RPM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Scott Payne
President

Scott graduated from San Jose High School in 1977. In 1982, I graduated from Lincoln Christian College (University) with a BA in Church and Family Life Counseling. My parents dedicated me to ministry the moment I was born and made sure I was raised in the church. They provided a home life that was hospitable to all—which meant I had an opportunity to meet and learn from a host of godly people over the years who spent hours talking, praying and worshiping around our kitchen table. My parents gave me a foundation of truth and love, and for that, I will always praise God.

  • In the fall of 1977, the gift of a lifetime walked into my life—a young lady by the name of Constance Ann Gillespie. Four years later I married her, making January 10, 1981 the most significant day of my life. Over the years, God has blessed Connie and I with six children, each unique in their own wonderful way.

    God then blessed my biological family with an expanded family that has shaped our lives beyond our wildest expectations. Connie and I—with children in tow—came to Inner City Mission on the prayer that God would lead us to the right place in ministry. He knew much better than I, because working with the homeless has turned out to be the perfect fit for all of us.

David Edwards
Vice President

Dave founded Edwards Group LLC in December of 2008 after spending more than a decade at another Springfield law firm. As the child of school teachers, David grew up in a home where being an educator was considered a noble profession. The ability to make the complicated seem logical, while guiding others to deeper understanding seemed instinctive. It wasn’t until he went away to law school that he realized most attorneys didn’t approach life, or their clients, in the same way that he did. In establishing the Edwards Group LLC in Springfield, Illinois, David created a different kind of law practice — one that focuses on lifetime planning for real life issues.

  • His goal of creating an estate planning law firm of this kind was unheard of in Central Illinois — a place where the entire office, attorney and staff, were all focused on one thing — creating estate plans that worked and flawlessly served the families they were created for. In order to make his dream a reality, he implemented a series of changes that, even today, are one of a kind in this area.

Joseph Kuhlman
Treasurer

Joe is a CPA and he currently works for the Illinois Department of Transportation as an Internal Auditor. He and his wife Lisa of 30 years have five children, four grandchildren and attend Lincoln Christian Church in Lincoln, IL.

Joe is an elected official of the Logan County Board and he enjoys serving on the LCC worship team as a drummer.

Joe has a great desire to be supportive of men’s ministries as he sees men as critical to the health of families, the church, and to the larger society and nation.

Don Goodenow
Secretary

Don is the President of Goodenow Insurance Agency Inc whose responsibilities include everything from sales and marketing, developing new agents to long term planning. Don and his wife of 23 years Connie are raising 3 boys, Johnathon, Joseph and James to understand their roles as future leaders in Christs Church. Don is the Lay Leader of Cantrall United Methodist Church and is a Certified Lay Speaker in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference/Sangamon River District. He is an active member of the Gideons International and is always searching for ways to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

  • Don has helped to organize and sponsor 5K races whose proceeds were designated for RPM. He has a strong belief that Relevant Practical Ministries for Men is an organization that fills a hole missing in many churches today; Helping to equip men to better follow the biblical principles of manhood..

John Swinford
Board Member

John serves as the Pastor of Pasfield Southern Baptist Church in Springfield and also serves as the Executive Director of Asbury’s Children’s Supper Hour in Springfield. John and his wife Cari, of 34 years raised two beautiful daughters who are married and live in the immediate area and have blessed them with two wonderful grandsons, Ian and Oliver and two beautiful granddaughters, Lily and Caroline. John brings experience in Leadership, Management and Ministry. His education includes a Graduate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and a Graduate Degree in General Ministry from Lincoln Christian Seminary. John has served in church leadership for many years, and as the men’s ministry leader and is passionate about Discipleship and Ministry to Men!

  • As a retired United States Marine, John serves as co-leader for REBOOT Combat Recovery which, is a ministry helping to equip veterans deal with the moral and spiritual wounds of war by addressing the hopelessness leading to 22 veterans a day choosing to take their own life. John has served as the Conference Coordinator for the Springfield, Iron Sharpens Iron Conference for the past several years and previously served as the Volunteer Coordinator for that event and is actively involved in one-on-one discipleship as a means of leading other men into spiritual maturity, so they, in turn can lead others. John and his wife Cari live in Williamsville, IL.

Sam Marshall
Board Member

Sam and his lovely wife of 37 years, Kathy, have worked in prison ministry for over 25 years. Sam has led many short term Bible Studies over the years. He has been leading a Men’s Bible study in Mascoutah since 1995.

For the last 14 years he has worked as a volunteer Conference Coordinator for the “Iron Sharpens Iron” Men’s Conference in Southern Illinois.

The Gospel of John is his favorite book and he likes to teach Apologetics.

Rob Taylor
Board Member

Rob is a Senior Financial Manager at Caterpillar where he has worked since 1997. Rob and his wife Laurie of 31 years live in Monticello and have two daughters who are happily married along with one wonderful grandson. Rob and his wife attend New Horizon Church in Champaign where Rob is currently on the Finance Committee, leads a small group discipleship study and actively serves at Salt and Light Ministries.

  • Rob’s passion for coaching youth sports enabled him to realize the opportunity to incorporate life lessons through scripture to the young men he was coaching. This, along with being Conference Coordinator for Irons Sharpens Iron Conference in Champaign, has shown him the importance of men’s ministry and the need for discipleship among men of all ages