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Reverend Tom Palmer, Senior Pastor Dr. Palmer will officially begin work at Suncreek on July 1st. Dr. Palmer has over 20 years of ordained service within the North Texas Conference. Prior to his appointment to Vista Ridge in 2000, Dr. Palmer served three years as Senior Pastor at Trailwood UMC in Grand Prairie, preceded by five years as Senior Pastor at Prosper UMC, and four years as Associate Pastor at Asbury UMC in Denton. Dr. Palmer earned both his Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. His Bachelor of Arts was awarded by Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. Joining Tom is his wife of twenty years, Lisa, and their three children, Caleb, 15; Jacob, 12; and Olivia, 6. Lisa is a pediatric occupational therapist. Their children enjoy sports, school and church activities. Lisa and Tom are also in training to become foster parents through the Methodist Children's Home.
Rev.
Kevin Holland, Minister
of Music At Suncreek UMC, Kevin serves as staff liaison to the Worship Committee and Technology Committee. He coordinates all aspects of the outstanding Music Ministries at Suncreek. This includes choral groups, instrumental ensembles, and activities like Children’s Summer Music Camp. He works closely with a large volunteer team to facilitate our rich and varied music ministries. As an interesting side note, Kevin also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemistry, has taught chemistry at the university level (Elon University, Campbell University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte) and worked as Director of Technical Services for a biotechnology firm in Charlottesville, VA. It was during his stay in Virginia that he made the transition from being a part-time church musician to full time. While having served churches on a part-time basis continually since his college days, Kevin’s first full-time appointment came in 1995. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1997 by University Baptist Church in Charlottesville, VA. Kevin is blessed to be married to Karen (a full-time Sales Director with the Mary Kay organization) and has the two most wonderful daughters anyone could ask for – Ashley and Sarah. Those who work with Kevin in our Music Ministries often remark how exciting and rewarding it is to work with such a master conductor and teacher. Persons often feel a powerful sense that they are part of something special when they work with him. The result is beautiful music that feeds the soul.
Reverend Holly Gotelli, Associate Minister, Minister with Adults
Rev. Holly Gotelli serves as Associate Pastor and Minister with Adults at Suncreek UMC. Holly was certified as a Candidate for Ordained Ministry by the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2002. In June, 2005, Holly was appointed by Bishop Moncure as a Licensed Local Pastor to Suncreek UMC. She graduated from Perkins School of Theology in 2008. She had been commissioned for ordained ministry on the Elder track. At Suncreek, Holly’s responsibilities include pastoral care, worship leadership, and oversight of all adult ministries. She also serves as staff liaison to the Evangelism Committee and the Committee on Church and Society. Before coming to Suncreek in 1998, Holly and her family lived in Colorado, where they were active members of St. Andrew United Methodist church in Littleton. While at Suncreek, Holly has served on the Adult Ministries, Worship, and Staff-Parish Relations Committees, and served as vice-chair and chair of the Administrative Board of the church. She and her husband, Trip, started the Wesley Sunday School class in 1999. Holly grew up in Richardson and graduated from Richardson High School. She received a B.A. in Journalism from Texas Tech University, and a J.D. from Texas Tech Law School. She became a member of the Texas Bar in 1990, and practiced law with two Dallas law firms in the 1990's. Holly and Trip met at Tech and have been married since 1987. They are blessed with two wonderful children – Andy and Ellen. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, Holly enjoys jazz music, cooking Italian food, and running.
Evan Jones, Minister with Youth & Their Families
Evan has a B.S. in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of North Texas. His continuing education experiences include attending Perkins School of Youth Ministry since 2000. Evan has spoken at many youth rallys and retreats in Southwest Texas. He has also spoken at events like the 2005 UM Communicators National Conference and the Hendrix-Lilly Symposium on Mission & Vocation. He wrote a Confirmation curriculum entitled The Journey and a youth programming supplement for Dorothy Bass' book Way To Live published by Youth Ministry Associates. Evan and Jana, his wife, have a young son, Kyler.
Adriene has been actively involved at
Suncreek UMC for more than 9 years. She
has taught at the Suncreek Children’s
Development Center for 4 and a half
years, working with four and five
year olds and developing curriculum
in math and science.
Prior to teaching at the preschool,
she was on Suncreek’s staff as an interim Director of the Chancel Choir. She developed Children’s
Choir programming and initiated
the drive to purchase Chimes and
Handbells. She directed our first
children’s musical and has been
directly involved in six years of April
Fool’s Fest, a lively music variety show.
