Meet Your Program Staff
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Mary Freeman
Director Children's Ministry
Mary Freeman spent her childhood in Connecticut and moved to Orlando, Florida, as a teenager. There, she met her husband Greg, who had moved there from Alabama.Greg and Mary have been married 22 years and have three daughters: Angela, a sophomore at Allen High School; Alyssa, a student at LaGrange University in Georgia; and Ashley, a student at the University of North Texas Greg is also studying history at UNT.Mary earned her B.S. in Education from the University of Central Florida in 1989.
She taught preschool until she became the director of children's ministries at University Carillon UMC in Oveido, Florida.She worked in that position for 12 years before joining our staff last summer. Her goal for our children's program is to outgrow the space in Grace Land. While working in Florida, she learned that if dads are involved in children's ministry, their sons will participate. "Don't be afraid guys! No teaching experience is necessary," she says.
According to Mary, while dads make good teachers, dads are also a vital part in children's ministry in just providing crowd control. She also enjoys water sports, such as boating and jet skiing as well as hiking and camping. Mary's favorite thing she loves about Texas is the people.Mary's shares one of her favorite expressions, which she heard in a sermon in Florida:"Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no.' Don't be lukewarm."
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Adam Spore
Director Youth Ministry
Adam knew at a young age that he would become a minister. This was affirmed at the age of 14 at an annual conference he attended as the lay delegate, or young adult representative, for the Sherman/McKinney district.
After the conference his dad, who is also a preacher, became ill. Adam prepared a sermon for that Sunday and describes the experience as one where he experienced God. In greeting the parishioners after the service, Adam felt very comfortable and knew he was to be a preacher. Adam lived in Bonham, Mt Vernon, and Whitesboro for 15 years. He completed his undergraduate studies in religion at Austin College in 2007. While there, he participated in the ACtivator program, a mobile youth ministry that leads junior and senior high weekend spiritual retreats. Adam now attends seminary at SMU and lives in McKinney with his wife, Maridyth, whom he met at church in Whitesboro. They share a passion for youth and are both youth ministers.
While at Austin College, he stayed active with his Whitesboro church and desires the same experience for our at FUMC Allen youth.
His vision for our youth program is one that "helps the kids fill the gaps in their lives between home, school, and other activities by helping them put God first through personal devotion, scripture, mission, and meaningful relationships." Adam's plan as the Director of Youth Ministry is that of a six-year curriculum continuum, one which "completely equips youth with all the tools they need as strong Christians." Adam is a self proclaimed nerd. He plays the drums with the Praise Band during our 11:00am service, a skill he developed in high school band. He enjoys drawing, painting, and ceramics and would love to start this as a ministry at FUMC Allen.
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Susan Hale
Director of Discipleship
Susan Hale has served as the Director of Welcoming Ministries since October of 2010. Her favorite part of the job is greeting everyone who worships on Sunday mornings. She also enjoys helping people find a place to serve and a small group to get involved with. She believes getting involved is the best way to truly become a part of the church family and she is excited about helping people do that. Susan grew up in Virginia Beach, VA. She earned her B.A. in English from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Susan and her husband, Jason, have three sons: Erik, Lucas and Adam. They have lived in Allen since 2006. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, baking and traveling.Her favorite scripture is Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
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Terry Fecht
Associate Director of Music/Church Organist
Terry began playing preludes and offertories for church at 9 in Urich, Missouri. Terry describes music as a gift and began playing the church organ as a teenager and studied organ in college. She earned her BS in Spanish with a minor in English.Terry and Ron married in 1972 and have three grown children; one child born for each location lived: Germany, Virginia and Washington State.
Son Chris and wife Caryn have a daughter, Natalie and a son, Ryan; daughter Anne and husband Eric Hanson; and daughter Ellen and husband, Heith Benzine. Ellen and Heith have a son, Ryder. Terry has been playing the piano and organ for FUMCA since 1983 and has been interim Director of Music several times. She presently holds the position of Associate Director of Music/Organist and plays for our three worship services. Terry also accompanies the Praise Team, Sisters in Song, Chancel Choir and DayBreak Choir. When not making music at church Terry enjoys reading and hanging out with her husband, grown children and grandchildren.
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Dawn & Scott Horton
Directors Resonate Praise Team
Dawn Horton has grown up with FUMC Allen as an integral part of her life. Her parents, Chuck and Ada Williams, are long term members, and she and Scott were married in 2002 in our sanctuary. They are the parents of daughter Hannah. Dawn began leading the Praise Team with her husband, Scott, in 2003 and enjoys being able to share her love of music with Scott, as they plan music and lead rehearsals together. She’d love to see our contemporary worship become even more dynamic and spirit-led, but mostly, she treasures seeing the congregation worshipping and is often touched by the response of the congregation in worship—she has a great vantage point from the platform! Dawn began singing with the Praise Team 16 years ago as a summer substitute while she attended college at the University of Texas at Austin. There she earned her BS in Elementary Education (1997), minoring in music. After graduating, Dawn began teaching music at Rountree Elementary. She earned her MS in counseling from Texas A&M Commerce in 2000, and enjoyed being the school counselor at Green Elementary for seven years. In addition to the leading the Praise Team, Dawn is also on the Playday Board of Directors and led Day Camp last summer in its 25th year at her parents farm in Fairview. Her other interests include playing piano, scrapbooking and traveling. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
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Kim Mathews
Director Nursery Ministries
Kimberly Grant Mathews is a native of Vicksburg, MS. She received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS and a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. Mrs. Mathews received an Artist Diploma in the Professional Studies Program at Mannes College of Music in New York City, where she studied voice with the world-renowned soprano, Ruth Falcon. Mrs. Mathews’ honors and awards include: winner of the North Mississippi District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, winner of the Katherine Dunham Baton Rouge Opera Guild Scholarship, Young Artist with the Natchez Opera Festival Natchez, MS and Apprentice Artist with Des Moines Metro Opera.
She currently teaches preschool at Children’s Creative Playday and is the Nursery Director and co-director of the children’s choir at First United Methodist Church in Allen, TX. Ms. Mathews lives in Alen with her husband and their son, Christian and daughter, Lydia. |
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