Senior Pastor:  Rev. Dr. Guy M. Whitney

The Reverend Dr. Guy M. Whitney, Jr. was born in Blytheville, Arkansas and grew up in Northeast Arkansas as the son of a Baptist minister and an English teacher.  He graduated from Paragould High School in 1966 and went on to earn a BA in Religion and English in 1970 from Ouachita Baptist University, a Master of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Pastoral Care in 1977 from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY where he was mentored by Dr. Wayne E. Oates, and in 1996, a Doctor of Ministry in Worship and Preaching from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, mentored by Bishop Hae-Jong Kim.  His doctoral program included travel to Seoul, South Korea where he studied the dynamics of a 74,000-member Methodist Church in another culture.

Dr. Whitney’s early ministry in the Southern Baptist Convention (1966-79) included work as a mission pastor in two new church starts, clinical training in various institutional settings, a student pastorate in Kentucky, and a pastorate in Arkansas.  After seminary, he served as chaplain and social worker at the Arkansas Department of Corrections.  He was awarded The State of Arkansas Certificate of Merit, July 1978, by Attorney General, Bill Clinton, for contributions in designing the ACCEPT program for ex-offenders.  He also was a social worker with Youth Homes, Inc. of Little Rock.

As an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church (UMC) since 1980, he has served as an Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church, North Little Rock and as senior pastor of Nettleton UMC in Jonesboro, Heritage UMC in Van Buren, First UMC Bentonville, First UMC Searcy, St. James UMC Little Rock, and First UMC North Little Rock.  Appointments beyond the local church include Minister for Congregational Development and Evangelism for Arkansas, and most recently the Superintendent of the South Central District, Hot Springs.  He is active in District and Conference ministries. 

Dr. Whitney has been married to Loretta since 1980, and they have five children and four grandchildren.  E-mail address: www.gwhitney@nlrfumc.org

Rev. Leon Gray, Associate Pastor

Rev. Gray is new to our church family.  Rev. Gray will be the preacher for our 10:45 Contemporary Service.  We also welcome Leon's wife, Libby, who is the Administrative Assistant for the Arkansas Conference Ministries Office.  Rev. Gray's primary responsibilities will be to develop our Contemporary Worship Service which will begin October 5. 

Rev. may be contacted at the following e-mail address:

www.lgray2000@yahoo.com

Associate Pastor: Rev. James (Will) William Choate

The Reverend Will Choate grew up in Beebe, AR and graduated from Beebe High School in 1999.  He went on to earn his bachelor’s in Business Finance from Arkansas State University (2003) and his Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University (2007).  In August (2007) Will married Audra Arant who is a nurse practitioner at UAMS. E-mail address:  www.wchoate@nlrfumc.org    

 
Secretary: Susan Blake

A 1969 graduate of Mt. Saint Marys and began working in the insurance industry.  My husband, Richard, and I moved to Stuttgart in 1976 to work for an insurance agency.  We have two daughters, Heather and Hollie and one granddaughter, Morgan.  In 2000, I accepted a job as the secretary of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church.  Following my husband’s retirement in March 2006, we moved to Little Rock to take care of my mother.   I enjoy walking, water aerobics and my favorite is spending time with my granddaughter.  E-mail address: www.sblake@nlrfumc.org



              
Children's Director: Jessie Griffith

Jessica Griffith is a native to central Arkansas.  She was raised in Sherwood and graduated from Sylvan Hills in the top 10% of her class.  She has always had a deep interest in influencing the lives of children.  She has held varied position in early childhood education.  Most recently, she worked with children 6 weeks to 5 years old at Lakewood United Methodist Mothers day out program.

Being brought up in the Disciples of Christ church, Jessie comes to FUMC from First Christian Church in Little Rock.  There she was the director of Children and Youth Ministries.  While at First Christian, Jessie also sang in the women’s ensemble.  Worshiping Christ through music is very fulfilling to her.

Jessie is married to Gabriel Griffith who is a local artist with several public works in Little Rock and North Little Rock.  Gabriel is also the Art Director for the ARC of Arkansas (a non-profit organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities).  The Griffith’s have 4 young children.  Zoie is 10, Sadie is 7, Emma is 5 and Jonah is 2.  The girls attend Lakewood Elementary.