Adriene offers a strong passion with children and an energetic and creative spirit. She is theologically grounded, interpersonally adept, organized, and a joy to serve alongside of in ministry.
Janet Hunt, Director of Community Ministries Janet and her husband Tony live in Murphy with their three children – Evan, 17, Meredith, 15, and Parker, 10. Her hobbies are working out, bike riding, camping, shopping, listening to contemporary Christian music and spending time with her children and dog.
Steve Wagner, Business Administrator Steve and his wife Lori moved from Nappanee, Indiana to join our staff in May 2007. He is responsible for the business affairs of the church. For the past 21 years, he was president of his family’s furniture store and oversaw significant growth in sales and personnel. Also, he was an Adjunct Professor at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he taught Organizational Management. Steve has an associate degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Bethel College. He earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies with a concentration in Church History from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Asbury is associated with the United Methodist Church. Before arriving here at Suncreek, Steve served in various lay roles for his church. But he felt a strong call to seek out a church who could utilize his business experience more fully. Steve works closely with the Trustees, the Finance Committee, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, and the Technology Committee.
Jennifer Evans, Office Administrator Jennifer is responsible for the general operation of the church office and facility, coordinating the use of the facility and administrative support for the Senior Pastor.
Jennifer is a lifelong Methodist and has been a member at Suncreek since July 2000. Prior to coming to Suncreek, she worked as Administrative Assistant for the Director of Athletics in the Edmond Public Schools, Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Business at Texas Tech University School of Medicine and Administrative Assistant to the President of the University of Texas at El Paso. Jennifer and her husband Rick were both raised on cattle ranches near McLean, East of Amarillo and have large extended families in that area. They have two sons, Chris and Jack. Chris and his wife Gabriela have two daughters, Aubrey and Rachel, and live in Edmond, OK. Jack, his wife April, and their children, Jenna, Jaica, and Zane live in Allen. Jennifer's hobbies include playing with her grandchildren and researching their family genealogy.
Lisa Newman, Preschool Director Lisa began serving as Director of Suncreek Children’s Development Center in March of 2008. Lisa grew up in Iowa and attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in 1992 with a BA in Elementary Education. She started her career teaching second grade in the Houston area. She changed gears and found herself comfortable in the world of early childhood education as a preschool teacher in South Dakota and Iowa before becoming the pre school director at Our Savior Lutheran Church in McKinney. For the last few years Lisa has been a substitute teacher for McKinney ISD. She brings over 12 years of experience working with preschool and school aged children. Lisa and her husband Cory have lived in McKinney for over 10 years. Cory works for an insurance company’s home office in McKinney, United American Insurance/Torchmark Corporation. They have two elementary school age sons: Cole and Caleb. In her spare time Lisa likes to read, cook, play golf, and spend time with family camping. Lisa is very excited about being part of such a wonderful program here at Suncreek. She looks forward to the growth that the preschool will be going through in years to come.
Suzanne Corona, Young Children's Ministries Coordinator
“Getting hugs and kisses is the best part of my job,” says Suzanne. “We make it a priority to keep kids motivated by making church fun for them. We interact with them and have creative activities available instead of just popping in a video. In the near future, we will offer the two year-olds Baby Church which uses cute songs, lessons, and prayers to offer a brief introduction to the bible.”
Suzanne graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Arts and Sciences, but says she switched to a focus on young children because, “It’s so much more fun!” She regularly participates in Children’s Ministry conferences like Perkins School of Children’s Ministry.
A life-long Methodist, Suzanne grew up in Richardson and currently lives in Frisco. Suzanne and James are the proud parents of three young children, two sons and a daughter. She loves reading, crafts, movies, and spending time with her family.
Mary McMahon , Communications Administrative Assistant Mary has a BS in Business Administration and an Associate of Arts degree in Mary, a life long Methodist, has been an active member of Suncreek UMC since September 2001. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Mary moved to Dallas in 1994, where she met and married her husband David. They have two children Natalie and Paige.
