferences from the time she was 8 years old. Directing the SonRise Singers at High Desert UMC is a pleasure, she says. The group started with about 6 people the first year and now includes 15-18 people on most Sundays.
Eileen credits another HDUMC member, Janet Whittlesey, who she says taught her the art of “waving my hands” around to direct the choir. Her instinct for directing a choir also comes from many years as members of her father’s choirs and the summers they spent at the Texas State Choral Directors’ conferences from the time she was 8 years old. Directing the SonRise Singers at High Desert UMC is a pleasure, she says. The group started with about 6 people the first year and now includes 15-18 people on most Sundays.
Lori and John Kottenbrook
Lori and John Kottenbrook lead the music during the 11am Sunday service. Lori has been playing music for church services since she was 16. John studied music in college and served as a pastor for many years at churches in Mississippi before their move to New Mexico. They have two children, Mary and Benjamin.
Darren Guido
Darren grew up in church and began playing the guitar for worship services in Texas at age 14. After the family’s move to New Mexico, he was the original music leader as High Desert UMC began meeting. As the praise band grew, they began performing at community events and needed a name. “Barefoot in the Desert” was born, named after Exodus 3:5 and the story of the burning bush where God directs Moses to “take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Darren and his wife Carie have three children.
Sheila Smith
Sheila Smith serves High Desert UMC as parish nurse, providing monthly blood pressure checks between Sunday morning services and health education to the congregation. Her own experience with a traumatic brain injury in 1989 led her into health ministry after many years as a registered nurse in intensive care units. She attends various health seminars with a special interest in the New Mexico Brain Injury Association, National Association on Mental Illness and various aspects of senior health. Sheila, who recently became a US citizen, says her main hobby is staying in touch with old friends in England. She and her husband Tony live in Corrales.
