LEAD PASTOR

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT 319
EMAIL: ssmith@firstunited.org

Hey, I’m Scott and have been the Pastor here at First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach since July 2013. My wife Kris and I have three adult sons: Caleb (Megan), Joshua and Jacob. At home we just have Khaleesi. She is a Red Heeler Cattle Dog.

Formerly I was the Director of Youth and Education First UMC of Ft. Pierce, Associate Pastor Indian River City UMC, and the Founding Pastor of Community of Faith UMC.

I hope all the above sounds corporate enough for those of you looking for that! Now here is the stuff you need to know: I am passionate about Florida State football and Duke basketball! I love BBQ and will travel miles for it! I love all things Celtic (not the basketball team, but Ireland.)

I would rather be outside than inside, and I love the beauty of the Everglades. I collect crucifixes and Florida landscape art. The Highwaymen are my favorite artists and I love photos of the Everglades. I read a lot and my favorite book is “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Most of the fiction I read is ancient historical fiction, but I’m also a big fan of Tim Dorsey, Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney, and David Baldacci.

Music: U2, AC/DC, Van Halen, Gaelic Storm, all kinds of Irish Folk, etc…

Movies: All things Star Wars. Marvel not DC. Breakfast Club and 16 Candles are ones I will watch whenever! Gladiator is the best.

TV: Current: Ted Lasso, Derry Girls, Rings of Power, House of the Dragon. All time favs: Game of Thrones, Cheers, and ER.

PASTOR OF THE GATHERING PLACE

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT 319
EMAIL: aarmistead@firstunited.org

I have the coolest job. I pastor The Gathering Place (www.thegatheringplaceumc.org), the new expression of First United in the LPGA area. Our mission is to gather differently, welcome everybody, and love abundantly by encountering God and neighbor in new ways. This looks like Kayaks and communion, Sunday worship inside The Foundry Co-Working Space, our Reading Aloud with Partners program, small groups that meet in backyards and coffee shops, and more. The hope is to reach folks who would never feel comfortable in a traditional church setting.

I'm originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida but spent time pastoring in my husband's home state of Alabama. I worked in Montgomery as the site coordinator of Communities of Transformation- an organization committed to alleviating poverty through community building. Some fun stuff: my husband Macon and I are dog parents to a very sweet English shepherd named Nora. I love travelling, trying our new restaurants, and musical theater (you'll probably catch me humming to showtunes).

OPERATIONS MANAGER

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT 308
EMAIL: brobinson@firstunited.org

I have had the pleasure of working at First United for 5+ years after a career in association management and have lived in Ormond Beach for 12 years. I am originally from Sarasota and attended Florida Southern College, where I met my wife Kristin. I love sports, all kinds of sports but especially enjoy watching baseball and coaching my son’s competitive team. In my spare time not spent at sporting events, I enjoy the outdoors, paddleboarding, the beach and running. I am especially proud of my 2 children Brody and Reece.

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 314
EMAIL: thegel@firstunited.org

Originally from Rochester NY, I spent a quick stint in Long Island and ended up in Philadelphia, where I graduated college with a degree in Dental Hygiene. Little did I know God had other plans for me. I was called into music ministry in 1997 when our church, Sanctuary United Methodist decided to start a contemporary service. I then went to lead at Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene until in 2014 my husband Glenn and I decided we were tired of the cold and snow, so we moved here to Ormond Beach. I've been blessed to work at First United for almost 8 years! God has given me a heart for music ministry, and I love integrating songs, media, the message and multisensory elements into powerful worship experiences.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband, and pets, travelling; especially cruises, cooking and paddleboarding.

DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 337
EMAIL: cbookwalter@firstunited.org

I love working with children and youth of all ages as they learn and grow in their faith. Seeing a child or youth take their next step in faith is a wonderful thing. I have a strong compassion for children and want them to have a safe environment to grow in their faith. I also love planning big events like Adventure Week (VBS) and Youth Mission Weeks. I have been in ministry since 2008.

I graduated from Duke Divinity School with a Masters of Christian Practice. I was part of a hybrid learning program for disciplined theological reflection and preparation for ministry. I am a certified candidate for ordained ministry on the Deacon track in the United Methodist Church.

