FUMCFW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Program Director
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- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of Committee
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- Member of the Building Committee
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- Financial Assistant of First Street Methodist Mission
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- Member of the Board of Directors
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- Vice President of the Foundation
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- Chairman of the Building Committee
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- Member of the Building Committee
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- Director of First Street Methodist Mission
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- Member of the Board
- Member of Committee
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- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Associate Pastor of Service
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- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Dementia Friendly Fort Worth Board
- Library
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Charme Robarts has been a member at FUMCFW since 2010 and is a member of the 11:11 congregation. Born and raised in Dalton, Georgia, she graduated from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas where she received a master's degree in biblical studies. Charme is a frequent teacher in various Sunday morning classes as well as the leader of the Living Through Grief Groups for FUMC. Occasionally she brings the messages to the DiscipleChurch and 11:11.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
- Communications
- the Gathering Music Leader
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
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- Finance Chair
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Receptionist & Gathering Assistant
Dr. Lamar E. Smith answered the call to the ministry for these reasons: "My love of people, my love for the Methodist Church, and my respect for my parents, for whom the ministry and church were vitally important. I appreciate the opportunities to serve people on some of the most important days of their lives."
Lamar has a passion for travel, visiting Israel seven times, and 29 other countries. He also enjoys reading and golf. One of his favorite quotes is by Mark Twain, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why."
Born in Jasper, Texas, Lamar grew up in Mineola, graduating from high school there and continuing to Texas Wesleyan University and Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He was the sixth of eight children and loved being part of a large family. He has three children: Dell Smith Wood, L. Edward Smith II and E. Hudgens Smith.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor of Leadership Development
- Supervisor of Preschool & PDO
Mike was born in Mt. Morris, Illinois; a small town northwest of Chicago. Most of his family lives in the Midwest. They occasionally see him as "rather confused" and living a long way from home - but they also know how thrilled he is to be in Fort Worth! Mike attended Centenary College in Shreveport (along with Tim & Susan Bruster) and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in Christian Education. He moved to Denver to attend the Iliff School of Theology and graduated in 1984 with a Master of Divinity degree. And his academic "career" ended in 1996, when he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. From 1984-1996, he served four United Methodist churches in the Chicago suburbs.
Mike moved to Fort Worth in January of 1997 to become an Associate Pastor here at First United Methodist Church. His "first stint" was from 1997-2005. For three years, he served as the Senior Pastor of FUMC in Burleson. His "second stint" at FUMCFW began in October of 2008, when he returned as the Executive Pastor. Serving here is the greatest blessing of his vocational life, and something that he will never take for granted.
Mike's wife Jan grew up in Van Alstyne, TX, and is familiar to many people as a singer with Choral Union and Adoramus. They have blended a family of three children and three grandchildren. Adam Wood and his wife Jami live in Madison, WI with their young children Aaron and Micah. Katie Marshall Lancarte and her husband Neal live in Benbrook. They welcomed their son Henry in October of 2020. Ben Marshall lives and works in the Metroplex, and is the best "Daddy" you can imagine to his dog, Ronan!
Job Titles:
- Senior Pastor
- Co - Senior Pastor
- Member of Committee
- President of the Central Texas Annual Conference Council
Dr. Tim Bruster currently serves as senior pastor of the 6,000-member First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Centenary College in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. In 1985 he graduated Cum Laude from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University with a Master of Divinity and went on to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching and worship in 1991, also from Perkins.
Prior to his appointment to First UMC Fort Worth in 2003, Bruster served seven years as senior pastor of First UMC Georgetown. From 1993 - 1996, he served as pastor of the Westchase Campus of First UMC in Houston and was responsible for the overall evangelism ministries for both the Westchase and Downtown Campuses. He served as associate pastor of Preaching and Program Administration at Marvin UMC in Tyler from 1991 - 1993, and pastor at Noonday UMC in Tyler from 1986 - 1991 and Bascom UMC in Tyler from 1984 - 1986. While a student, he was an intern/associate pastor at First UMC in Texarkana from 1983 - 1984, chaplain intern at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas in 1983, and pastor of the Church Hill Circuit in Henderson from 1980 - 1983.
