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 Our
Pastor, Dr. J. Christian Wilson A native of Winston-Salem,
Chris was educated at Duke University, where he received
his A.B. degree in 1967, M.Div. summa cum laude, 1970,
Th.M. summa cum laude, 1972, and Ph.D. in Biblical
Studies, 1977. He was ordained deacon in the Western
North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
in 1970, and elder in the North Carolina Conference
in 1970. He has served churches in the Tennessee Conference,
North Carolina Conference, and Western North Carolina
Conference. He has served as a United Methodist college
chaplain at Tennessee Wesleyan College in the Holston
Conference and Greensboro College. He also taught in
the Religion Departments of both of the colleges, as
well as in the Religious Studies Department at Elon
University. He is the author of four books, the most
recent of which, Jesus and the Pleasures, was published
by Augsburg in 2003. He has written more than 30 articles
and book reviews for scholarly journals and clergy journals,
including New Testament Studies, The Journal of Biblical
Literature, Interpretation, The Christian Century, Circuit
Rider, and Lectionary Helps. He also has articles in
The Anchor Bible Dictionary and Eerdmans Dictionary
of the Bible. He has written young adult and adult Bible
Studies for numerous United Methodist publications,
most recently his article, "The Covenant in the Bible"
appeared in the Fall 2006 Adult Bible Studies teacher's
book. Chris is married to Marianne. They have two children
John, who lives in Carrboro, NC and April, who lives
in Philadelphia, PA. They have two grandchildren, Madeline
and Jack.
 Minister
of Education, Norma Walter received the
Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Baldwin-Wallace
College and the Master of Music Degree from West Virginia
University. After teaching public school music for 19
years she served as Music Director, Organist and Program
Director at West End Presbyterian Church in West End,
North Carolina for 14 years. Her duties at that church
included Christian Education and Youth Ministry. She
served as Minister of Music at Chestnut Street United
Methodist in Lumberton, North Carolina for 8 years at
which time she was ordained a Diaconal Minister in the
United Methodist Church. At FUMC in addition to the
Christian Education Programs she serves as Chancel Choir
Accompanist and Adult Handbell Choir Director.
 Organist,
Dr. George R. Walter, retired in 2007 from
the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he
taught organ, piano, music history, church music, and
music appreciation for 40 years and where he holds the
title, Professor Emeritus. He earned degrees from West
Virginia University (B.M. and Ph.D.) and Indiana University
(M.M.). In 2004 he was presented North Carolina's highest
civilian award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, by
Governor Mike Easley and the Orpheus Award for "significantly
and lastingly contributing to the cause of music in
America" by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Professional Men's
Music Fraternity. In addition, he has served in a number
of offices for the North Carolina Music Teachers Association
including president, membership vice-president, and
treasurer. Prior to accepting his present position at
FUMC, he served as organist at Trinity Episcopal Church
in Lumberton and Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern
Pines. George and Norma have two grown children (Adrienne and Mark) and two grandchildren (Gavin and Gabrielle).
 Minister of Youth & Recreation, Matt Harrold is a Wilkes County native and a 2008 graduate of High Point University with a B.A. in Religion. Matt is pictured here with his wife Sarah, whom he married shortly after graduation in August of 2008. His future plans include pursuing a Masters degree in Christian Education or a related field. Matt demonstrates his love of God and love of young people in all areas of his ministry.
 Janice Burchette, the church’s new Administrative Assistant, and her husband David recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They have a daughter, Lauren, who is attending Pharmacy School at Campbell University. She hopes to receive her doctorate in Pharmacy and masters in Clinical Research by May 2012. Their younger daughter, Abby, is a student at East Wilkes Middle School where she plays basketball, sings in the chorus and is involved in various other activities. As a family, they like to travel and camp, but mostly enjoy going on church sponsored mission trips. Janice and her family are active members of Macedonia Baptist Church in Ronda where she is co-director of Vacation Bible School, assistant director of women's missions and Sunday School secretary.
 David Brooks, FUMC Music Director, is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he received his BM in Choral Music Education. Mr. Brooks has studied voice with Randall Outland, the resident tenor at ASU. David is also currently the choral director at Wilkes Central High School. He grew up in a family that housed two choral directors and a brother that performed as well. He has sung professionally along side of his brother in Myrtle Beach, S.C., performing in P.G. Productions, “High Steppin’ Country.” Mr. Brooks has now become more of a teacher than a performer who earns superior ratings at state competitions. He is a member of both MENC and ACDA and has just been elected to the high school choral board of NCMEA as a member at large. Along with his choral duties at Wilkes Central High School, he is also a member of the football coaching staff. He is married to Laura Snipes Brooks who also teaches at Wilkes Central High.
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