pastor@stpaul-lakeland.org

A Couple of Things I Want You To Know…..

Two things I believe important to share are where I ground the essence of my vocational self-understanding and a vital role I will work to maintain throughout whatever years God provides us to walk in service together.

First, the most direct way I can articulate my sense of vocational identity is this: I am a pastor first, a minister second, and a preacher third.

Second, “pastor as an outsider”. While Rebecca and I look forward to becoming an integral part of the fellowship life of the St. Paul’s faith family and community, some gifts a pastor can provide a congregation are their role as a consultant and as a lead questioner of “the way we’ve always done it.” “Pastor as Outsider” is that part of my vocation which asks me to keep the “big picture” before the congregation – especially in periods of stagnancy, transition, or conflict.

Rather than take up any more space offering an additional interpretation of what those two things mean, I’d encourage a conversation around any questions you have when we meet.

Spouse:
Rebecca Burnette Thomas
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Children:
Mary Thomas 22yrs.
Graduated from Rhodes College in May 2021 – with plans to attend law school.

Bradly Thomas 19yrs.
Class of ‘22 at Central High School with plans to attend Moore Tech and Southwest Community College. 

Jill Kirk is the Children’s Ministry Director at St Paul UMC.  Jill and her family have been members of St Paul since 2002 and became the Children’s Director in 2006.  Jill and her husband Marty live in Arlington and have two children, Abigail and Garrett. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and gardening.

You can contact Jill by emailing Children@stpaul-lakeland.org

Alison Sink is the youth director at St Paul UMC. She grew up in North Carolina and graduated from undergrad from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She is at St Paul through the Center for Youth Ministry Training master program and is working on her masters degree in youth ministry. In her free time she loves to hike, do pottery, and play board games.

You can contact Alison by emailing youth@stpaul-lakeland.org.  

Deb Brooks is the St. Paul Preschool Director. Deb graduated from the University of Memphis in 2007. Deb and her husband Chad have been married since 2012 and live in Lakeland. They have two daughters, Faith and Emily. Deb enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and DIY projects.

You can contact Deb by emailing Preschool@stpaul-lakeland.org

I grew up in Memphis area and attended University Of Memphis for undergraduate and Union University for my masters.  I moved to Seattle at 30 and met my husband, Tony.  I am a mother of 2 girls. Gigi is 12 and Josie is 11.  We moved to Bartlett 8 years ago to be close to grandparents.  We have 3 cats and a dog and we foster kittens. I have worked part-time since Josie was born.

You may contact Kris by emailing finance@stpaul-lakeland.org

Ellie was born in East Ridge, TN but raised in the Memphis area since she was toddling around in diapers. Ellie attended Highland Heights United Methodist in Memphis, TN until 2001 where she was a part of the youth group when Pastor Brad Thomas & his wife welcomed their first child.
Ellie and her husband Tim have been together since 2012 and married in December 2017. They have a few dogs and welcomed their first son in December 2022, born 7 weeks premature. Ellie rotates her Sundays at Grace Celebration Church with her husband Tim, where her father-in-law, Rev. Dr. Terry Tieman, is the pastor and here at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

You may contact Ellie by emailing, SPUMC@stpaul-lakeland.org