Beyond the local church, Bruster has served as president of the Central Texas Annual Conference Council on Finance & Administration. He led the Central Texas Conference delegation to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional Conferences and was elected to the 2012 delegation, as well. He serves on the General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church, the Board of Trustees of Texas Wesleyan University, the Perkins School of Theology Executive Board at SMU, the Board of Trustees of the Texas Methodist Foundation, the Advisory Board of the Centenary College Christian Leadership Center and the YWCA Racial Justice Committee. He has served two terms on the Board of Directors of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. and a term on the Board of the Tarrant Area Community of Churches. Tim has been a member of the Downtown Fort Worth Rotary Club since 2003.
He and his wife, Susan, live in Fort Worth and have three grown daughters: Sarah, who is married to Stephen Pepper, Katie, and Emily. They are also the proud grandparents of Alice Pepper.
He is a licensed pilot and his primary hobby is aviation. He also enjoys family outings, reading, travel and music.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor of Grace Groups & Discipleship
Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez was born in the former USSR, where her father served in the military and her mother worked as an elementary school teacher. At the age of 12, Zhenya and her mother joined the Russian Baptist church in Krymsk, Russia.
After graduating from high school, Zhenya studied cross-cultural communication (English major and Spanish minor) at Voronezh State University in Voronezh, Russia. In Voronezh, Zhenya discovered New Commandment United Methodist Church.
Soon she got involved in the youth ministry and outreach ministry at New Commandment. She also worked as a pastor's interpreter and facilitated his communication with Rockwall First United Methodist Church in Rockwall, Texas.
After graduating from college, Zhenya discerned that God was calling her to the ministry in the United Methodist Church. She applied to Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, and in 2006, Zhenya came to Fort Worth to begin work on her Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree at Brite.
While working on her MDiv, Zhenya also served as Children's Minister at Christ United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, and then as a pastor at Nueva Vida United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, working primarily with the immigrant community from Mexico and Central America.
In 2012 Zhenya was ordained as an elder in Rio Grande Annual Conference. She then got to work on her PhD in Biblical Studies, also at Brite. In May, 2019 Zhenya graduated from Brite Divinity School with her PhD in Biblical Studies.
She lives in Benbrook with her husband, Edwin Rodriguez, their son, Theo, and their five pups.
Job Titles:
- Worship Coordinator, Wedding Consultant & Youth Choir Admin
Elaine Johnson wanted to reconnect with the church at the same time she was searching for a job. Her mother, who is a retired Deacon, saw Rev. Phyllis McDougal at a church conference, and she told her the church needed some help. "The job fell in my lap, and the rest is history," says Elaine.
Elaine loves the people she works with and the family atmosphere at FUMC. She also enjoys connecting with other members of the congregation.
Outside of her work at church, Elaine is very involved in her children's activities, including the PTA. She likes to camp, hike, scrapbook, knit, crochet and read.
Born and raised in Arlington Texas, Elaine married her Arlington High School sweetheart, Rod, in December 1991. They have two children, Jenny and Michael. Her family also includes Bud, a 120-pound bloodhound that thinks he is a lap dog. An animal lover, she also has a rabbit, and a small pond with 20 goldfish.
Elaine holds a B.B.A. in Business Education and a B.A. in Dance Education from Texas Woman's University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
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- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Advisory Director
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to Sid Johnston
Job Titles:
- Children 's Ministries Event Coordinator
Job Titles:
- President of the Foundation
- Foundation President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Janet started working for the church after introductions through a family member. "Through watching the service on TV in the 80s with my family, I became aware of the wonderful things the church did."
Janet has worn a lot of hats at FUMCFW. Beginning in 1988, she held a variety of positions in the Children's and Parent's Day Out Departments. Then in 2002 she was offered a place in the Business Office. Her favorite part of her current role is all the detail work she enjoys doing.
When Janet's not spending time with family and friends, you can find her reading, sewing, and working on crafts. She lives in northern Tarrant County with Kelley, her husband of 37 years. Their daughter, Ginnie, and her husband, Trey, were married at FUMCFW in 2013, and they live right around the corner. Janet and Kelley still have their boys at home: two 12-year-old cats named Leo and Foley, along with a German Shepherd named Kaiser.
