Paul Dunham

Pastor

My favorite Bible passage is Romans 8, because it runs the full spectrum of the life of faith: God forgives us from our sin, so we are not condemned. God sent Jesus to redeem us, and to free us to live Spirit-filled lives, full of God's Presence and Power. If we ask him to, that is. And when he does, his Spirit lives in us, prays for us when we don't know what to say, and uses all things for the good of the kingdom, even when hard times come or tragedy strikes. And no matter what, no matter what tomorrow holds, God's Love will never leave us. Even if we die, we cannot be separated from God's Love.

I also love to sing. One of my favorites is “Because He Lives”. It has that same message: Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow! I know He holds my future! Life is worth the living, just because He Lives!

Basically every sermon I preach, every song I sing, every prayer, every action- it all comes down to this: Jesus loves you and gave his life and conquered death so he can live with you forever. We love God with all we have, and then love our neighbors as ourselves. God's love reaches out to us, so we love him so much we reach out to others. Worship and Missions are all a reflection of our vibrant, life-changing, eternal relationship with God.

I do have a question for you, too. What's your story? How has God impacted your life? If someone crossed your path today and God nudged you to speak up, what might you share? One of my new neighbors introduced himself, and asked what I do. When I said that I was Sharon's new pastor, he laughed, saying, “Well, I guess that answers my next question. I was going to invite you to church with me.” He then shared with me how God had been moving in his life, and how blessed he'd been even in having to retire. He was ready to share how “all things work together for good”, and how even in suffering he'd experienced the love of God. Not knowing I was a pastor, he was ready to share. We all need to be keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open for those opportunities. “But preacher, I'm not sure what I'd say.” Read through Romans 8, and see what it says about the Spirit and your having to know what to say…

My prayer for the Church arises from Acts 4: “Lord Jesus, Make us Bold!” Praying for the Power of the Spirit and our testimony for our Lord Jesus Christ. Changed lives. Changed families. Changed community. Changed world. Faith put to prayer, lives launched in mission, Jesus proclaimed, and worlds changed. Do we not need that Holy Spirit power once again in these troubled days? Amen. Come Lord Jesus, empower us again. Amen!

JACKIE LEONARD

Crossing Network Coordinator
& Accountant

Jackie Leonard lives in Supply, NC, with her husband Bill. She has been the Accountant for Sharon Methodist Church for over a year and a half and recently accepted another position within the church ministry. In addition to her duties as Church Accountant, Jackie is the new Crossing Network Coordinator. Jackie has a background of work in medical office management, medical billing, and managing low-income apartment complexes while living in Virginia. Her passion has always been helping people, particularly those people who need necessities we sometimes take for granted.

The Crossing Network is a beautiful space where the church and community meet. Our vision for The Crossing Network is creating partnerships with other service agencies and non-profits to offer programs, and classes and find volunteer advocates to help local families, Veterans, seniors, and the homeless population with needs such as making online appointments, assistance with online forms and searches, counseling on health insurance and assistance with VA benefits, coordinating resources for seniors who wish to live independently, resources for caregivers, and educational resources with classes in nutrition, finance, and budgeting.

MEL SELLERS

Administrative Assistant

Melissa Sellers is the new administrative assistant at Sharon Methodist Church. Originally from Raleigh, NC, Mel has lived in both Los Angeles and New Orleans before finding her way to the picturesque coast of Holden Beach. She has always had a passion for assisting others and ensuring that offices operate efficiently. With a diverse background in administration, ranging from receptionist to executive assistant to office manager, Mel is dedicated to enhancing someone else's day and ensuring everything runs smoothly. With the ultimate goal of sharing the love of Jesus with the world and demonstrating the compassion and kindness that He has for all of us.

HENRY VAN DRIEL

Organist

Henry’s career spans many years of customized customer service in sales, sales support, and daily operations. Account management has been an integral part of his success through the years. Outside of work, Henry loves spending time at the beach with his wife, Linda, walking, reading, fishing, and people-watching. His appreciation for music, and specifically playing his Hammond organ since 1972, led him to serve as a church organist for over 43 years before calling Sharon his church home in 2016 and becoming a part of our music team.

TINA  Kennerson

Manager, The Rose of Sharon Thrift Store

Tina has been The Rose of Sharon Thrift Store manager since November 2020 and led the store into its post-COVID reopening in January 2021. Tina is from Trumansburg, NY, located in the Finger Lakes region in upstate NY. She has two children and four grandchildren. She and her husband, Dave, have lived in Holden Beach since 2017. 

Tina is a dynamic leader and the “backbone” of The Rose. She has a heart for helping others and a unique ability to recognize when someone is in need. She has developed close, caring relationships with so many regular customers. Her volunteers love her, and there is a true feeling of family among them.  

PAM LOVETT

Custodial Team

Pam is originally from Kingsport, Tennessee, but is happy to call Holden Beach her
full-time home now. In her spare time, Pam is an animal lover.

Along with staffing a church, it’s important to Sharon Methodist Church to work alongside a strong and committed slate of volunteers as part of our church Leadership Team. The connection and partnership between the church staff and church community is vital to the church’s health and essential for ongoing ministry and growth. Everyone has the opportunity to be in ministry and we appreciate our volunteers who step into leadership roles.

Chairman :  Jonas Daugherty

Lay Leader:  David Montague

Discipleship Team Leader: 

Family Ministries Team Leader:  Linda Van Driel

Finance Team Leader:  Don Bolinger

At Large/Finance:  Chuck Wilson

Worship Team Leader:  Susan Hessman

Facilities Team Leader: Rich Rudnicki

At Large/Facilities:  Edward Anderson

Missions/Outreach Team:  Paulette Harland

At Large/SPRC: