Meet Our Staff
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Richard Wright |
Reverend Dr. Richard (Pastor Rich) Wright is an ordained elder in the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church where he has served churches from small to large and from rural to urban. His degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Columbus College (Columbus, Georgia), a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia), and a Doctor of Ministry in Evangelism and Missions from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Austin, Texas). Prior to ordained ministry, he served 15 years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman. He is an Operation Desert Shield / Desert Strom combat veteran where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He has also been an entrepreneur of two businesses and worked for several years with two international logistics corporations. He is a noted author, speaker, and teacher on church growth and personal spiritual growth.
|
His books, Stop the Church Revolving Doors, Help, I’m Lost: The Wanderer’s Guide to Salvation andPrayer Expedition at Epworth by the Sea, help churches and people move forward in participating with God in Kingdom-building through the use of their spiritual gifts and their church’s ministries. His website at www.drrichardmwright.com has more information on his books. He has served in several denominational leadership positions including leadership development, church growth and revitalization, clergy mentoring, ministry visioning, and ministry planning. His ministry has been described as focusing on empowering lay people to be the Christian servants that God needs them to be so they can be effective witnesses of the good news of Christ with all people. Dr. Wright is very passionate about individuals and churches finding their purpose in God’s Kingdom and developing the means to pursue those purposes. One church member said, “Pastor Rich is a dynamic preacher who helps us understand and apply the scriptures to our lives. He is a wonderful teacher who shows us the golden nuggets in scripture so we can use them in our service to God and our community. His passion to share the good news of Christ is contagious to our church members.” Dr. Wright and his wife, Ruth, have been married over 35 years and have one daughter (Rebecca).
Family Ministries Director
Hannah Bass Hannah Bass finds great passion in seeking the fulfilment of the great commission. She has served short and long term missions in the Caribbean, Africa, & South East Asia. She has a Bachelor of World Missions Degree from Truett-McConnell College and is working towards a Master of Divinity. Some of her life long goals include: scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, owning a Harley Fatboy, and that her epithet will read: The devil groaned each morning her feet hit the floor.
|
Music Director
Travis Kern Travis Kern is the husband of Robin Kern and father to Aidan and Kellen. He has taught and conducted music for the past 30 years. He is currently teaching at VSU and working towards his Doctorate in Choral Conducting. Travis Kern is the husband of Robin Kern and the Father of Aidan and Kellen Kern. He has spent the past 28 years working as a music educator in the public school system. During that time he taught every grade, k-12, but spent most of his time at the the High School level. During his time at Colquitt County High, he was fortunate enough to conduct choirs in France, England, Scotland, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hawaii and New York. In 2019 Travis was able to direct his choirs at the Vatican and St. Marks in Venice. An accomplished thespian and director, Travis has directed more than 30 broadway musicals over the years.
|
Youth Director
Nancy Riley Nancy was born in Moultrie and graduated from Colquitt County High School in 1993. She moved away after graduation for college and work and returned in 2013. She is married to Jason and has 3 children: Mitchell, David, and Alaina - and soon to be daughter in law, Cassidy. Nancy received her Bachelor's degree of Business Administration in Marketing from Valdosta State University. When Jason and Nancy started their family, Nancy happily settled into her role as stay at home mom. She has volunteered and worked in many different areas throughout the years, and began serving as the youth leader here in 2017. Nancy also works as the church treasurer. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys camping, shopping, napping and spending time with her family.
|
Food Service Director
Vanessa Hayes Vanessa Hayes, is loving referred to as “Chef V” by the FUMC family. Her kitchen is a well-oiled machine that serves up delicious meals each week for our Koinonia Suppers. She studied at Tuskegee University and at Valdosta University. She works full time as the Nutrition Director at Tift County Schools. She is well known and loved throughout our community for not only her fantastic cooking skills, but even more for her faith, and ministry.
|
Secretary
Sharon Faulk Sharon is married to Gus Faulk and has three children: Sara, Nathan, and Bethany. Sharon has an Associates degree in Business Administration. She has served in administrative positions for over 20 years, including 5 1/2 years at the First United Methodist Church in Cochran, Georgia. She has homeschooled her children for over 14 years now as well. Sharon gave her life to Christ when she was 24, and has been committed to the work of the ministry ever since, serving in various positions in music, teaching, and women's ministries. Her absolute favorite adventure that God has sent her on was the 3 1/2 years she and her family spent helping with a church plant in South Dakota. Sharon's absolute favorite things are spending time with her family, reading a good book, or singing with the music team in Church.
|
current open staff positions