Job Titles:
- Children 's Ministries Assistant
Janice received a B.S. in Spanish and English from McMurry University in Abilene, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Texas Tech University. After 32 years in education as a teacher, curriculum director, principal, and superintendent, Janice was ready for a change.
She has taught Sunday School classes and helped out with Vacation Bible School at FUMCFW in the past and enjoyed these connections. So when a position opened up in the Children's Ministries, Janice says she felt like it was an answer to her prayers. "I enjoy the great people here and the variety that my job offers," Janice says. "I look forward to coming in every day!"
In her spare time, Janice likes to spend time with family, travel, nap, cook, ride motorcycles with her friends, and lead Weight Watchers classes. Her daughter, Katie, is 19 years old and is attending Tarrant County College this fall. "She is my pride and joy!" Janice exclaims. Katie's friend, Lilly, is 18 and also lives with them. Janice says, "She is a sweetheart!" They have a Rat Terrier named Minnie, along with two cats named Tarzan and Rascal.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Assistant Director of First Street Methodist Mission
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- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Member of Personnel Committee
Job Titles:
- Legal Director
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
- Attorney, Methodist Justice Ministry
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Staff Parish Relations Chair
Job Titles:
- Director of Youth Ministries
Kat was born and raised in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. She graduated from Brentwood High School and received a B.A. and M.A. from Miami University in Ohio. Kat is currently working toward a Masters in Youth Ministry at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary as a part of the Center for Youth Ministry Training.
Kat formed her relationship with Christ through the faithful ministry of youth workers and volunteers. "I have seen how youth ministry can empower teenagers, uniquely able to question the world as it is and imagine it how it could be, to use that missional imagination to shape their faith, and the world around them," she says. "I just want to be a part of what the Holy Spirit is up to here at FUMC Fort Worth!"
Kat's favorite thing about Youth Ministry is the opportunity to watch teenagers begin to discover the people God shaped them to be. As she describes it, "That moment where the lightbulb clicks on, that first moment where you feel like you're exactly where you're supposed to be, is a gift to witness in youth."
Job Titles:
- Financial Assistance Coordinator
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- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
- Member of Committee
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- FUMC Day School Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Council Chair - Elect
- Lay Leader
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- Middle School Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Business Administrator
- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Director of Security
- Manager
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Building Committee
Don Lee joins our church staff as Manager of Security. Don, who previously worked at Broadway Baptist Church as its Director of Security for nearly 14 years, says he is excited about his transition to this new role in helping guide and direct the security of our church. In addition to serving as our weekday onsite security, Don will serve on our newly formed Hospitality Safety and Security Committee to help guide its security planning and assist with training volunteers to assist with Sunday morning security. Don will be on duty here each week, Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm and 7:30 - 12:30 on Sundays. He will also be tasked with scheduling any additional security coverage needed on his days off and evenings.
Don says what he enjoys most about his work is the interaction he gets to have with all kinds of different people - getting to know them and helping them out however he can while still holding the line in terms of compliance with rules, regulations and policies. "You can be nice and compassionate and helpful," he says, "and still be as firm as you need to be."
And, in even the most challenging situations he faces, Don says that he has found that kindness and follow-through are key to establishing himself as a protector of our church who is also looking out for all the people who enter our doors. "Once people know me, they know they can trust me to be fair - and when I say I'll do something, I'll do it," he adds.
As an ex-military, ex-border patrol officer, Don says the difference between what he does now as a church security officer and the more hands-on law enforcement he has done in the past is that "this is the Lord's work - much more about compassion and helping all kinds of different people." Expressing gratitude and appreciation for his time at Broadway Baptist Church, Don says that he views joining our staff as a new blessing and a challenge he gladly embraces as the next step on his professional and personal journey. "The Lord has opened this door for me," he says, "how could I not go through it?"