When I’m not at work, I love to be with my husband, Joe and daughter, Ellie. We love to kayak, hike, and being in the mountains. I enjoy being with my family and my friends and sitting by the beach listening to the waves. Joe and I have 3 dogs, Jack, Hunter and Hank.

NEXT STEPS LEADER

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 307
EMAIL: tkraft@firstunited.org

Originally from southern California, I graduated from UC San Diego with a Biology degree and I was commissioned in the US Navy. My plan was to go to medical school after my four year Navy commitment. Little did I realize how much I’d love the Navy, it’s mission and especially Navy people. I served for seven years as an officer until my first son was born and God told me clearly, “The Navy has plenty of Admin officers, but this baby has just one Mommy.” Our Navy family served for 28 years and lived in all four corners of the USA. We moved to Daytona Beach in 2013 and found First United in 2014.

Raised from birth in a Baptist pew, I have two life verses: Phil 4:13 “I can do ALL THINGS (not just the easy ones) through CHRIST who gives me strength. AND Luke 1:37 “For with God NOTHING shall be impossible.” (Capitalization and emphasis mine.) In addition to my calling as the mom of Josh and Luke and my new daughter Nyssa, I love my role as Next Steps Leader at First United. In my spare time, I’m an avid Cross-Fit junkie, soap crafter, and long-arm quilter. Where ever God calls you – LOVE BIGGER.

Youth Minister

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 302
EMAIL: dreed@firstunited.org

Hey, I’m Dylan. I am the new addition to the church working as the Youth Minister! I am originally from Melbourne FL, but for the last 9 years I’ve done youth ministry in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. My mom, dad, sister, and her fiancé all live in West Melbourne. I also have family in Bradenton and Michigan!

Most recently, I was the Director of Youth and Young Adults at First UMC in Mount Dora, but also served at First UMC in Tuscaloosa, Wesley UMC in Evans GA, and Mount Hebron UMC in SC. This will be my 9th year in full time ministry, I have studied my undergrad at Liberty University, and my master’s degree in theology from Indiana Wesleyan.

I love soccer, I coach locally here in Ormond Beach both for club and high school, love the beach, and some good sushi. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, fishing, and trivia/game nights at local hangout spots!

Music: Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mumford & Sons, and Sublime are my go-to choices.

Movies: I enjoy Star Wars, 007 Sky Fall , Marvel movies (Spiderman are my favorites), The God Father Part 1 and 2, Batman Begins and Dark Knight Rises.

TV: Current: Stranger Things, Ted Lasso, and Better Call Saul | All Time: Breaking Bad, Narcos, Last Chance U

DIRECTOR OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 336
EMAIL: msilveira@firstunited.org

I have been the Director (and was the catalyst for the vision of the J.E.L.L.O program) for 22+ years. Every week I passionately lead infants through preschoolers and their parents and caregivers with songs, crafts, story time and much more. I have the audacious goal of connecting families from our community that don’t “do church.” When I'm not thinking about J.E.L.L.O, I enjoy time with my family; Jorge my encouraging and supportive husband, my two sons, and daughter in- law. For me, a perfect Sunday evening is a beach bike ride at sunset. The Bible verse I keep close to my heart is Mark 16:15 “and He said to them go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.”

FINANCIAL ASSISTANT

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 310
EMAIL: cpatton@firstunited.org

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, I moved to Orlando with my family while still in high school and have been a true beach person ever since. I studied Computer Programming in college but found a career path in finance was the true expression of my gifts. I was the Director of Finance for American Door and Millwork in Sanford Florida for many years, and the Finance Coordinator for St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and School in Oviedo before joining First United in December 2014.

I live in New Smyrna Beach with my husband Joe who is retired from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department. We have two grown daughters, Kendra, and Jena, and three grandchildren, Dylan, Rainey, and Brynlee. We love spending time with family and friends. We enjoy taking every opportunity to travel and love cruises and long weekend getaways. We have a cute little 2-year-old pug named Winnie who melts our hearts and keeps us busy daily.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE PASTOR

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 311
EMAIL: fjohnston@firstunited.org

I married my lovely wife Marty in 1967. We have one daughter Tammy Hegel and son-in-law Glenn; one son Frank, daughter-in-law Michelle and granddaughter Madelyn.

