—— Staff ——
Tom was born in Lexington, Ky. He received his bachelor’s degree from Centre College in Danville, Ky., in 1988, and his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., in 1992.
He served as a student intern pastor on the Murphy and Andrews United Methodist Church circuits in Murphy, N.C., and at Salem United Methodist Church in Morganton, N.C. Tom was an intern chaplain at the Western Carolina Center in Morganton and at Duke Hospital in Durham.
During his career, Tom has served six churches:
- Mt. Pisgah UMC (singles pastor), Greensboro, N.C., 1991 – 1992;
- Cedar Falls UMC, Asheboro, N.C., 1992 – 1997;
- Central Falls UMC, Asheboro, N.C., 1992 – 1997;
- Bankstown Uniting Parish (associate pastor), Sydney, Australia, 1997 – 1998;
- St. Matthews UMC, Morganton, N.C., 1998 – 2006; and
- Pineville UMC, Pineville, N.C., 2006 – present.
In 1997, Tom served as the English editor at the Center for Social Development in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Tom has been active in each of the communities he’s served. In Asheboro, he was a board member and secretary of the Family Crisis Center, Civil Air Patrol Chaplain and a volunteer at the Christian United Outreach Center.
In Morganton, he was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Burke-Sunrise and a board member of the Career and Personal Counseling Service. Tom served as president of the Morganton Area Ministers Association and vice president of the Burke Ministers Alliance. He was a volunteer at Broughton Hospital and Burke United Christian Ministries.
Today, he volunteers at Pineville Elementary School and the Upward Basketball Camp and League.
Tom is married to Amelia Stinson-Wesley, also an ordained United Methodist Minister and director of World Connection for Women, a nonprofit organization. They have two children, Kyra and Evan.
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Eric joined Pineville UMC’s ministerial family in 2007.
He was born in Rocky Mount, N.C. and is a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., from which he received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science. Eric received his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2007.
Eric has a long career in human resources, serving in positions with Mecklenburg County and at UNC Charlotte.
He is married to Melanie, a teacher, and they have two children, Erin, a social worker; and Jeremy, a student at North Carolina State University.
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 Monica joined our staff in February 2009. Born in Washington, D.C., she is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. (Class of 1996), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Monica served as an administrative assistant at the U.S. Department of State and as a human resources assistant for several companies in northern Virginia including, InterAmerica Technologies and Fairfax Radiology Consultants.
She is married to Angelo and they have two children, Joseph and David.
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Stephanie Jenkins joined the staff as director of youth ministries in 2011, after more than five years serving as a volunteer with the church’s youth. She brings to the position her personal history of active membership in the youth group of Tabernacle United Methodist Church in her native Fredericksburg, Va., Young Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Professionally, Stephanie has served as a production assistant on feature films. She worked as an associate producer at WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Va., and a production assistant at NBC Sports On-Air Promotions, before joining the staff of ESPN Regional Television as an associate producer in 2002.
Stephanie is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Va., where she earned bachelor’s degrees in mass communications and accounting information systems.
She is married to Lee.
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Jane was born in Burlington, N.C. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University (Class of 1981) with a bachelor’s degree in business and math.
Jane began her career in 1981 at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C., where she served as music and youth associate until 1992. Her musical duties included accompanying the choir, music selection and directing the youth handbell choir. In addition to providing support to youth Sunday School teachers, Jane coordinated the church’s Sunday night youth program.
She served as music ministry associate at Matthews United Methodist Church in Matthews, N.C. from 1994 – 2000 where, in addition to music ministries, she developed a contemporary worship service. Just before being named music director at Pineville UMC, Jane was director of music ministries and visitor/new member coordinator at Harrison United Methodist Church in Pineville, N.C.
Jane is currently president of the PTSA at South Mecklenburg High School and is a member of the Central Carolinas Emmaus Community.
She is married to Mark and they have three sons, Jonathan, Daniel and Michael.
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Jim Lowery, organist
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Elaine has dedicated her life to education. She particularly enjoys exploring the Word through small group Bible studies, developing spiritual questions and talking to people about their faith. At Pineville UMC, Elaine is involved in our growing Sunday School program; group Bible studies including Disciple classes and Vacation Bible School; and our older adult ministry.
She was born in Bennettsville, S.C. and was raised in Rockingham, N.C. Elaine received a Bachelor of Arts in history and education from Meredith College in 1969 and received a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in May 2009.
Before joining the Pineville UMC staff in 1992, Elaine served the Scotland County School System as a secondary school teacher from 1969 –1971. She joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System in 1972 and taught at Eastway Middle, East Mecklenburg High and Olympic High schools until 1976.
From 1979 – 1981, Elaine served as co-director and teacher of Pineville UMC’s playschool. She worked as a teacher at Sharon Presbyterian Church’s Weekday School from 1983 – 1984 and again from 1990 – 1992.
She and husband Max, an associate at Duke Energy, have three children, Zeb (and wife Hope), Amy and Ben, and a granddaughter.
Diana previously held the position of Program Director/Administrator for Mom’s House, Inc. in Dover, DE, where she managed the overall operation of the non-profit childcare facility. Prior to that, Diana served as the Community Center Director for The Salvation Army—Dover Corps. Here she developed and managed the Summer Camp, After School Care program, Soup Kitchen, and volunteer programs. While in college in IN, Diana served as the Youth/Assistant Pastor at Pleasantdale United Methodist Church. Diana holds a Bachelor Degree in Christian Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts Degree in Religion from Liberty University. She was commissioned for the Chaplaincy with Marketplace Chaplains USA. Diana resides in SC and enjoys the entertainment of her three boys, playing softball, and staying active in the community.
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