Jessie is very excited to use her experience and passion for reaching children here at FUMC.  She is experienced in creating a fun and experiential curriculum that helps the teachings of Jesus “stick” with the children.  Her goal is to nurture the spiritual growth of children and their families.  E-mail address: www.jgriffith@nlrfumc.org



             

Director of Music Ministries:  Kurt Kennedy

Kurt Kennedy graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Music in Education Degree (vocal major, piano minor). After serving 4 years in the USAF as a Command Post Controller he returned to Louisiana to earn his Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance/Choral Conducting.  While working on  his Masters,  he was employed as a part-time choir director and full-time Assistant/Accompanist for the Opera Workshop Department at SLU.  After  college he taught high school music in Baton Rouge, LA, before moving into full-time church music employment.  A church musician since Jr. High  School, he has served various churches and denominations in Louisiana, Wyoming, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas and   abroad.  In 1999, after 12 years as Director of Music and the Arts at Winfield UMC in Little Rock, he became Director of Music Ministries at NLR First UMC.

Having always been active in professional organizations, he currently serves as President of The Fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts, is Past-Chair of the AR American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Past-CHIME Chair for the AGEHR Area VI (AR, LA, MS, TN & AL), Past-Chair for the North AR Worship Committee, was chosen to serve on the National FUMMWA Archives Committee and has always worked to promote excellence in music throughout  this state and others.

He has acted as Clinician, Instructor and Worship Leader at the local, state and Area level with the AGEHR,  enjoys   creative writing and has published articles in  the Overtones   magazine.  Other interests (past and present)   include repertory theatre, musical theatre and  light opera.  He was a founding member and President of the Gilbert and Sullivan Repertory Theatre in Baton Rouge, La.  and  performed as a soloist and chorus member for several community choruses. While living in Mississippi he fulfilled a life-long calling to  master the Ballroom Dance.  After training, he instructed and competed for an Authur Murray Dance Studio, followed by a private studio.

In addition to his work at the church and with the Fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts, he enjoys spending time on the other side of the music stand as a singer with the River City Men's Chorus in Little Rock.  Kurt and Linda reared  2 talented daughters and now have two beautiful (and brilliant!)  grandchildren.  E-mail address: www.kkennedy@nlrfumc.org



            
Facilities Manager:  Karl Krebs

Karl Krebs, is our Communications Director. In his professional, pre-retirement life, he transferred to Arkansas from Connecticut with Remington Arms, as a mechanical/ packaging engineer.  Although, he looked forward to retirement from his professional career, he just couldn't sit around doing nothing and accepted the job of Communications Director.  His main responsibility is newsletter editor, but he loves any project involving  computer graphics. He is a creative person and his hobbies are many.  He often  assists the UMW craft group with their projects,  fixes those broke things or just makes new if required.  He loves to sing and is a member of the church choir, the small men's choir and also a member of the Diamond State Barbershop Chorus. He is a whistler, you always know he is in the building.  E-mail address: www.kkrebs@nlrfumc.org


         
Treasurer:  Paul Lasseigne

Paul received BS and MS degrees in Pharmacy from the University of Louisiana Monroe.  He was employed as a supervisory pharmacist with the Department of Veterans Affairs until his retirement in 1997.  Paul took a short course in Church Business and Financial Administration at Emory University in preparation for a second career.  He has been active in several capacities at NLR FUMC including having served as Chair of the Stewardship Committee, as Lay Leader and as Lay Member of the North Arkansas Conference.  He is a member of the Chancel Choir.  Beyond the local church, he has served as Treasurer of the Northside United Methodist Men, as a member of the Nominations Committee for Conway District, as as a member of the North Arkansas Conference Council on Lay Life and Work.  E-mail address: www.pwl@nlrfumc.org



             
Youth Coordinator:  Todd Lovell

Raised in Perryville, AR where he was involved in various church activities.  Attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR where he received a degree in Christian Studies with an emphasis in Christian Theology.  Todd has worked in several different youth settings such as conferences, camps, retreat centers, and churches and looks forward to using all of his experiences in offering a unique style and approach to evangelizing the youth of today.  E-mail address: www.tlovell@nlrfumc.org

Adult Christian Education Coordinator:  Bebe Walton

Bebe currently facilitates Bible studies for adults, coordinates special spiritual growth programs and helps Sunday school classes schedule teachers and select curriculum.

As a member of First United Methodist for 21 years, Bebe has been involved in many facets of the church from Sunday school teacher, Boy Scouting coordinator, Vacation Bible School director, handbell choir member to children’s handchime director.  Bebe has an undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University and is currently a candidate for the ministry completing the final process for ordination as a deacon.  E-mail address: www.imbebe@comcast.net

              
Children's Enrichment Center (CEC) Director:  Stacey Henderson

My degree is in Early Childhood Education and I have 12 years experience in the child care field. I am married and have three children, ages 15, 9, and 2. We also have a Springer Spaniel named Tripper.

I work in child care because it is what I love to do. I started out as a part time teacher in an infant room. I eventually taught in all age groups and in 2000, decided to go back to college where I received my degree.  E-mail address: www.shenderson@nlrfumc.org