On April 21, 2024, it was announced by Ray Thomas, chairman of the Staff Parrish Relations Committee that Bishop Ken Carter and the Cabinet have appointed Michael Lanny Lancaster as our new Senior Minister effective July 1, 2024. Reverend Lancaster, who is known as Lanny, is presently the Senior Minister at Central United Methodist Church in Monroe, NC. He is from Greensboro, NC and a graduate of High Point University and Duke Divinity School. He has served in the pastoral ministry since 1997. He is married to his college sweetheart, Janet, and they have two twin sons, Noah and Jacob. Jacob like his father is in the pastoral ministry as the Senior Minister of St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Morganton, NC.
Our Senior Minister, Mike Gehring, will preach his last sermon at a combined service on June 30, 2024 to be followed by a reception in honor of him and Rhonda in the Commons. Mike and Rhonda will move out of the parsonage on the morning of July 2 and head to their retirement home in Arkansas. Thereafter Lanny and family will move in the afternoon of July 2. Lanny will preach his first sermon at a combined service on July 14, 2024.
It was further announced that Rev. Phil Kuntz was reappointed as Associate Pastor and Rev. Wayne Purdy was reappointed as Minister of Youth and College Ministries. We were joyful to have them reappointed to our staff.
Contact has been made with Lanny, and he expresses his joy and honor to be appointed as Senior Minister, and he looks forward to being a part of our church family and promoting the cause of Christ together.
