Staff

Dwight Kilbourne

I serve as the lead pastor of this great congregation. My primary roles are casting vision, teaching and overseeing the mission and ministry of the church. I have been serving in this role since 2012.

Patty and I have been married since 1978 and have three adult sons, all of whom are married. Our sons and their wives have blessed us with five wonderful grandchildren, whom we really enjoy spoiling.

I enjoy woodworking (making furniture and turning bowls) and gardening. My favorite fruit from my soil are delicious home-grown tomatoes.

Jacqueline Davis-Gines

Hello, I am the Associate Pastor of Ooltewah United Methodist Church (OUMC). I facilitate church growth through small group organization and development. I am also the staff administrator organizing service opportunities for congregants to offer their gifts and talents to this great church.

Another aspect of my position is serving as the Digital Pastor for our online congregation. My overarching role is to support the Lead Pastor in ordering the spiritual and temporal activities of the church. I have served in this capacity since July 2021. My husband is Marlin D. Gines. We have been married since 1993. We have two wonderful young adult children, Maiya and Matthew. They are both embarking on exciting and rewarding careers. I enjoy gardening, creative writing, reading, live theatre, and a variety of board games. My favorite times are those spent playing and laughing with my family.

Jonathan Walker

I am so blessed and excited to be part of the team here at OUMC since 2020! I oversee all things related to contemporary worship including the video, sound, lighting, and music teams. In addition, I get to utilize my creativity and manage our creative media, including social media, and technology around campus. I am a self proclaimed “technology nerd” and I’m all for any use of technology that enables us to do ministry for Jesus better and more effectively. I love to problem solve and troubleshoot problems so I’m always on call.

My wife Sarah and I live in Ringgold, GA with our three kids Isabelle, William, and Owen. We are both northern transplants to the south since 2007 and we love living in the south, although I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss a good snow every once in a while.

Brett Hyberger

Music creates the atmosphere of worship. This is at the core of Brett’s passion: to craft genuine, heartfelt services that speak Christ and move the hearts of His followers, to fuse the love of music with the love of our Savior. Brett desires that everyone who walks through the doors of OUMC feels, hears, and witnesses the presence of Christ. He is also an accomplished voice over artist, providing character voices to video games, trailers, and documentaries. Brett loves being a father to his 2 sons and spends as time as he can with them.

Nancy Thompson

My name is Nancy Thompson, and I am blessed to be the Director of our Kids Day Out program. I joined OUMC in 2006, and joined the staff of KDO immediately after I retired from 42 years of teaching public school kindergarten in 2015. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Administration and Supervision. One of the greatest joys I experience is watching our young children at KDO learn and grow as “whole” children – socially, emotionally, academically, as well as in their faith walks.

I have 4 grandchildren, who unfortunately live in Maine and Massachusetts so I do not get to spend as much time with them as I wish that I could. I became a wicked cool stepmom (as my daughters labeled me) when I married their dad in 1991, and I became a widow in 2018 after 27 wonderful years together. I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, reading, and gardening. My church is a very important part of my life.

Pam Wells

I am Pam Wells and I serve as the Director of Congregational Care.

My family and I have been worshipping at OUMC since 1995 and I have served on staff since 2007.

As the Director of Congregational care, I get to journey with people through both good and bad times. I coordinate hospital, homebound or extended care facility visits as well as other pastoral care needs. I also serve as a liaison with regard to funeral services, but also love to help out with the occasional church wedding.

I am married to Paul and we have two incredible adult children, Victoria and Nick. In our free time we love to garden and go camping. We also have a really special pup named Allie.

Chrissy Gray

I am Chrissy Gray, Director of Children’s Ministry. I started working at OUMC in March of 2019 as the Director of the Children’s Ministry. I get to work everyday figuring out how to share God’s love with the kids and families in our church and community. I help lead a wonderful team of volunteers and staff who make each Sunday feel like a party while sharing Christ in the midst of the craziness. I live in Cleveland, Tennessee with my husband Trey. We have four children: Cooper, Avery, Benjamin, and Gracie. I enjoy a good podcast, a nice campfire, trying my hand at rudimentary woodworking and crafts, and being in and around water. I am always up for learning more about people and helping connect them to this meaningful ministry so if you are searching for your place I would love to talk and share a cup of coffee (or tea).

Branden Jones

My name is Branden Wayne Jones and I am the Director of Student Ministries which means I have the honor of walking with 6th – 12th grade students through their faith journey. I have been serving here since August of 2020 (tough year). In my family, I have a wife named Anna Jones who is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at LifeSpring Community Health (*hint of proud husband*) and an Australian Shepherd named Teddy (after Ted Tonks from Harry Potter). Anna and I spent half of 2018 hiking the entire Appalachian Trail and the other half traveling to see a little more of America. I love kids, being outside, making people laugh, being a nerd, and any sport I’m invited to play.

Sarah Roach

I have had the pleasure of sharing in ministry at OUMC since 1998. Along with taking care of the church finances, I also manage the funds that are given to Share & Care, a benevolent fund that provides assistance to families, which is my greatest passion. My husband, Barry, and I have two children, Kelly and Casey, and 5 grandchildren.

Robin Wilford

My name is Robin Wilford and I serve as the Administrative Assistant at OUMC. In my role, I am so blessed to use my gifts as a graphic artist and administrator to support the staff and mission at OUMC. I have a bachelors degree in journalism/ graphic art from the University of Memphis.

My husband Gary and I have been married since 1991 and we both have served in ministry as members at OUMC since 1999. We have 3 children who have “grown up” at OUMC – Catherine, Andrew and Peter.

I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cheering for the Vols with Gary, and relaxing with our 2 dogs – Islay and Ralph.

Gerald Howard

I came on board with the staff of Ooltewah UMC in September of 2021. My main responsibility is to take care of and maintain the cleanliness of the all the buildings of the church.

I’ve been married 24 years with six children and three grandchildren. When I’m not working, I like to stay active and play basketball.

Dwight Kilbourne

Jacqueline Davis-Gines

Jonathan Walker

Brett Hyberger

Nancy Thompson

Pam Wells

Chrissy Gray

Branden Jones

Sarah Roach

Robin Wilford

Gerald Howard

423.238.9216

6131 Relocation Way · Ooltewah, TN · 37363

Dwight Kilbourne

Jacqueline Davis-Gines

Jonathan Walker

Brett Hyberger

Nancy Thompson

Pam Wells

Chrissy Gray

Branden Jones

Sarah Roach

Robin Wilford

Gerald Howard

423.238.9216

6131 Relocation Way · Ooltewah, TN · 37363