Reverend Carol Lakota Eastin

Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She holds a bachelor’s in music education and psychology from MacMurray

College; a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio; and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University.   


Carol has Native American heritage which has influenced her spiritual path, theology, and ministry. She grew up in Peoria, IL, where she still has family.   Carol has served in a variety of ministry settings, rural, small-town,  and urban across the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and as a pastoral counselor at BroMenn Counseling Services. As a GBGM missionary, Carol was the founding pastor of Dayspring Native American United Methodist

Church in East Peoria, IL. Her work with Native American people continues through her involvement in the United Methodist Native American Caucus and the Native American Course of Study (a school for pastoral training). 


Carol was the District Superintendent of the Kaskaskia River District from 2014 to 2022 and is very

familiar with the Salem area. Carol is coming back to full-time ministry after two years of retirement in which she has been coaching church leadership, teaching, and has been engaged in research and writing in the area of pastoral/spiritual care. She and her husband, Rev. William Eastin, reside in Mount Vernon, IL. Their son Luke and his family are also in Mount Vernon. 

Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin

600 Lake Park Road

Mount Vernon, IL, 62864

pastor@gracumcsalem.org

217-722-4731 cell phone



Diane Leonard

Administrative Assitant

I grew up in Salem, am married with one step-daughter, a daughter and a son.  I went to college in order to pursue a career in accounting.  I have always wanted a career where I would be able to work with numbers and help others.  I found that and more with SGUMC.  Everyone here is kind, thoughtful, and loving.  I feel very blessed that I have been given this opportunity and for the people that I have come to know and care deeply for.

Jeannie Malone

Director of Music

Jeannie is Director of the Sanctuary Choir, Handbell Choir, and leads Hymns on Sunday.  Jeannie is also a long time member of United Women in Faith, and a Pink Lady at Salem Township Hospital. 

Larry Maxey

Contemporary Ministries Coordinator

Larry is the Leader of our Praise Band, teaches Sunday School, keeps our Sound equipment in check and does a million other things around our church all while running Maxey Systems, raising animals, and farming ground!

Phil Jones

Maintenance

Phil Maintains everything in the Church, big and small... he does it all!

Laurie Ward

Tech Coordinator

Laurie works on all things techy, and runs media on Sundays

Carol Ann Short

Outreach Ministries Coordinator

While Carol Ann is volunteering for the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, she's also working to identify needs in the Community, building relationships with community partners, promoting outreach, fundriaising and writing grants to sustain and grow outreach efforts.