Job Titles:
- President of the Dementia Friendly Fort Worth Board
Job Titles:
- Attorney, Methodist Justice Ministry
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the First Street Methodist Mission Board
- Director of First Street Methodist Mission
Job Titles:
- Executive Associate of First Methodist Church Foundation, Inc
Job Titles:
- Director of Welcoming Ministries
Job Titles:
- Program Director
- Director of Children 's Ministries
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator
- DFFW Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Program Director
- Associate Director of Youth Ministries
- Director of Youth Ministries
Job Titles:
- Member of Personnel Committee
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- Methodist Justice Ministry Development Director
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- Director of Communications
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- Member of Personnel Committee
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- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Youth Ministries Assistant
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- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
- Ex Officio
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
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- Director of FUMC Day School
- Ex - Officio Members
Nina Burrows has always been involved in education, holding positions as a textbook editor, first grade teacher, reading specialist, preschool teacher and now, preschool director. "I love working with children and find my job to be rewarding and fun. Kids are just always making me learn and making my laugh."
Nina was born and raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey ─ a long way from Texas. "This church and this school were such a support as Mark and I raised our children, especially since my mom lives on the east coast. I think it's extremely important for children to grow up with lots of people around them who care for them. We don't always have families close by, but we do offer an amazing school family."
Sharing her thoughts about early education, Nina says, "I think that we are putting more and more academic pressure on our children at a younger and younger age. It is true that they are capable of amazing things, but they only get one childhood. Our school does a great job of preparing kids for school without putting too much pressure on them. Kids love coming to preschool, and they learn so much while they are here. We do a wonderful job of preparing them for school; I think we foster a love of learning, too."
Nina is married to Director of Children's and Family Ministries, Mark Burrows. They met as teachers at an elementary school in Dallas and have two girls. Nina says the girls are "the center of our lives." The family's newest addition is a chocolate Labrador named Hazel.
Nina holds a B.A. from Dickinson College and an M.A. from Texas Women's University. In her spare time, she likes to run, read, and rest.
Job Titles:
- Methodist Justice Ministry Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Business Office & Stewardship Assistant
Olivia says she knows there is a reason why God placed her here at FUMCFW. She first came to the church as a client of the Methodist Justice Ministry as she was seeking guardianship of her siblings for whom she had been caring. After she received help, Olivia was introduced to the Business Office staff and offered a job as their administrative assistant.
Since she enjoys being organized, Olivia's favorite part of the job is using her organizational skills to assist the "awesome team" she works with here. "It is my passion to help people," Olivia exclaims. "From the moment I stepped into the church, I knew that everyone here shares that same passion."
Olivia graduated from Granbury High School, and she is currently attending Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus where she is pursuing a degree in Nursing. She hopes to one day become a traveling nurse so she can fulfill her dreams of traveling the world as a missionary while also caring for people in need.
Throughout her life, Olivia's journey has always been linked to helping other people, but she just never saw that as serving them. As she's grown to know herself better, she's discovered that she has a huge heart that wants what's best for her and for others. Olivia now lives to serve, and that brings her great fulfillment. "The church has been such a blessing in my life," she adds. "I am so happy to get the opportunity to pay it forward through my work."
When she's not working, Olivia enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, hiking, exploring, napping, and trying new foods. She lives in Weatherford with her boyfriend, Ryan; her three younger siblings, Matthew, Caylin, and Allison; and their dog, Bruce. They love going on outdoor family adventures whenever they get the chance.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Foundation
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the First Street Methodist Mission Board
- President of the Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Parents' Day Out & Nursery
- PDO Director
Paula Wagstaff was born in Fort Worth and is a lifelong member of FUMCFW. She graduated from Richland High School and holds a degree in Child Development. Her love of this church and children led her to service.
She has been married to Patrick for 19 years. They have two children, Lainey and Zachary, and four dogs! Paula enjoys crafts and Zumba.
Job Titles:
- Organist and Associate Director of Music & Worship Arts
Born in Hastings in Nebraska, Peggy graduated from Hastings Senior High School. She holds a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a master's degree in sacred music from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Before coming to FUMCFW, she served as church organist/pianist and assistant choir director at First UMC Grapevine for 14 years and taught choral music at Birdville High School for 14 years.
Even as a child, Peggy conducted worship services at home, complete with music and scripture."When I was in the fourth grade, I was called to be a Christian," she says, "and the ministry just came as a natural outgrowth of that."
