First United Methodist Church of Allen

Your Pastoral Staff

Rev. Todd Harris
Senior Pastor

Todd Harris is a native Texan, born in San Antonio and raised in Houston. As a teenager, he began to hear God's call to ministry, and he believed he would someday be working in some capacity within the church.

As a student at Texas A&M, he was involved in the Wesley Foundation and taught fourth grade Sunday school. After graduation, he spent a semester traveling in Europe.Upon his return, he began seminary at Perkins School of Theology where he received his degree in 1990. Two years later, he married his wife, Stephanie, and they are the parents of two children: Kathryn, 12, and Philip, 7. Their lives are sometimes used to illustrate their dad's Sunday sermons.

Todd has served the Lord in many roles during his faith walk. Like many pastors, he's served as the youth director at churches in Houston and Canton. Todd also served for five years at John Wesley Church in Houston as an associate pastor. He was the senior pastor at St Andrew's UMC in Mt. Pleasant.Prior to his appointment at FUMC Allen, he served as associate pastor at Christ UMC in Plano for 10 years.

Todd has been serving as our senior pastor since Father's Day 2006. In addition to the many roles he plays here at the church, he is the chair of the Committee on Preparations and Qualifications for the Board of Ordained Ministry. In this role, he participates in the examination of candidates for ordination. He's also a member of a clergy group that takes bimonthly retreats to support each other in ministry.

Todd enjoys fly fishing and would love to retire to Eleven Mile Canyon in Colorado to fish and read John Grisham novels. Until then, he's thrilled to be serving at FUMC where his goal is to "maximize the God-given potential of our congregation."

His prayer for all of us is to be intentional about our discipleship and in sharing our faith with others.

Rev. Brian McPherson
Executive Pastor/Adult Ministries

Brian McPherson was born in Gainesville, Texas, and grew up in Archer City and Jacksboro. He received his bachelor of arts in English from Texas A&M University and his master of divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU).

Rev. McPherson has worked in various industries including time spent as a professional musician and in entertainment technology. Ultimately, this experience led to his service through ministry.

Brian views working with others as the best part of his job. He has been executive pastor at FUMC Allen for seven years and just completed a short-term assignment as our interim music minister. He has now added adult ministry to his oversite responsibilities. As executive pastor he partners with the senior pastor in all ministerial functions and supervises the staff and the trustees.

He and his wife Cathy have two sons, Jeffrey and Alex. He has enjoyed seeing the growth his children have experienced through the children's ministries at FUMC Allen, along with watching them play basketball with the Upward sports program.
His hobbies include music, reading, and travel.

His prayer for the church is to see FUMC Allen beome the best church it can be for Christ.

Rev. June Franck
Associate Pastor/Caring & Support Ministries/Senior Adults

Rev. June Frank has served as associate pastor for caring and support ministries for close to ten years. She sees her role as conveying God's presence in times of joy, grief, and trial, while teaching and facilitating others in caring for one another.

June has been in ministerial services since 2001, and strives for others to see God's presence in people. June has a goal of caring for God's children regardless of age, within the church and the community. June was born and grew up in Greensboro, Georgia. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma City University, and a Master of Christian Science and Pastoral Care from Brite Divinity School in December 2009.

June and her husband, David, have been in Dallas for 21 years.They have been blessed with six children and nine grandchildren.
Before entering the ministry, June worked in the marketing industry for various companies, including her own business.
Her hobbies include gardening, needle tatting, and spending time with her family.

Rev. Rusty King
Music Ministry

Rev. Rusty King graduated from high school in Jackson, Mississippi. He then went on to major in sacred music at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated in 1979. He continued his education at SMU/Perkins where he took foundation courses in theology and courses in music. He was consecrated Diaconal Minister in 1999, and in 2002, he was ordained Deacon.

He has been married to his wife, Stephanie, for 28 years and have two grown daughters. Ann Michele is 23 and works in Houston as a graphic designer. Emily is 22, just graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in kinesiology and plans to continue her schooling by going to Parker Chiropractic College in Dallas.

Rev. King has been very blessed to have served at Spring Valley UMC for 14 years. It has been a time filled with meaning and joy as he ministered with, for, and to the people. The work was extremely fulfilling and God blessed the ministry.

Prior to Spring Valley, he served in music ministry at FUMC in Texarkana, Arkansas, for 9½ years. He was privileged to try many different types of music ministry and see them come to fruition with God’s help and the supportive congregation there. In both places, he expanded the number of individuals participating while expanding the scope and variety of musical expressions of the community for both worship and beyond the walls of the sanctuary.

He has enjoyed directing children’s, youth and adult singing choirs; children’s, youth and adult handbell choirs; adult orchestra; youth and adult praise bands; children’s, youth and adults sacred musicals; intergenerational summer musicals; and taking youth and adult choir tours all over the United States and literally around the world including Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Hawaii.
Rusty enjoys playing racquetball. He plays Frisbee golf and is a woodworker.

Rusty is so excited about being a partner in music ministry with you here at FUMC Allen. He looks forward to helping this program achieve its very promising potential as together we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Rev. Maxie Moore
Recreational Ministries

Maxie Moore was born and raised in Magee, Mississippi. She received her Bachelor of Art in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Mississippi University for Women. She obtained her Masters of Health and Physical Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and required her Mid-Management Certification from Texas Women’s University.

For 30 years, Rev. Moore taught physical education and coached on the junior high level. Upon retirement, God opened the door for full-time ministry at FUMC Allen as Director of Adult Education and Family Fellowship. She completed the requirements for a local pastor, served as the pastor of Cockrell Hill UMC, before returning to FUMC Allen as Director of Recreational Ministries.
Maxie and her husband, George, have two grown daughters and four grandchildren.

Her favorite pastime is playing golf and most other games. She has a passion for teaching and, especially, for leading Disciple Bible Study.

Maxie begins each day with the Psalm 118:24; “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it”.

Rev. Abe Smith
New Church Planter

Abe Smith is originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, and has been serving in ministry since 1993. After completing a bachelor of science in education at Baylor University, Abe returned to Hot Springs and worked as the director of youth ministries at First United Methodist Church. Before returning to Hot Springs, Abe was married to Amy.

Amy, who is also a graduate of Baylor University and Ouachita Baptist University, owns her own Kumon Math and Reading Center in West McKinney. They met as leaders in Young Life and continue to work as a team in their day-to-day lives. The Smiths have three daughters, Abigail, Anna Beth, and Addison, and one son, Abram.

In 2002, Abe moved to Texas to continue in ministry while attending seminary at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University; in May 2006, he received his Master of Divinity and was ordained as an elder in May 2009. During this time, he served at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, as the Minister to Youth and Contemporary Worship.

In 2011, Abe joined the team at FUMC Allen, as the new campus minister. The new church, LivingLife, is underway with a growing launch team, new small groups forming, and community events taking place. LivingLife is scheduled to begin holding worship services in the fall of 2012. Abe is thrilled to be a part of the city of Allen and is currently a chaplain for the Allen Police Department, a member of Leadership Allen, speaks at schools and various organizations, consults with churches and non-profits, and enjoys getting to know people in the community.

If you would like to know more about the new church, LivingLife, or ways to get involved be sure to contact Abe. He would be happy to grab a bite to eat or just hang out.