Brad directs the Worship Team which provides music leadership during the 9:30 am worship service. On any given Sunday, he might be playing keyboard, percussion, acoustic/electric guitar (a self-proclaimed "hack"), French horn, singing backup, or sharing his talent as lead vocalist. Brad works closely with our Minister of Music to select and arrange the music to ensure a thoughtful, seamless and worshipful experience, effectively combining a traditional order of service with the contemporary music of our faith. Brad loves all genres of music and has been studying since age four. He will attribute much of his music theory and theology to a genetic apprenticeship under his father, Dr. Harrell C. Lucky. "Music was a part of my life growing up. Whether it was watching both my parents in choirs, my father directing choirs and orchestras as Minister of Music, directing the choral/music departments at a college level or his leadership as director of the Irving Chorale." Although classically trained, the opportunity to contribute, and later lead, a contemporary music group literally fell into his lap during a chance encounter at a local park (kudos to Kathy Walden). A visit to Suncreek, some sweet-talking from his wife, Shannon, a couple of weeks playing with the Worship Team, and a new relationship, and music life, was born.. "I have a love for the kind of music that opens and moves the hearts of a congregation," says Brad. "We try to harness the ultimate power of a wide range of music to maximize individual and congregational growth," he adds. It is a blessing to have such a multi-talented, dedicated musician and artist as part of our music ministry team. Brad and his wife Shannon, who is also an extremely talented vocalist in the Worship Team, reside in Allen and have two sons -- Nathan and Jordan. “My family and I are part of Suncreek and its ministry because it feeds our souls. There is something special about the people here that makes me want to give more of myself and ensure that the music, as part of the overall experience, is at the highest possible level,” says Brad. “Watching the congregation’s faces can be so spiritual. You can see it happening – the Spirit is flowing and hearts are opening. It may be a smile, a tear, a nod or a bowed head – but there is nothing quite like it and I feel privileged to be a part of such a powerful and growing music ministry at Suncreek!”
Click here to listen to a song written for Suncreek UMC by Brad and Shannon Lucky.
Melanie McManigal,
Organist & Principal Accompanist Melanie McManigal was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana and has been involved in church music from the time she was a child. She grew up in the Methodist church and started singing in youth choirs at an early age. She began playing piano for children’s choirs in junior high and has been accompanying choirs ever since. Melanie received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Iowa majoring in violin and piano and a Master of Science degree from Iowa State University in Higher Education. Previously, Melanie served as Director of Music for 15 years at St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Johnston, Iowa where she directed the adult choir. She began playing at Suncreek UMC for Cantate at their very first practice in 2005 and as they say, the rest is history! Melanie works full-time as a medical office manager for Contemporary Women’s Care in Carrollton. She also teaches private piano and violin lessons. The McManigals moved to Texas from Iowa in 1999. Her two daughters Heather and Megan are active members of Cantate. Her husband Tom is a media specialist with AVW-TELAV and spends much of his time traveling to various shows/events around the country.
|
Rev. Kevin Holland joined
the church staff in January 2005. A native of North Carolina, Kevin
holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in percussion performance and conducting
from Elon 
Evan Jones joined the Suncreek UMC staff in August of 2007. He has served as Director of Youth Ministries at Travis Park United Methodist Church in downtown San Antonio from 2000 to 2007. He was also the Creator and Director of the 
Adriene began serving in the position of Minister with Children and
Their Families in January of 2007. Adriene has a BA in Communication/
Public Relations from Arizona State
University and a Teaching Certificate
from The University of Texas at
Arlington. She has taught first
grade and fourth grade in Dallas
and Garland.
Janet began
serving as Director of Community Ministries in the Fall of 2005. Her responsibilities will include Missions,
Congregational Care, and Young Adult/ College Age Ministries. She
is the staff member that relates to the Congregational Care and Missions
Committees.She served as
the church’s Minister with Youth from spring 2000 to Summer 2005.
Before coming to Suncreek, Janet served as Youth Minister at three other
churches. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech
University where she majored in Family Studies. She attained minors in
English and Substance Abuse before officially beginning her ministry in 1987. 
Suzanne’s job is to make sure that the nursery
Julie
joined the staff of Suncreek UMC in August 2007 as the Coordinator of Children's Choirs and JAM Choir teacher. She began her career in church music in 1991 where she was employed at Highland Park Presbyterian Church as the Assistant to the Director of Music and the Director of the Second Grade Choir. She relocated to Austin in 1997 with her husband Paul, and while in Austin she worked part-time as the Assistant to the Director of Music and taught the 4-year old and Kindergarten Choirs at Covenant Presbyterian Church. During that time she was also the Preschool Music Teacher for the Covenant Presbyterian Church Day School. Julie has studied music at The Wichita State University in Wichita, KS and has also studied voice and piano privately for years. She lives in Allen, Texas, with her husband Paul and their son, Connor.