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Claire Butler
Director of Children's Ministry | claire.spumc@gmail.com
We are so excited to welcome Claire Butler to SoPines UMC as our Director of Children's Ministry.
Claire was born in Sanford and lived with her brother, Mom, and Dad until she enrolled at NCSU for an Elementary Education degree. After teaching for a year in Cary she moved to Southern Pines where she married Sean Butler and joined SoPinesUMC. Claire is a homeschooling mom to her children Ryder (11), Webb (8), and Maclaine (6). They live on a farm in West End where we enjoy our goats, ducks, dog Marley and all the other wonderful creatures that make their home here. She values her time outside, soaking up God’s beautiful creation!
Laura Southerland
Social Media Ministry, Dir. of Comms, A/V Production Ops, & Still Photographer | sopinesumc@gmail.com
Born and raised in Southern Pines, Laura is a lifelong SoPinesUMC member. Her first paying job was feeding Mrs. Jane Dillon’s cat, Snickers! Laura was an active youth member, from being an acolyte to attending youth group and singing in the youth choir. She may have even played the handbells once or twice, but being active locally wasn’t enough. At the state level, she represented SoPines UMC as the church’s ACS delegate and was elected as an ACS youth officer multiple times. After college at UNCW, Laura spent the next 15 years in Event / Live Broadcast Operations before packing up & moving back home to Southern Pines.
“I am so excited to showcase our AMAZING church to the community, to share all our WONDERFUL acts of service, and to INSPIRE those to lead a life of discipleship and service. The church has always been there for me and now it’s my turn!”
Elias ballew
Associate Pastor | eballew@nccumc.org
I grew up in Roanoke Rapids NC and went to NC State for undergrad. After some time in the Marine Corps and working in non-profit work. I began working in ministry in 2019 as a youth pastor commuting back and for the between Cary and Sanford. I attended Duke for seminary in 2019 and graduated in 2022. I also worked at St James UMC in Raleigh during my time in seminary as a youth pastor.
I began my first appointment here in July 2022 as the associate pastor. I am excited to work with the youth group here and to shepherd them in their faith journey and to connect them to God, the church, and to the conference. I love leading worship, preaching, and presiding over the table.
In my free time, I enjoy running and working out. I also enjoy hiking, playing disc golf, and taking trips to beautiful places in the area and around the world. I have an older brother Caleb, a twin sister Olivia, and two cats Cal and Hobbes.
Southern Pines United Methodist Church
175 MIDLAND ROAD
SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387
PHONE: 910-692-3518
FAX: 910-692-5875
E-MAIL: SPUMC@NC.RR.COM
Taylor Hickey
Director of Music | taylorhickey@gmail.com
REV. JOHN MICHAEL MCALLISTER
Senior Pastor | jmcallister@nccumc.org
Nanette martin
Administrative Secretary | spumc@nc.rr.com
Nanette Martin was born in East Meadow, NY, but was educated here in Moore County. She has an Associate Degree from Sandhills Community College and enjoys her job as Administrative Secretary at the Southern Pines United Methodist Church.
"Working here is a blessing because I have a chance to utilize my Christian beliefs and practices. Working for SPUMC, a church that is very active in sharing Christ's Peace and Love is a wonderful experience."
alan daubenspeck
Accompanist / Praise Band |daubenspeck.alan@gmail.com
Alan has thirty plus years experience in worship Christ through music; piano, guitar, bass, organ, vocals, choral directing, arranging and composition. He graduated from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He earned his Master of Music/ Media degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
In addition to serving our church, Alan teaches music at Sandhills Theatre Arts Renaissance School in Vass, N.C. He also is a member of the Sandhills Community College Jazz Band, Heart of Carolina Jazz Band, Audio Engineering Society and the Vass Lion’s Club. Alan and his wife, Debra, have two children: Brandon and Bridget.
John Michael is convinced he has the coolest job in the world. He delights in getting to know
people and their stories. A native of Fayetteville, NC, he had plans of working with people with disabilities, but his experience with God altered his career path. He earned a BA in Psychology, an MS in Rehabilitation Psychology & Counseling, and an MSW in Social Work – all from UNC-Chapel Hill. He was trained as a hospital and hospice chaplain and then went to seminary (at Duke) but framed the diploma in Carolina blue.
JM believes the transformational love God offers us is most clearly encountered through
community, as God cares for people through people. As we grow in grace, following the way of Jesus, we are changed from the inside out. Ministry, he believes, ultimately links individual
spiritual formation with loving service that blesses others in real and practical ways. Beyond
ministry, he loves spending time with his wife and daughter, cycling, road trips, photography,
and excellence in pizza.