Rev. George Freeman, Senior Minister

George is from Alexandria, Virginia. He received an A.S. in Music from Ferrum College, his B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Greensboro College and his Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. George was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, Western North Carolina Annual Conference in 1976 and was ordained an Elder in 1980. He completed his Internship in C.P.E. as a hospital Chaplain at North Carolina Baptist Hospital, 1981-1982. Then from 1983-1984 George completed his first year Residency in C.P.E. at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill as the chaplain to Pediatrics, Neurosurgery, and Oncology. His second year Residency (1984-1985) was at Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC as the chaplain to the Duke Heart Team and to the Marriage and Family Counseling and Consultation Center, Durham, as a Resident Pastoral Counselor . George has served local parishes at Level-Cross UMC, Randleman; Mt. Tabor UMC in Salisbury; South Point UMC in Belmont; Providence UMC in Charlotte; Cullowhee UMC at Western Carolina University; Biltmore UMC in Asheville; Brevard First UMC; Oak Ridge UMC, Greensboro; and First UMC Hickory.

George has served on the Board of Directors at Givens Estates Retirement Community, Asheville; Board of Trustees at Brevard College; Board of Visitors at the United Methodist Children's Home, Winston-Salem; Board of Directors of Wesley Foundation at Western Carolina University; and the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society at the Charlotte Chapter.

The hobbies that spark George's interest and occupy his time, include; golfing, woodworking, ocean kayaking and hiking.

George has been married to Donna Pierce for 31 years and they have three children: Mark, a graduate of Duke University; Beth a graduate of Emory University; and Megan, a rising eighth grader.
 

Dr. James Westmoreland, Minister of Education and Programs

Jim was born in Charlotte and attended UNCC and then went on to Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Jim obtained his D.Min. from The Theological School of Drew University. Jim has been serving as the Minister of Education at FUMC for 18 years. Prior to being at FUMC Jim served in Thomasville and Murphy. Jim is married to Barbara and they have two sons and four grandchildren.

Rev. Angela D. Burris, Minister of Membership and Evangelism

Angela is a graduate of Catawba College and Duke Divinity School and brings a broad range of experience in the areas of Church Growth and Congregational Development  as well as expertise in the area of Stephen Ministries through Christ Care Group Ministries.  Angela has served at Providence United Methodist Church as Minister of Membership Cultivation and comes to us from Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church where she was Senior Minister.  She has a passion for teaching, small groups, creative worship design, medical ethics and relating to the unchurched and dechurched. 
 

Rev.  Saxon Scarborough, Minister of Music

Rev.  Sarah Watkins Davis, Minister of Children's Ministries