She started playing piano in Sunday School when she was 11 years old and playing organ for the church when she was 13. "I feel like I have in my fingertips a direct connection to God. Playing the organ and the piano is like praying to me."
In playing for worship services, Peggy says she likes to add meaning to congregational hymns by providing harmonizations and "color" to the text. "For example," she explains, "if there's a verse that is not as uplifting - maybe it's a little more sorrowful, I'll play it in a minor tonality with a softer registration; for a verse that is more uplifting, I'll play more exuberantly.
Peggy says that she enjoys collaborating on ideas for the future of our Music and Worship Arts program and events that will take place at our church, as well as being with the people in Choral Union: "Is a lot of fun," she adds, "it's a great group of people!"
In her spare time Peggy likes spending time with her husband, Rev. Chuck Graff, whom she describes as her best friend, decorating the house, and being helpful to others.
In addition to her work with First Church, Peggy serves her profession as a mentor to young teachers, a judge and clinician for UIL choral competitions, and accompanist for band solo and ensemble contests and high school choir concerts.
Since the passing of her 14-year-old miniature dachshund, Scooter, she is currently between pets. She is stepmom to two lovely adult children, Sonia and Jonathan, and three grandchildren, Sadie, Macie, and Bella.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Dementia Friendly Fort Worth Board
- Treasurer of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
- Associate Director of Finance
- Ex - Officio
Job Titles:
- Legal Director of Methodist Justice Ministry
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries, Outreach Ministries Involvement
Rev. Charles (Chuck) Graff was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska (60 miles southeast of Lincoln). Chuck's father owned an independent insurance agency and his mother served as county judge, mother of three children and volunteer church organist in their local United Methodist Church for over 40 years. His grandfather, William A. Albright, served as a minister and district superintendent in the Kansas and Nebraska Annual Conferences.
Upon completion from high school, Chuck attended the University of Nebraska, Kearney, and graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree in Business Education. His father invited him to return home to run the insurance agency but Chuck's call led him instead to the ordained ministry. Following his college graduation, Chuck came to Laredo, Texas, to teach in a United Methodist mission school (Holding Institute). He packed his bags and moved into a dormitory that housed 25 boys from ages 12-19 from the U.S., Mexico, Central America and other countries. He studied conversational Spanish for two semesters at Laredo Junior College. Chuck taught high school classes (business education), coached basketball and soccer and played basketball with a professional team in Mexico City during the summer months. Teaching for five years in Laredo confirmed Chuck's call to the ordained ministry and he moved to Denver, Colorado, to attend Iliff School of Theology on the University of Denver campus. This seminary experience provided a wonderful opportunity for Chuck to study both theology and social work in both of their programs.
Chuck then began serving churches in the Nebraska Annual Conference where he served in western Nebraska, Lincoln and Omaha. He served there when Bishop Joel Martinez initiated the National Hispanic Plan and Chuck was part of a team that hosted the first training offered in the conference. He was active on the Conference Hispanic Committee. He also worked with Bishop Martinez to create a new storefront ministry in South Omaha.
Chuck transferred to the Central Texas Conference in 1998 to serve as Associate Pastor/Church Administrator at First United Methodist Church in Grapevine. While there, he helped raised funds for the budget and new sanctuary, supervised the offices and facility, led mission trips to Costa Rica and other locations, and assisted in worship and pastoral care. He has also served as senior minister at Davis Memorial United Methodist Church in North Richland Hills, leading another visioning and building renovation campaign there. He has served as chair of the Conference Hispanic Committee and Disaster Response Committee in the Central Texas Conference. Chuck currently serves as Associate Pastor with responsibilities in Local and International Missions, Disaster Response, Men's Ministries, Outdoor Retreat Ministries, Singles Ministries, and Pastoral Responsibilities.
Chuck enjoys reading, art and music; leading mission trips; golf; fishing and camping; travel and spending time with family. His spouse, Peggy, serves as Organist and Associate Director of Music & Worship Arts here at First Church. They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Senior Pastor
- Member of Committee
The theologian Frederick Buechner once wrote, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet," Rev. Lance Marshall, FUMCFW Senior Pastor, says he knows God's call on his life pairs his love for starting new things with reaching new people in need of hope and purpose.
