Rev. Dr. Jim Bowden
Senior Pastor

Ext. 23
Revdrjimbowden@gmail.com

In 1983 Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. He studied for the ministry at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, earning the Master of Divinity degree (1990) and the Doctor of Ministry degree (1996). He is an Elder and member in full connection in the North Texas Conference. Jim and his wife Martha have two children.

Rev. Marie Mitchell
Associate Pastor

Marie graduated from Angelo State University with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as a staff writer for the San Angelo Standard- Times before a 21-year business career at Southwestern Bell Telephone. After receiving a call to full-time ministry, she took an early retirement as a manager in the business office in 2000. She then journeyed to Perkins School of Theology at SMU where she earned her Master of Divinity in 2006. She has been Associate Pastor at FUMC since 2006 and currently preaches at the Crossroads contemporary service. Marie was ordained as an Elder and member in full connection in the North Texas Conference in June 2010 at the Annual Conference in Wichita Falls, TX. Her daughter, Danielle and son-in-law Jasman have made her the proud grandmom of Jaz Dwayne. Her hobbies include reading, writing poetry, watching football, and spending time with her rambunctious lab-mix, Fudge.

Josh Fitzpatrick
Youth Minister

Josh Fitzpatrick, our youth minister, lived in Redlands, CA while Josh completed his Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and Megan, his wife, completed medical school at Loma Linda University.  Over the course of his studies, Josh has served in several church roles including leading worship teams, serving as a youth pastor, and most recently, serving as the Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Christian Fellowship in San Bernardino, CA.

When Josh isn't organizing events or hanging out with the students of FUMCD, you may find him at home with their little maltese, Bogie, or out playing golf or tennis.  He also enjoys reading, watching films, and exploring the in-and-outs of their new home city, Dallas (including restaurants!).

Jarrod Johnston
Music Minister

Jarrod Johnston, a Dallas-area native, returns to Texas after serving for three years at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, in Slidell, LA, as Director of Music Ministries. He moved to Slidell right after receiving is Masters of Sacred Music from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. During his time in seminary he had the honor of serving his home church, Christ UMC, in Farmers Branch, as Director of Children's Music and Contemporary Worship.

Jarrod met his wife, Leanne, while they both were attending Perkins. They were married in the Summer of 2009 and are the proud parents of two cats and a dog. They are both extremely happy to be Texans again, but are glad to have had the time to serve in the great people of Louisiana.

Erika Hemphill
First Methodist School Director

Erika@fumcd.com

Erika Hemphill is a 32-year Duncanville resident. She is married and her children attended First Methodist School from Mother's Day Out through Kindergarten. She has 17 years experience in the area of education and 13 years of private business ownership. She is very excited about continuing FMS's legacy of ministering to children through education. She graduated from Duncanville High School, received her Bachelor of Science from SMU and in 1998 Duncanvile ISD presented Erika with the Champions for Children award. She has been a Kindergarten teacher at FMS from 2010 to present and was also a Mother's Day Out teacher there from 2009 to 2010.

Charlene Nelson
Director of Children’s Ministries

Charlene has been a member of FUMC since 2000 and is a member of the Genesis Sunday School class. She grew up in Duncanville and is a graduate of Duncanville High School and has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas. Her husband is Scott and they are the proud parents of Kristen, Wesley and Mckenzie. They currently live in Midlothian. Charlene has a passion for working with children and loves to participate in recreational sport activities.

Carol Weller
Senior Adult Activities Coordinator

Ext 225

Carol has been a member since the early 90s. She's a member of the Cup & Saucer Sunday School class and a long-time member of the Chancel choir. She loves bridge, photography and people.

Pat Daniel
Administrative Associate, Newspaper Editor, Bulletin Editor and Wedding Coordinator

Ext.11
pat@fumcd.com

An employee at FUMCD since 1997 and a member most of her life, Pat Daniel is the newspaper editor, produces bulletins, brochures and other publications, and directs weddings. She is a member of Celebration Ringers, Homebuilders SS Class, and the Family Ministries Committee. Pat and her husband Bob love to travel and golf. They are blessed with 2 sons and daughters-in-law and 5 grandchildren.

Barbara Cline
Administrative Assistant

Ext.10
barbara@fumcd.com

Barbara joined our staff part-time in October 2005 as afternoon receptionist, and became full time Dec. 8, 2008. She maintains the church calendar bookings/energy software and assists Pastor Bowden and Bob Valentine, as well as other duties. She has been an Administrative Assistant for a Dallas stock brokerage firm, and stays busy in Christian music at her church and area senior living homes. Barbara has a daughter, Cris, and two grandchildren and is a member of Crossroads of Life Assembly of God in Duncanville.

Brantlee Sontag
Assistant to the Music and Worship Minister

Brantlee@fumcd.com

More info coming soon.

Bobbie Weisinger
Business Administrator

Ext.12
Bobbie@fumcd.com

Being led to be more of an influence in their grandchildren's lives, she and her husband, Alan, returned to the Dallas area in April, 2008. They live & worship in Midlothian.

Susan Kheshtinejad
Organist/Accompanist

Susan@fumcd.com

Susan has been a member of FUMC since 1995 when she moved back to her hometown of Duncanville after living on the east coast for 8 years. She was a graduate of Duncanville High School in 1974, and went on to attend TCU. She graduated from SMU in 1978 with a Bachelor of Music in Piano. Susan loves music and teaching, and is the Asst. Choral Director at Duncanville High School. She has been the FUMC church organist and accompanist since Spring 2007, and was thrilled to be able to serve in that position in her home church. She lives in Duncanville with Twins Gracy and Garrett, who will be juniors at Duncanville High School in the fall of 2010. .

Bob Valentine
Facilities Manager

Ext.18

Bob joined our staff in 2007. He and wife Jeannine have been members of FUMCD since 1989. They have 2 sons, Robby and Steven, who both live in Florida. Bob and Jeannine are the proud grandparents of two beautiful little girls, Charlotte Grace and Karis Ann.