Dr. Joe Pool, Senior Pastor
Dr. Joe Pool came to FUMC Rockwall as senior pastor in June 2006.  Joe has served several churches in the North Texas Conference. He has lead three successful building programs, increased worship attendance and mission awareness and involvement. He has led Disciple Bible Study groups and enjoys teaching.  He and his wife, Becky, have three children, Candace, Corey, and Amanda.

Rev. Alan Clark, Minister of Music and Fine Arts
Rev. Alan Clark is the Minister of Music and Fine Arts and has been at FUMC Rockwall for eleven years. He is a graduate of  Duke University where he received a B.A. with studies in religion and music. He received his certification in church music from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Alan has served in churches in Terrell, Texas; New Orleans and Monroe, Louisiana; Gallatin, Tennessee; and Tyler, Texas. He has professional experience in drama and TV/video production. Alan is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Patsy, have three boys, Zachary, Will, and Timmy.

Rev. Valarie D. Englert, Associate Pastor
Rev. Valarie Englert has served as associate pastor at FUMC Rockwall since June 2003.  She provides pastoral leadership for the Open Door worship service, small group study programming, and in congregational care.  She was born in Shreveport, LA and earned a B.A., cum laude, from the University of Texas at Dallas and an M.Div., magna cum laude, from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Valarie and her husband, Richard, are the parents of Eva, who is a student at Hendrix College.

Rev. Christina Hildebrand, Minister of Children and Families
Christina serves First UMC as Director of Children & Family Ministries and is a Deacon of the United Methodist Church. Christina and her husband Stefan have three children: Andrew, William and Sarah.

Rev. Frank Rahm, Senior Pastor, FaithBridge Church
Rev. Frank Rahm serves at First UMC, Rockwall as a general associate in the area of Evangelism and with the task of starting a new church.  Frank and his wife Tracy, have two girls: Emily and Caroline.  With a few friends and other pastors, he plays regularly in a band called “Connections,” raising money for the United Methodist Committee on Relief and/or Nothing but Nets.

Rev. Paul Maletic, Minister with Youth
Paul Maletic joined our staff on June 1, 2008. Paul grew up in the First United Methodist Church of Irving where he was active in UMYF and all aspects of his home church. Paul attended Southwestern University, Class of 2004 and also graduated from Perkins School of Theology at SMU in  2008. Paul is commissioned as a probationary deacon in the North Texas Annual Conference.  Paul previously served the Walnut Hill UMC, Dallas. Paul brings excitement and energy to our youth ministry.

Greg Humphries, Director of Finance and Administration
Greg Humphries joined the staff as Director of Finance and Administration in January of 2002. Having graduated from Texas Tech University with a BBA in Marketing, Greg worked twenty-six years in pharmaceutical sales management. During this time he had the opportunity to manage the U. S. sales division of Winthrop Laboratories, a division of Eastman Kodak. His family and he, wife Darlene and daughter Claire, have been members of First UMC of Rockwall since 1992.

Bonnie Klein, Finance Manager
Bonnie joined the staff of First United Methodist Church in 1993 and presently serves as the church’s Finance Manager. Previously she spent 26 years in Small Business Management and Banking. Bonnie and her husband Pat have been married since 1967 and have two married sons and five granddaughters. She enjoys digital photo manipulation and restoration as well as reading, crafting and home remodeling projects.

Amy Swiney, Associate Director, Children and Families Ministry
Amy is on staff part-time, as of September 2007, as our Children & Families Assistant. She grew up in Ohio, California and Arlington, TX. She graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in Public Administration and Management. She and her husband Bob are parents to twins, Hannah and Garrett. Amy is a long-time volunteer in the Children’s Ministries here at FUMC Rockwall. The Swineys have lived in Heath and been members of this church since 1997.


Debbie Sanford, Finance and Office Assistant
Debbie joined the staff of First United Methodist Church in late July 2009 serving as the Church's Office Assistant. She provides support in the areas of Finance and Office Administration. As a former member of Wesley UMC, Greenville, she moved to Rockwall in 2006 and joined First UMC in 2008. She enjoys singing in the Chancel Choir and has been active in WOW ( Women of the Word ). Debbie and her husband Frank enjoy boating and have three married children and six grandchildren.

 

Jennifer Potter, Membership Services
Jennifer Potter joined the staff at First UMC Rockwall as Membership Secretary in March 2008. She grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Johnson and Wales University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.  She has been married to Steven Potter since 2003 and has one daughter Leahia, Jennifer  has been a faithful member of First United Methodist Church since 2006.


Laurie Wilder, Director of "The Ark" Preschool
Laurie Wilder was born in Port Arthur, Texas and even went to church with Janis Joplin's family!! She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood, a B.S. Degree in Voc. Home Economics Education with Kindergarten Certification, a M.S. in Counseling and Guidance with an emphasis on Elementary Education and Play Therapy. She has been a member of FUMC since 1988 and has worked at the Preschool as a teacher, assistant director and director since 1989. Laurie and her husband Bud have three children, Liz , Zach and Leigh.

 

Patrick Conger,  Church Maintenance
Patrick joined the First UMC, Rockwall staff in July 2007 with responsibilities in maintenance ministries. Previously he was a registered nurse for 18 years and system administrator for the 911 system in the City of Dallas Fire Department for 10 years. Pat is a member of First UMC Rockwall and fishing, old movies and saying “yes”. He has two sons, Matthew and Aaron and one grandson, Brendan.

 

Ruth Sears , Membership/Associate
Ruth joined the Church Staff as Membershhip Secretary volunteer in early July, 2009. She and her husband Curtis, and college age children Matt and Emily , have lived in Rockwall for 12 years. She began her career in Kansas City, and retired from AT&T after a 30 year legal career beginning at Southwestern Bell and a judicial clerkship for the Missouri Supreme Court. She is active in Bible Studies, GED tutoring, Vasebreakers Sunday School class and Sailsetters. Ruth enjoys reading, traveling, biking, movies and music.

Megan Patterson, Assistant Youth Minister
Megan joined the FUMC staff as the Assistant Youth Minister in October 2008.  She grew up in Rowlett, Texas and has attended FUMC Rockwall  since she was in the sixth grade.  Megan graduated from the University of North Texas in May 2009 with a degree in sociology, and is currently attending Texas A&M Commerce for graduate school, to obtain a degree in counselor education.  Megan enjoys watching football, camping, scrapbooking, traveling and of course, working with the youth.