Rev. Dr. Thomas Gibson
Lead Pastor
Tom Gibson has served as a pastor in this conference since 1978. He served his first parish appointment at Pisgah UMC in Winston-Salem, then Williamson’s Chapel in Mooresville, where he helped that congregation develop into one of the fastest growing churches in Western North Carolina. He has also guided Morris Chapel in Walkertown, the Boone UMC, and St. Luke’s church in Hickory in ways that have helped those congregations become dynamic witnesses for Jesus Christ. Born in Georgia, Tom grew up in Ocala, Florida, and then in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has a B.A degree in Political Science & Constitutional Law from Furman University, a M.Div. from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and a D. Min. from the Columbia Theological Seminary. In addition to his service as a local pastor, Tom has also served as a U.S. Air Force Chaplain, a hospital Chaplain at NCBH, and an associate chaplain with Motor Racing Outreach Ministry (MROA) to the NASCAR community.
Tom has been married to Robin for 29 years. Together, they seek to bring others to Christ, and help develop them into fully devoted disciples of the faith. They have three grown children (Beth - Sam- Laurie) who give them tremendous joy as they pursue God’s purposes in their lives.
Rev. Ben Carson
Pastor
Ben joined the staff of GCUMC in the summer of 2008 and is really excited to be a part of this congregation. He has a degree in Business Management from N.C. State and a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. He moves to Greensboro from Wilmore, Kentucky, but originally hails from Rutherfordton, N.C., a place that most consider "small town friendly."
Ben is passionate about meeting new people and hearing their stories. He also tries to lend a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves, and seeks to share the love of God with everyone!
Ben is an avid sports fan (Go Wolfpack!) and enjoys playing all kinds of sports and activities. He prefers to spend as much time outdoors as possible, and loves hiking, camping, biking and backpacking. He is married to Jenny and together they feel blessed to be able to serve GCUMC!
Rev. Jack Kayler
Pastor of Visitation
Jack comes to us with a tremendous background in pastoral ministry and is one of the most highly respected ministers in the Western North Carolina Conference. He and his wife, Claudette, have recently moved to our area.
Donna G. Ford,
Director of Christian Education
Donna joined the staff of GCUMC in 1999 and feels blessed to be in ministry here. She is responsible for overseeing the educational needs of all ages in the church, including Sunday School, Confirmation, Children’s Ministry, Elf Gang, and Family Life. She is also a Stephen Ministry Leader and serves as Referrals Coordinator for Stephen Ministry.
Donna attended UNC-G and completed graduate studies in Christian Education at Pfeiffer University. She is Certified in Christian Education by The United Methodist Church. Donna serves as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator for the Greensboro District. She is a member of the National and Western North Carolina Conference Christian Educators Fellowship and serves on the WNCC CEF Board. She also serves on the Western North Carolina Conference Deaf Ministry Board of Directors.
Donna enjoys living her passion through her vocational call to ministry. She is enthusiastic about nurturing a life-changing, transforming faith in God’s children of all ages.
Send Donna a message at dford@guilfordcollegeumc.org.
Sabrina D. Isenhour
Director of Youth/ Young Adult Ministries
Prior to coming to GCUMC, Sabrina worked in the medical field, but after working extensively as a volunteer in youth ministry at University City UMC in Charlotte, Sabrina felt called to full-time youth ministry. Her responsibilities are to coordinate all youth ministries and oversee our ministry to young adults.
Send Sabrina a message at sisenhour@guilfordcollegeumc.org.
Joyce Y. Thee
Director of Music
As the Director of Music, Joyce is responsible for the administration of the total music ministry, which includes three children's choirs, a handbell choir, and two adult choirs.
She directs the choirs for two worship services weekly, as well as other special programs and music ministries during the year. She has a Master of Music Education degree from Murray State University in Kentucky and has done additional graduate work at the University of Illinois, Wake Forest, East Carolina, and UNC-G. She is a retired music educator with over 30 years of music teaching in public schools in Missouri, Illinois, and North Carolina. She has been involved in church music since 1980 and has been director of music at GCUMC since 1994.
She has participated in the Music and Worship conferences at Lake Junaluska and Montreat, NC, and has attended the Church Music Explosion at Coral Ridge, FL, and the Hinshaw Music workshop and reading clinic held yearly in Chapel Hill, NC. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and a member of the American Choral Director's Association. In her spare time, she enjoys singing with the Choral Society of Greensboro, where she is a member of the board of directors.
Send Joyce a message at jthee@guilfordcollegeumc.org.
Joyce Kemmerer
Pianist
Joyce Kemmerer received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Meredith College in 1977, and has done post-graduate study at UNC-G. She has worked with children's choirs and music ministries at various area churches. She maintains a private piano studio, and in her spare time enjoys accompanying the choirs at Western Guilford High School. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota national professional music fraternity for women. Joyce serves as the pianist/accompanist for worship services, and accompanies children's choirs and the adult choirs.
Carol Ingram
Administrative Assistant
If you have a question about the church or a church member, Carol is the one to call. She has a gift for remembering names and knowing where to find things.
Send Carol a message at cingram@guilfordcollegeumc.org.
Crystal Drum
Director of Finance
Prior to coming to GCUMC, Crystal worked in corporate accounting as a controller and also worked in education, teaching accounting at several area colleges. Please call Crystal for information on contributions, church budgets, or other church finance issues.
Send Crystal a message at cdrum@guilfordcollegeumc.org.
Robin Carter
Preschool Director
Robin has a degree from UNC-Greensboro in Child Development and Family Relations and has completed several intensive leadership training programs at Farr Associates, Inc. She has worked for GCUMC since 1981. Throughout her career, she has been a Child Development consultant for other programs as well as facilitated Child Development and Spiritual seminars in the Triad area. Her personal mission is to 'touch a life' because 'you never know when you will make a memory.'
When not at the Preschool, Robin creates enrichment/cultural programs for Senior citizens as well as for children. She also hosts art and literary events for the community in her home, Deer Cottage. Robin continues her studies at UNC-G.
Contact Robin at 294-6730.