I have been the pastor at Central UMC since June of 2008. I am the proud parent of Elizabeth (8th grade), Parker (6th grade), and twins Caroline and Rebecca (2nd grade). If we had any free time, my wife, Keven, and I would enjoy taking walks and traveling. But because we don’t have much free time without the children, we just play with them! I love to run, bike, play with my kids, and watch (or coach) my soccer-playing children. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘Em Horns!) with a Bachelors of Arts in Russian. From there, I felt the call to go into ministry, so I went to Duke Divinity School, and graduated with a Masters. But most importantly, we love being at Central!
 
 

 
Dr. Joe Reeves has served five churches, counting the two times he served at Central United Methodist Church in Shelby, N.C.And happily for Central and the hundreds who came to love him and his words, he retired here as Pastor Emeritus. He and his wife Betty Proctor Reeves have two sons, Stack and Shawn, and three (beautiful, wonderful) grandchildren. Joe’s journey through the world of education led him to the University of Tennessee where he was an English major, then to Duke University for a master of ministry, then Drew University for his doctorate.

In 2004 several members of Central published Joe’s Prayers, which sold out
immediately. For years, people waited eagerly for the latest copy of Mountains and Mustard Seeds, a newsletter where Joe shared stories of his childhood on a mountain farm, prayers, commentaries and short stories. He no longer publishes the newsletter, so we invite you to continue enjoying Joe’s words through Joe’s Journey.
 
 
I am a transplanted Yankee loving life in the South. I obtained two degrees from Pfeiffer University in Christian Education and Social Work, while working on these I realized that North Carolina would become my home.  My longevity at Central has allowed me to watch the children and youth here grow up, get married and have children of their own-and what a joy that continues to be!  I have been married to Eddie Hamrick for 33 years and have two daughters Jordan & Ashley, a son-in-law Sean, and a granddaughter Kyla. I’m proud to be a twin with an older sister too! I like to play at exercising through yoga, Zumba, walking & hula hooping. My spare time is spent reading, making prayer shawls & working in the garden.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I have a B.A. Criminal Justice and Psychology from UNC-Charlotte. After studying these, it was only natural that I would want to go into youth ministry. I received my M.Div. from Gardner Webb's Divinity School in 2009.  I have been working as a Youth Minister for the past 6 years. I grew up Baptist, but, according to Craig, have always been a Methodist at heart. I am married to Sky DeBoever, a total sci-fi geek who is slowly winning me over to the dark-side of dorkdom. I enjoy going to the movies, spending time with my family and friends, hiking, and hula-hooping. I also love to paint and sew. I am a big kid at heart and love working with teenagers and being a part of their lives!

To view the Central United Youth Ministry page - click here!
 
 
 
I serve as Director of Music Ministries for Central United Methodist Church. My wife Jennifer and I live in Shelby with our two daughters, Emma and Mary Jane, and two dogs, a Great Dane named Sky and a Jack Russell mix, Bea. I have a Bachelors of Music Education from Pfeiffer University and a Masters in Choral Conducting from UNC-Greensboro. When I am not planning or leading worship and rehearsals, I can be found spending time with my family, running and bike riding. The Buckners are happy to worship and serve at Central.

View Central United's Music Ministry page - click here!
 
 
 
I have a B.S. in Religious Studies from Gardner-Webb University and have been married 18 years to Randall Cooper – pastor of Race Path Baptist Church in Ellenboro. My hobbies are scrapbooking and biking. I have worked at Central for 14 years and love the people at Central UMC – they are my church family!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I’m one of the 6 Dianne Whisnant’s in Cleveland County. I was born and raised in Shelby a Presbyterian (much to one of my grandmother’s displeasure because according to her, only Methodists went to Heaven). I currently worship as Baptist and work in the Methodist Church. I’ve been married to Woody Whisnant, Jr. for 41 years. We have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. I enjoy reading, crocheting and short road trips.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I serve as the Pastoral Counselor here at Central. I graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in English and went on to Duke Divinity School to complete the Masters of Divinity. In 2004, I finished my Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

I am married to Scott Griffith and the mother of three children, Laurie and twins, David and Amanda. We currently live in Rutherfordton.

I will be at Central on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
 
 
 
I have served as Director of Central’s Kid’s Place Preschool for 6 years and enjoy helping prepare children for “big school”. I attended UNCW and UNCC before becoming a wife and mother. I am married to Eddie Rempson. We have four daughters, Zee, Zanna, Zoe and Zella. We enjoy family trips to the beach and to Lake Norman. I love being part of Kid’s Place and the opportunities to teach children school readiness skills and most importantly, about our wonderful, loving God.

View the Central United Kid's Place Preshool page - click here!
 
 
 
 
 
I have served as organist for Central since 2001. I hold an undergraduate degree from Greensboro College and a Masters in Organ Performance from Northwestern University. I am also staff accompanist at Gardner Webb University. I am married to Dr. Michael Alexander and have two children: a son Daniel, who lives in Raleigh, and a daughter Julia, who lives in Greensboro.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I am a life-long member of Central and have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Education from UNC Greensboro. Since late 2003 I have dedicated a majority of my time, skill, and sanity to the Theatre Department at Kings Mountain High School as Department Head. After a year of running sound voluntarily, I took over the position of Director of Media Technology when the position needed filling and I was called.