Staff

The staff of First United Methodist Church Pensacola, FL is ready to serve you, enable you, help you grow, be there in times of crisis and work with you to become better disciples and faithful servants of God’s Kingdom. Please feel free to e-mail or call for help, hope, inspiration and fellowship as you need to. We are always here to provide assistance to visitors, church members and the community.

Pastors

Wesley H. Wachob, Senior Pastor

The Rev. Dr. Wachob is a native of Chipley, Florida; He pursued his undergraduate degree at Southeastern College (B.A.), studied at Erskine Theological Seminary and the Candler School of Theology (M.Div.), did his doctoral work at the University of Chicago and Emory University (Ph.D.), and has been a member of the Society of Biblical Literature since 1985. A member of the Alabama – West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1975, he has also served congregations in three other annual conferences (North Georgia, Northern Illinois, and South Carolina). Prior to his present position, he was the Sr. Pastor of the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus of Emory University, where he also taught in the Candler School of Theology. Wesley was appointed to First Church in 2006. Wesley enjoys reading, golf, running, and spending time with his two children.

Among Dr. Wachob’s publications are The Voice of Jesus in the Social Rhetoric of James (Cambridge University Press, 2002), and contributions to The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Authenticating the Words of Jesus, Fabrics of Discourse, and most recently contributing to Reading James with New Eyes: Methodological Reassessments of the Letter of James (Continuum International Publishing Group, 2007).

Geoffrey D. Lentz, Executive Pastor

Geoffrey D. Lentz is a native of Pensacola, Florida and serves as the Executive Pastor of First United Methodist Church in his hometown. With a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of West Florida and a Master of Divinity from Duke University, Rev. Lentz combines his knowledge of ancient church history with creative and innovative worship in the church’s fourth Sunday morning service called ICON. This cutting edge, tradition rich, and Christ centered style of worship is rapidly becoming the example for the future of Christian worship. He is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry with a focus on preaching and liturgy through Drew University.

Geoffrey and his wife, Elizabeth (Liz) live in Pensacola with their two children, Luke and Eliza. Geoffrey enjoys the outdoors, reading, music, and Duke University Basketball. Geoffrey is author of The Gospel According to St. Luke: A Participatory Study Guide and coauthor of Learning and Living Scripture: A Participatory Study Method and editor of A Living Psalter: Creative Reflections on the Psalms.  He blogs occasionally at GeoffreyLentz.com.  Geoffrey was also honored in 2011 by the Independent Newspaper as a Rising Star of Pensacola.

Ken Autrey, Pastor of Evangelism and Pastoral Care

Ken Autrey was born and reared in Selma, Alabama. He is a graduate of Livingston University, now known as The University of West Alabama, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He received his Master of Divinity from The Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He was ordained Deacon in 1974 and Elder in Full Connection in 1976, and has served churches across the bounds of The Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference.

Ken is married to the former Pamela Lynne Krause and they have two children, Kristoffer, age 22 and Morgan, age 13.  Ken enjoys travel, reading and golf, but not necessarily in that order.

 

Mary Ann Gantt, Pastor of Christian Education

Mary Ann Gantt was born in Covington County, AL and is the only daughter and fourth child of Pollard Revenel “Pap” and Edra Gantt. She graduated from Straughn School and has two daughters: Katie, married to Luke Campbell, mother of Carter and Ryan (living in Aledo, TX) and Sarah, living in Birmingham and teaching at Concord Elementary School.

Rev. Gantt received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Judson College and a Masters Degree from Troy University. She received her Masters of Divinity Degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Ministry from Columbia School of Theology.

Before becoming an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, Rev. Gantt spent thirty years as teacher, counselor, and administrator. She has served four years as an Associate Pastor at Glenn Memorial UMC in Atlanta and most recently as the Senior Pastor of Satsuma UMC for 2 Years.

Scott Grantland, Pastor of Mission and Outreach

Rev. Scott Grantland was born in Dothan, AL and raised in Panama City Beach, FL. He received a B.A. Degree in Religion from Birmingham-Southern College and a Master of Divinity Degree from Duke Divinity School. While at Duke, he served summer placements at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta and First United Methodist Church of Montgomery. He also served as Minister of Pastoral Care at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church during his final year of seminary. His favorite courses in seminary were those that engaged preaching and those that addressed the church’s role in sharing in God’s ministry of reconciliation. Scott enjoys reading, the beach, travel, and anything relating to Duke Basketball.

 

Rick Branch, Minister of Music

Rick is the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church. He is an ordained Deacon and is professionally certified as a Minister of Music. He received a B.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Central Florida and a M.A. in Church Music and Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Under Rick’s leadership our ten choirs provide an opportunity for everyone to lift up their voice to the Lord! He has done post-graduate work at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Rick is married to Heidi and they have two children. Rick joined the staff at First Church in 1994.

 

Program Staff

Lisa Bond, Director of Children’s Ministries
Lisa joined the staff of First United Methodist Church in the fall of 2008.  She has a B.A. in Christian Education from Huntingdon College. In addition to working at First Church, she currently serves on the Treehouse Board of the Pensacola Little Theater (Children’s Theatre Program) and volunteers at her children’s schools.  She is married and has three children, Connor, Mary and Caroline.

 

 

Emily Capes, Director of Youth Ministries
Emily is a graduate of Florida State University with a B.A. in Music Therapy and originally served as the Director of Children’s Ministries for 3 1/2 years at First Church. After leaving First Church to pursue a dream of hiking all 2,172 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 2003, she later returned in 2005 to serve as the Director of Youth Ministries.

 

 

Debra Tallman, Director of  Senior Adult Ministries
Heidi Branch, Assistant Music Director/Accompanist
Libby Hargrave, 9:30 Worship Leader/Music Assistant
Mici Kuba, Events Coordinator

Jeb Hunt, Director of Communications/ICON Worship Leader
Jeb Hunt is a native of Pensacola, Florida and serves as the Director of Communications at First United Methodist Church in Pensacola.  As Director of Communications, Jeb is responsible for the overall communication strategies for Florida’s oldest Methodist church including print, web, and television advertising.  He received a B.A. Degree in Communication Arts with a specialization in Telecommunications and Film from the University of West Florida.  While in college, Jeb had the opportunity to travel extensively around Europe and South America, filming two feature–length independent documentaries.  He is currently working on a Masters of Arts in Christian Practice from Duke University with intentions to become an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church.  He enjoys biking, swimming and running and is currently training for a triathlon.

Church Administration Staff
Jerry Maygarden, Church Administrator
Scott McKnight, Associate Church Administrator
Ann Agee Busbee, Financial Assistant
Peg Scruggs, Office Manager
Ginger Raines, Senior Administrative Assistant
Rick Potter, Environmental Services
Kyle Hall, Information Technologies
Jane Reich, Program Administrative Assistant
Brett Ralston, Contracts Manager

Childcare Program Staff
Denise Van Atta, Director of Childcare Programs and Tween Ministries
Lynda Rabon, Director of Learning Enrichment Program (LEP)
Cathy Potter, Director of Noah’s Ark
Celeste Biel, Director of After School Program