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.

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).

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.

Celica Moore

I’ve been serving the church as the Associate Director of Student Ministry since January of 2023. What this means is that I work with the Director of Family Ministry to design, develop, and lead all of our programming and curriculum for our students aged 6th grade to 12th grade.

I have a passion for connecting with and serving the next generation in a way that allows them to grow in their relationship with Christ. I work hard to inspire the next generation to go and do the work of the Church and discover their own passions for service.

I grew up as a United Methodist in Joplin, Missouri and am currently attending Lee University and pursuing a Youth Ministry degree. I enjoy traveling, outdoors, coffee shops, and getting to know others better.

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.

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.

Gary Thomas

Bio forthcoming

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

Chrissy Gray

Pam Wells

Celica Moore

Nancy Thompson

Sarah Roach

Gary Thomas

Gerald Howard

John Felix

423.238.9216

6131 Relocation Way · Ooltewah, TN · 37363

Dwight Kilbourne

Jacqueline Davis-Gines

Jonathan Walker

Brett Hyberger

Chrissy Gray

Pam Wells

Celica Moore

Nancy Thompson

Sarah Roach

Gary Thomas

Gerald Howard

423.238.9216

6131 Relocation Way · Ooltewah, TN · 37363