Ever since joining the First Church staff in 2013, Lance has focused on finding new ways to engage new people with the good news of Christ's love, grace, and peace. He is passionate about teaching Scripture and discipleship in ways that are relevant, engaging, and life-giving. He would love to buy you a cup of coffee and hear your story-reach out and ask!
Born in Houston and raised in Colleyville, Lance is married to his best friend and Grapevine High School sweetheart, Elizabeth. They have four young children and reside in north Fort Worth. They love jumping on the trampoline, watching countless movies, and pizza every Friday night.
Lance's favorite way to relax is to spend time listening to podcasts and playing video games early in the morning. He's played the electric guitar since he was 13 and really should be better at it by now.
Lance graduated from The University of Texas with a B.S. in Communication Studies and from Brite Divinity School at TCU with an M.Div.
Rev. Larry Grubb says he answered a call to ministry because he wanted to help himself and others to "explore the limits of who we really are in a world of such promise." He continues. "Life is to be celebrated and enjoyed. I cherish the gift of being a person in the special time in which we live. I find great joy exploring the possibilities life offers us, learning from others and sharing the gift of relationships with interesting and beautiful people." He says he strives to live a life of unconditional love.
Larry has been on the staff at FUMC since 1974. "After many years serving as a minister of counseling in this church, I love being able to minister to our older and confined members. They are full of such beautiful history and wonderful stories. They are so appreciative of being remembered by their church."
Married to Patty for 59 years, they have three living children who Larry says, "all have wonderful partners in their lives." Their oldest daughter, physically and mentally challenged, died when she was 29 years old, in 1984.
When he is not ministering, Larry's hobby is working on antique clocks, and he likes to imagine the stories they could tell. "Imagine being on someone's mantle during the Civil War!" He also enjoys reading.
Larry was born in Shattuck, Oklahoma, and his father was a Methodist minister. He spent most of his early life in Western Oklahoma. He holds a B.A. from Oklahoma City University and an M.Div. from Garrett Theological Seminary.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor of Adult Education
As an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church (UMC), Linda has been happily serving the UMC for 29 years and FUMCFW for over 18 years. Linda graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, where she received a bachelor's degree with honors. After completing an additional minor in history, Linda received a certificate in secondary education from Texas Christian University (TCU). She then attained her master of divinity degree, with highest honors, from the Brite Divinity School at TCU. She currently serves as Senior Associate Pastor at FUMCFW with primary responsibilities in overseeing worship.
Linda really enjoys teaching the Bible and engaging people in theology discussions. Beginning with Disciple Bible Study, she has led weekly study groups for more than 27 years. "I find teaching the Bible to be one of the most rewarding parts of ministry. Not only do I enjoy engaging with people who ask the deeper questions of faith, I find that my own faith is enhanced in dialogue with others who are seeking to be faithful disciples of Jesus."
Linda's husband, Tom, is also an ordained UMC clergy member and is the Associate Pastor overseeing the eleven:eleven celebration service for FUMCFW. Linda and Tom have been married for more than 37 years and have two sons, Tim and Matthew, a daughter-in-law, Emily, and a granddaughter, Molly. "I am loving being a grandmother and watching my family grow!" Linda exclaims.
In her spare time, Linda loves to travel and see new places with Tom - her favorite travel companion. And for the last two years, she's been trying her hand at vegetable gardening. She also enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time in nature.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor of DiscpleChurch
Rev. Nancy Froman was born and reared in Fort Worth, grew up in the FUMCFW family and is delighted to return to work in the First Street Mission and Children's Ministries.
Nancy was called to ministry at age 22. She has been a minister for the United Methodist Church for over 25 years. Aside from five years in Washington State, most of her work has been in the Central Texas Conference.
When Nancy takes time away from church, she and her husband, Gregg, enjoy international travel, working out, watching movies, and playing music together.
Nancy graduated from Fort Worth Country Day School. She received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from TCU and holds a Master's of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, TCU.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor of Congregational Care & Senior Adults
Rev. Phyllis Barren was born on a 300 acre farm in Sanger, Texas where some of her fondest memories were formed around cattle and the smell of wheat being cut by a combine.