I was born in Vermont and graduated from the University of Rochester in New York State and worked for the Eastman Kodak Company for 27 years. I’ve been the Director of Congregation Care at Sanctuary UMC, a Certified Lay Minister, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, a Licensed Local Pastor, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, the Interim Pastor at Hope UMC, and Pastor of Congregational Care at Sanctuary UMC in Pennsylvania.

We have lived in Ohio, Long Island, and Pennsylvania. I took early retirement, and then managed New Hope Photo for another 24 years. I enjoy travel, especially cruising. I did a self-driving tour of Northern Scotland and made two church affiliated pilgrimages to Israel. I enjoy cooking, golf, photography, music, computers and researching my Scottish ancestry.

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

OFFICE: 386-677-3851
EMAIL: ldares@firstunited.org

I have served in music ministry for more than 20 years; in churches at FUMC Plant City, FUMC Boca Raton and Sanlando UMC in Longwood. My professional singing credits include: Voices of Liberty at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT center, soloist and vocal coach for the Boca Pops Orchestra, Soloist with Orchestras and Opera Companies throughout Florida.

My experience directing choirs and instrumentalists of all ages include a 40-voice youth choir that toured annually for 10 years with an emphasis on missions throughout Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina & South Carolina. If you haven't already guessed, I'm passionate about music, worship and people. My mission for music ministry is to “build relationships and encourage people to serve!”

I am married to Alan and we have two teenagers, Lexi & Scott and one grown daughter, Jena and a grandson Mason.

I am thrilled to be serving with the dynamic staff at FUMC Ormond Beach.

Gathering Place Worship Leader and Ministry Coordinator

OFFICE: 386-677-3581
EMAIL: marmistead@firstunited.org

Music is one of my greatest passions, so I am excited and humbled to serve as the Worship Leader for The Gathering Place. I also serve as the Ministry Coordinator for The Gathering Place, which speaks to my love of organization, systems, and building teams. Needless to say, this role feels like a perfect fit!

But what's even better is that I get to serve alongside my wife, Amy, who is the Pastor of The Gathering Place. We met in seminary and were married in 2019, then moved to Florida the next year. After years of serving apart, I am excited for this new chapter of being in ministry together.

Originally from north Alabama, I have a Bachelor degree in ministry from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL and my Master of Divinity is from Duke Divinity School. Before moving to Florida, I served at Huntingdon College as the director of a summer youth academy for high school and college students discerning calls to ministry.

I am a provisional deacon in the Florida Conference and I'm also a spiritual director. Outside of work, you can find me at the beach, performing or directing in local theatre productions, or dealing with our anxious dog, Nora, during our many Florida thunderstorms.

MINISTRY ASSISTANT

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 313
EMAIL: jmurphy@firstunited.org

My husband Darrell and I are originally from Northern Indiana. Go Irish!! Our greatest joy is our combined family of 6 children and 7 grandchildren. I enjoy music, movies, hiking, traveling, landscaping, and spending time at the beach. Professionally, I managed an accounting firm for several years before God called me to work administratively within the United Methodist Church. Being committed to following God’s will and His leading, I accepted previous UMC leadership roles in both Plymouth, Indiana and Coral Gables, Florida. I love being part of the ministry team here at First UMC and am blessed to be serving with you.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & BRANDING

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 316
EMAIL: jgiraulo@firstunited.org

Originally from Long Island, New York, I moved to Palm Coast with my parents in 1993 and soon most of my whole extended family joined us here in Florida. In high school I discovered a passion for digital storytelling and attended Flagler College in St. Augustine, earning my bachelors degree in broadcast communications. I met my wonderful wife Mary in 2006 and we were married just a year later. In 2018 we welcomed our beautiful son Dallan to our family. In our fleeting spare time our family loves to go exploring in the great outdoors, and as avid birders, we’re always eager to add new species to our life list. When not out and about, I enjoy playing the guitar, working on my photography, or building terrible furniture for our home (I’m getting better though). I have focused on the creative throughout my career, and am thrilled to join the First United Family.

WEDDING COORDINATOR

OFFICE: 386-677-3581 EXT. 208
EMAIL: weddings@firstunited.org

Would you like to have your wedding and/or reception at First United? Contact our Wedding Coordinator for availability and planning!