Our Staff

Ofa Savou Vaki is a Lay Person Assigned (LPA) that is currently on track to become a Local Licensed Pastor. She was born in the Kingdom of Tonga and in 2015 her family uprooted and left everything behind and migrated to Las Vegas. Her first church home was Advent UMC in Las Vegas and in 2017 until 2023 attended Trinity UMC Las Vegas. Ofa is a Certified Lay Speaker and has been in several leadership roles at her home Church, First Tongan UMF. She has been the Music Director, Youth and Young Adult Co-ordinator, Volunteer Co-ordinator and Trasurer to name a few. Ofa recently got married on February 1st 2024 to Naioti Vaki who is also seeking to become and Ordained Elder as well. Ofa says, "I have decided to give my all to ministry and my hope will be for God to use me to bring love and joy to the world...My name is 'OFA which means LOVE in Tongan". With a caring and loving demeanor, She will be a blessing to this Ministry.

Barry Isbell is the music director at Advent United Methodist, and he has enjoyed serving this congregation since 2004. He has also served as music director at University United Methodist in Las Vegas, and at First United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona.

Barry also teaches choir full time at Palo Verde High School. He has taught choir at Durango and Chaparral high schools here in Las Vegas and Santa Rita and Sabino high schools in Tucson.

Barry is married to Nicole Isbell, who serves as worship chair for Advent, and she participates actively in music ministry at Advent. Their children, Noah, Elijah and Sinthea are grown and live in Las Vegas.