This page is provided to introduce you to the staff of our church. The write-ups/biographies/resumes and photographs were provided by the people named, themselves.

Jonathan Marlowe
Co-Pastor

I was born in Charleston, SC. I grew up in Methodist parsonages in the South Carolina conference where my father served as a pastor. I consider my hometown to be Sumter, SC, where I graduated high school in 1987. During my early years, I was shaped and formed by many wonderful Christians who taught me about the love of God and the grace of Jesus Christ. My parents and church kept their baptismal promises to raise me in a Christian environment, and when I was in 6th grade I was confirmed and decided for myself to follow Christ. I remember one time in particular during a UMYF retreat when I experienced the grace of God in a particularly powerful and refreshing way. My faith in Christ grew through the years, and I carried it with me into adulthood. (Rather than saying I carried my faith into my adulthood, it would be more accurate to say that my faith carried me into adulthood.)

I attended college at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. I quickly became interested in the study of theology. I also was active in the Methodist Campus Ministry, where I met Angela, who later became my wife. One summer during college, I worked at the United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the end of that summer, I felt called of God to become an ordained minister, and so after graduating from Emory, I enrolled in Duke Divinity School.

While I was in seminary, Angela and I got married, and after graduating from Duke, I served as an associate pastor at two different churches in the Charlotte area. I then served as pastor of Prospect UMC in Monroe and Shiloh UMC in Granite Quarry (near Salisbury). I see my vocation as pastor to be one of teacher, preacher, spiritual guide, and trusted friend. I have served beyond the local church in the conference as a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the board of managers for the N. C. pastors' school and Duke Convocation.

I am an avid sports fan: I pull for Duke in basketball and South Carolina in football. I also love Braves baseball and the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. I enjoy walking, reading, making new friends, telling stories, and teasing my wife. 

Angela Marlowe
Co-Pastor

I was born in Charlotte (April 10) and attended Independence High School, graduating in 1984. My parents still live in the house where I was raised. I have one sister, Amy Raynor and a brother in law Brian. They have twins - Brianna and Cole, which are our miracle children. Ask me about their story some time, I love to share it. As a child and youth I was very active in church and Girl Scouting. In scouting I earned my Gold Award and was a camp counselor. In church I sang in the youth choir, played handbells, and played my guitar.

After high school I attended Emory University in Atlanta. During college I was extremely active in Wesley Fellowship, the Methodist college ministry. This is where Jonathan and I met. That is an interesting story I love to share. At the beginning of college I was planning to attend medical school and spent my time and energy in math and science classes. For fun I took a few religion classes and psychology classes. The summer before my junior year in college I worked at Camp Tekoa, the conference summer camp. I loved the fact that no matter what we did with the children and youth - it was in the framework of learning more about God and their faith. I was hooked. I knew that whatever I did - it was to be in the framework of the church. The next summer, I worked at a local United Methodist Church as a summer intern. There I had my first opportunity to preach. Again I was hooked. I had accidently stumbled into my true calling. God had led me into local church ministry where I could preach, teach, and work with children, youth, and adults. I changed my major to religion and psychology and graduated in 1988. I stayed at Emory and attended Candler School of Theology, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1991.

Since seminary I have served churches in Cornelius, Indian Trail, and Salisbury. Jonathan and I were married during my first appointment on May 22, 1993. Over the next few years, life was filled with young children and church life. In 2008, I received my Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from Hood Theological Seminary. I have served and continue to serve on many district and conference committees. I am presently serving at the Chair of the Commission on Equitable Compensation for the annual conference.

I enjoy watching many different types of sports and pulling for my favorite teams. I love surfing the web on my laptop and listening to music on my ipod. At this point I do not blog or tweet.

Jim Gunn
Director of Music 

Full Name: James Palmer Gunn, but I prefer to be called Jim

Born: July 29, 1960 in Reidsville, NC, but I consider McLeansville, NC my hometown.

Family: My wife Tina and I were married July 7, 1984. We have four children; Shelli, Nathan, Adam, and Katie.

Education/Music Background: Graduated in 1982 from N. C. State University. While at N. C. State, I was a member the NCSU Brass Band, Fanfare Band and Marching Band, serving as Drum Major from 1979-1980. I also participated in the NCSU Choral Department’s Varsity Men’s Glee Club.

I have been an active member of the Gibsonville United Methodist Church since 1984 and a member of the Chancel Choir since 1987.

Favorites: Music: Contemporary Praise & Worship and Modern Country (Wow! What a combo, right!?!?)

Movie: Gone with the Wind

TV Shows: All the CSI shows, Survivor, and ER (but I rarely get to watch any of them)

Food: Chinese

Vacation: Just about any Beach

Place to Eat: Harpers at Friendly Center

Books/Author: John Grisham novels and the Harry Potter series

Susan Pyles
Organist, Pianist