Meet Our Pastors

Rev. Bryant Oskvig

Senior Pastor

Rev. Janet Craswell                                     

Minister of Discipleship

As Minister of Discipleship at National UMC, Janet is responsible for overseeing learning programs for all ages, preschool through adult. She is an ordained United Methodist Deacon, and the former Chair of the Order of Deacons of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Previously, Janet served as Minister of Spiritual Formation at Salem UMC in Brookeville, Maryland. Before entering ministry, Janet worked in the field of international development studies as an academic journal editor and an anti-apartheid activist. Janet is excited about Christian education and spiritual formation as tools to equip Christians to live out our faith in the world. She especially enjoys storytelling and play-filled, imaginative ways of sharing the Gospel with children and adults.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Janet has lived in the DC metro area since 1985. She has a BA in Political Science and German from the University of Puget Sound, an MA in International Relations/African Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and an MA in Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary. She lives in Rockville, Maryland, with her husband, Gene Beye. They have two young adult sons, David and Noah.

Rev. Dr. Rachel Livingston, MDiv

Pastor of Congregational Care

A third-generation minister, Rachel is a provisional elder in the United Methodist and is looking forward to serving as the Pastor of Congregational Care at National United Methodist Church.

Rachel earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.

A scholar, Rachel completed her Doctor of Ministry at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in May 2022. Her research explores connecting to young adults and communities through activism and community organizing. She is devoted to issues that seek out justice and build Beloved Community that is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ.

Locating herself in the Wesleyan tradition, Rev. Livingston believes that the church has a responsibility to nurture persons in both personal holiness and social responsibility. She maintains that one is not only called to a church but also the community. Therefore, one of her ministry goals is to find various ways to connect church and community. This is evidenced in her work as a community organizer for the Delaware Repeal Project, that sought to end the death penalty in Delaware, and as Executive Director for The Children's Defense Fund Freedom School at St. Paul's Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA, which sought not only promote literacy but encourage young people to make a difference in the world around them.

She has a strong passion for working with young people and Young Adults as she previously served as the Youth and Young Adult Director at Towson United Methodist Church.  While there she developed a contemporary worship service that was created by and for young adults.  Her desire to work with Young Adults directed her toward her doctoral research that sought to meet Young Adults where they are.  She noticed that Young Adults were becoming a disappearing generation within the church, yet very involved in the movements of activism to make a difference in the world. This led to exploring ministry that allows Young Adults to learn community organizing principles and lead the church in activism and connecting with the surrounding community.  

Rev. Dr. Rachel B. Livingston is a native of Wilmington, DE, and now calls the Maryland-DC-Metropolitan area her home.

She lives by the mantra of the United Methodist Hymn #536: “Take the name of Jesus with you,” which has been a family song to remind us that throughout life we must take Jesus along the journey.