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Our Mission: To welcome people to faith in Jesus Christ, equip us with faith that helps to grow, and send us into the world to serve.

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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. "Co-pastors reach out" was an article by Adrienne Owens that appeared in the Burlington, NC newspaper.

Rev. David Greene Senior Pastor
Rev. Lara "Willis" Greene Associate Pastor
Amy Whitesell Lay Leader
Edith Younger Secretary
Jim Gunn Director of Music 
Brenda Ramaswamy Organist/Pianist
Kibble Davis Custodian
 

Dr. David Greene
Senior Pastor

Full Name: David Scott Greene

Born where and when: Waynesville , North Carolina , February 27, 1963

Hometown: I consider Shelby , N.C. to be my home.

Family: Married to Lara on August 21, 1993. We have two children, Elizabeth and Carter.

Education: BS Textile Mgmt. NC State University 1985;   M.Div. Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 1994; Matriculated in Doctor of Ministry Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University 2002.

How I became a Christian: I grew up attending a Methodist congregation in Shelby . I was also involved in Young Life and F.C.A. After graduating from NC State I worked for a Swiss company in Charlotte . It was during this period, in my mid 20s, that I got connected with an outdoor ministry that eventually led me into being called.  

What I do around here:  To help this congregation  be and do all  that God wants us to be and do. Also, I hope to help persons take issues of faith seriously while at the same time having a great deal of fun.

Favorites:

Music: Sam Bush, Allison Kraus, Michael Card

Food: Barbecue (BarBQ)  from Shelby

Dessert: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Free Time: Playing with Elizabeth and Carter, reading, pulling for Carolina Panthers and NC State Wolfpack

Some of My Favorite Authors: Philip Yancey, Eugene Peterson, Richard Foster, Will Willimon, Stephen Ambrose

 

Rev. Lara "Willis" Greene
Associate Pastor

Full Name: Lara Williams Greene

But Please Call Me: Willis -- a nickname which I've had since 2nd grade -- it comes from my maiden name, Williams

Born Where & When: Dallas, Texas -- September 25, the year is not important

Family Facts: Married to David and we have two children, Elizabeth who is 5 years old (this was written in 2004) and Carter who is 3 years old

Education: BA from the University of Texas in 1990; Masters of Divinity from the Chandler School of Theology, Emory University in 1994

How I became a Christian: I received the faith through my youth minister, Bob Fletcher and through the incredible experiences we shared on overseas mission trips

How I ended up at Gibsonville, UMC: Dave and I met and were married while we were in seminary in Atlanta. While I love Dallas and still have friends and family there, I loved the mountains of North Carolina more! Our first appointments were in Shelby, NC and Lincolnton, NC, from there we moved to Winston-Salem and next in line was Gibsonville.

The most important thing I do around here is: Introduce opportunities for children and youth to experience the presence of God in their lives!

Favorites:

Music: James Taylor, Allison Krauss and contemporary praise music (but in reality, we listen to Barney and Disney Playhouse in the van!)

Movie: Hello! We have a 3 year old and a 5 year old -- we haven't been to the movies in awhile!

TV Show: Same as movies! With our children there's not a lot of extra time to watch TV -- but the last time I found myself in front of the TV each week was the first two seasons of The West Wing.

Food: Mexican (remember, I'm from Texas!)

Place to vacation: The beach at Ocean Isle, NC

Place to eat: Outback

How I spend my free time: Reading, playing with Elizabeth and Carter

Best books I've read recently: Expecting Adam, The Secret Life of Bees, Big Russ and Me

Prized possession: My mother's gold Baum & Mercier watch

Hero I'd most like to meet: My great grandmother who traveled from Italy as a young single woman to make a new life in the United States

Favorite saying to live by: This life is not a dress rehearsal.

Jim Gunn
Director of Music 

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

Born: July 29, 1960 in Reidsville, NC, but 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

Brenda Ramaswamy
Organist/Pianist

Brenda received a Bachelor of Music from the College of Wooster, Ohio and a Masters in Piano from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro (UNCG). Brenda and her husband, Anand "Ram" have two children, Cassie and Conner.

 

 

Send mail to EBALES@triad.rr.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: August 31, 2007