Ministry was a natural extension of Phyllis' family life. "If the doors were open to the church, my family was there. I went to my grandmother's house every weekend and went to church with her and my parents every week. I stayed with Nannie for four years until she died, and I saw God work in me and through me during that time. I was 18 - 22 years old. I have always enjoyed serving and working with older adults so I truly find joy serving the church. Now, I am doing my dream job - visiting with people, making hospital rounds and playing chicken foot with the seniors of this church."
When she's not working at the church, Phyllis likes to read in her garden and take long walks on nature trails, but what she enjoys most is her family. "I have three sons that are the light of my world." Miles, Trevor and Hunter all share a love of animals. Her two older sons have a Husky and a Bichon-Frise. Hunter, who is in high school, and Phyllis, share two ShihTzu, although Phyllis says they're her babies. "They have sweaters when it's cold and rain coats. They follow me everywhere I go."
Phyllis holds a BS in Education, MA in Early Childhood Education, did her seminary work at SMU/Perkins School of Theology, holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, and will soon have her LPC.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor of Eleven
Job Titles:
- Recording Secretary
- Executive Assistant to Co - Senior Pastors & Executive Director
- Executive Assistant to Senior & Co - Pastor and Executive Director
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
Richard McQuillar was born in Oklahoma city and spent seven years of his life in Okinawa Japan. Returning to Oklahoma, he graduated from Choctaw High School. He is the son of retired Air Force veterans.
Richard is responsible for designing the enews, weekly, Connect and "any other project that lands on my desk." "This is a great opportunity to grow professionally and spiritually that I couldn't pass up. I enjoy knowing that the work I do helps get people involved in the worship, volunteer and social opportunities that FUMCFW provides."
In his spare time, Richard likes being with his family, going to church, participating in sports, watching science fiction movies, writing and illustrating children's books and eating spicy Korean food. "I enjoy being creative and pushing myself to learn new things every day."
Richard has been married to his "smart and lovely" wife, Laura, for seven years. They met in freshman English class at the University of Tulsa, where Richard received his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis on graphic design and minors in business and art history. Fort Worth is Laura's hometown. They have two sons, Maxwell, 3, who "enjoys playing sports and being a big brother" and newborn Miles, who "enjoys grunting and staying up until the wee hours of the morning."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
Job Titles:
- Finance Chair - Elect
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Methodist Justice Ministry Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Assistant Director of FUMC Day School
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of FUMC Day School
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of First Methodist Church Foundation, Inc
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance
- Member of Committee
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Steve has a BBA in Accounting from The University of Texas at Arlington. He earned his CPA certificate while working in public accounting and then spent 25 years working in the corporate world. He says, "I feel very blessed to be able to use my skills and experience to serve the church." Steve is married to his Western Hills High School sweetheart, Julie, and after 20 years at Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington, they transferred their membership to FUMCFW in 2018. Their daughter, Sarah, is a professional dancer in New York City, and their son, Sean, is a managed IT consultant in Dallas.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of Personnel Committee
Job Titles:
- Website and Database Developer
Job Titles:
- Program Director
- Director of Music & Worship Arts
Job Titles:
- Member of the Building Committee
Wendell says that his role as the Database Manager here at FUMCFW fits his soul, and he loves working with others whom he respects and admires. As he puts it, "The United Methodist Church promises to be a place with open hearts, open doors, and open minds."
Wendell attended the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a bachelor's degree in Music, along with minors in Physics and Education. He went on to provide database support for more than 1,500 sales representatives at Alcon Labs. After more than 20 years, he retired from Alcon and then joined us here at FUMCFW.
One of the perks Wendell enjoys about working here is treating himself to daily walks in downtown Fort Worth. His wife, former FUMCFW Director of Counseling and Support Ministries Mitzi Ellington, also stays active by running in competitions with her friends. Mitzi is an ordained minister in the Baptist church and now works as a chaplain for the Harris Hospital System.
In his spare time, Wendell likes to read (a lot) and share with others. He and Mitzi live near Texas Christian University with their three girls (the furry, four-legged type), Loba, Sophie, and Cali.
Job Titles:
- Director of Facilities Services