Fellows Class of 2011/2012
Ann Ashburn
Laity, Millbrook UMC — Raleigh
Ann has been a member of Millbrook UMC in Raleigh for more than 33 years. She is married to a retired physician and has three grown sons and two granddaughters. Ann enjoys playing tennis, bridge, reading, and her grandchildren! She hopes to gain personal growth and information she can take back and share with her church.
Melody Davis
Laity, Cornerstone UMC — Fayetteville
Melody is the assistant coordinator of Cornerstone Christian Education Center (CCEC) at Cornerstone UMC in Fayetteville where she has been a member for six years. She has been married for 18 years and has four wonderful boys, four beautiful husky dogs, and two precious cats. Melody enjoys reading and working with children of all ages. She hopes that her involvement in the Leadership Fellows Program will allow her to become a more effective leader within her church.
Edgar DeJesus
Lead Pastor, Cornerstone UMC — Fayetteville
Edgar was appointed lead pastor of Cornerstone UMC in Fayetteville in June, 2010. He attended Duke Divinity School and was ordained in June, 2003. Edgar enjoys swimming, watching movies, and traveling and hopes to gain all he can about excellence in leadership from this program.
Scott Dodson
Senior Pastor, Grace UMC — Wilmington
Scott has been the senior pastor at Grace UMC in Wilmington since June, 2009. He attended Duke Divinity School and was ordained in June, 2009. He has been married to Amy for 22 years. They have a 20-year-old daughter, Amanda, and a 16-year-old-son, Richard. Scott enjoys fishing and hunting and hopes that his participation in the Leadership Fellows Program will allow him to become a better leader.
Farron Duncan
Pastor, St. Paul UMC — Tabor City
Farron has been the pastor at St. Paul UMC in Tabor City since June, 2009. He attended Duke Divinity School and was ordained in June, 2009. He is married to Patricia and they have a married 25-year-old daughter. Farron enjoys backpacking, hiking, and kayaking, and it is his hope to become a better leader.
Scott Foster
Local Pastor, Newton Grove Charge — Fayetteville
Scott was appointed pastor for the Newton Grove Charge in June, 2010. He attended Duke Divinity School and will be commissioned in June, 2011. Scott is single and has two brothers. He enjoys golf and Wake Forest sports. He hopes to learn how to be a more effective pastor while working with motivated laity.
Eddie Hill
Pastor, Sharon UMC — Holden Beach
Eddie has been the pastor of Sharon UMC since July, 2001. He attended Duke University and was ordained in June, 1997. He has been married to Nita for 25 years, and they have four sons: Jacob, age 16; Chase, age 14; and Zane and Bryson, age 12. Eddie enjoys sports, reading, being outdoors, and traveling. He hopes to gain insight for outstanding leadership.
Paul Inman
Laity, Meroney UMC — Bonlee
Paul has been a member of Meroney UMC for 20 years. He is married, has three children, and enjoys woodworking. Paul hopes to become closer to God and become a better leader while participating in the Leadership Fellows Program.
Jane Leechford
Pastor, Page Memorial UMC — Aberdeen
Jane was appointed pastor at Page Memorial UMC in June, 2009, after having served as Associate Pastor from 2007 to 2009. She attended Duke Divinity School and was ordained in June, 2009. Jane is married to Bob, and they have a son, Paul, and a daughter, Amy. She enjoys gardening, music, reading, and writing. Jane hopes to gain a clearer picture of servant leadership and learn how to translate vision to the congregation so that they become motivated to follow through with the vision they acquire.
Preston Morton
Laity, St. Paul UMC — Tabor City
Preston is a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He is a great addition to the 2011/2012 Leadership Fellows class as he joins the class in the second year. Preston works in retail at Skechers. Preston enjoys drawing, reading, gaming and socializing. He hopes to gain effective and stronger leadership skills from the Leadership Fellows Program.
Cris Mowrey
Laity, Grace UMC — Wilmington
Cris is retired and has been a member of Grace UMC in Wilmington for more than ten years. He is married, has two grown children, and three grandsons. Cris enjoys cutting wood, gardening, and motorcycles. By participating in the Leadership Fellows Program, he hopes to become a better and more productive person.
Heather Rodrigues
Associate Pastor, Millbrook UMC — Raleigh
Heather was appointed Associate Pastor at Millbrook UMC in June, 2009. She attended Duke Divinity School and was commissioned in June, 2010. Heather is married to Pete who is a stay-at-home dad taking care of their two children, 7-year-old Eli and 2-year-old Sarah. She hopes to gain practical and applicable ways to lead and delegate which will sustain and grow churches.Heather Rodrigues
Lynn Shuffler
Laity, Rose Hill UMC — Rose Hill
Lynn is retired from part-time office work. She has been a member of Rose Hill UMC for 22 years. She has six precious granddaughters and enjoys reading, the beach, traveling, her yard, and painting. Lynn hopes to gain better leadership skills and a better insight into herself!
Leah Skaggs
Pastor, Rose Hill UMC — Rose Hill
Leah was appointed Pastor at Rose Hill UMC in June, 2009. She attended seminary at Duke Divinity School and completed her M.Div. in May, 2009. Leah and her husband have three children, ages 13, 9, and 7. She enjoys reading and running, and hopes to gain insight into how family systems can impact congregational health.
Raymond Sproles
Laity, Page Memorial UMC — Aberdeen
Raymond is a retired highway engineer and has been a member of Page Memorial UMC for 35 years. He is married and has two married children. Raymond’s primary interests are tied to the Gideon's and various church ministries such as the soup kitchen. He has attended Annual Conference and many workshops. As a leader, Raymond desires to learn how to translate his experiences in a way that the church will share the vision.
Jo Warren
Laity, Newton Grove UMC — Newton Grove
Jo is retired after having worked as the assistant to the Dean for Business & Finance in the College of Textiles at NC State University. She has been a member of Newton Grove UMC for 62 years. Both of her parents are deceased, and she has one brother. Jo enjoys reading and flower arranging. She hopes to gain information that will be beneficial to her church.
James “Jim” Whittaker
Pastor, Meroney & West End UMC — Bonlee Charge
Jim has been the pastor at Meroney UMC and West End UMC since 2003. He attended Duke Divinity School and became an ordained elder in June, 2009. He and his wife, Diana; two kids — Laura and Andy; and three grandchildren — Matthew, Caleb, and James. Jim’s hobbies are exercise and carpentry. He hopes to gain better leadership skills while participating in the Leadership Fellows Program.
Rick Winner
Laity, Sharon UMC — Holden Beach
Rick is a real estate broker/broker-in-charge and has been a member of Sharon UMC for 9 years. He and his wife, Laurie, have been married for 22 years. They have an 18-year-old son, Eric; and a 20-year-old daughter, Elise. Rick’s hobbies are hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He hopes to advance his leadership skills in work and at church.
