leadership

Chris and Melissa married in 2000 and have served together across the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Chris has served churches in suburban, town, and country settings for 23 years.  His ministry recently includes the New Church start Grace Chapel in North Frisco and Prosper and Chris comes to us from the county seat Wesley UMC in Greenville, TX.  Chris has also served as Trustees Chair of the North Texas Conference for the past 8 years and led through enormous change.  
Prior to ministry Chris served in the US Navy for 6 years.  He graduated from the Naval Nuclear Power Program and served as a nuclear machinist’s mate aboard the submarines USS Finback and USS Ohio.  Fun fact, Chris has lived 423 days beneath the ocean. He holds a BAS from Dallas Baptist University in Christian Ministry and Nuclear Engineering.  He earned his Master of Divinity from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology.
Melissa is the Principal of L.P. Waters in Greenville ISD and serves as the Director of Head Start for Hunt County. Caleb is a Senior and Heidi is a Junior at Greenville High School.

Rev. Christina Hildebrand joined our staff in 2006. Christina serves as our Minister of Life Stage Ministries: Pastoral Care Coordinator, Support Group Ministries, Senior Adult Ministries and Baptism Coordination. Christina will continue as liturgist and preacher in Open Door worship services. Christina is married to Stefan and they have three children Andrew, William and Sarah.

||  Pastoral Staff  || Program Staff

Abbey is a native of Lufkin, is a graduate of Abilene Christian University and Perkins School of Theology at SMU. She has served the Greenland Hills UMC in Dallas and also the First UMC in Nacogdoches. She is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at SMU.

Allison has extensive experience in children’s ministries, missions, programming and faith development. She has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M Commerce. She has received extensive training and certification in children’s ministries. Allison is married to Aaron and they have three children, Addie, Adam, and Alex.

A native of Kaufman, TX, Katie brings a diverse background from her time in Miami, FL, Houston, TX, and Bahrain. An alumna of TCU and UT Health Science Center, Katie has spent the last six years actively engaged in the community. Her contributions span volunteering at FUMC Heath, serving on the Linda Lyon PTO board, substitute teaching for Rockwall ISD, and coaching robotics teams for her boys. Her Family—husband Jason, children Jordan, Kohen, and Jemma and nephew, Alex—is central to her life, fueling her passion for fostering positive environments at home and throughout the community.

Shirley creates and manages various programs, such as Bible Studies, Sunday School classes, small groups, social events and educational workshops. Her goal is to help adults grow in their faith and deepen their understanding of the Christian faith. Shirley is a graduate of Texas A&M and is married to Larry Womack.  They have two sons, Matt and wife, Melissa, Marcus and wife, Alyssa, along with nine grandchildren.

Michelle Corazao joined our staff as Director of Music and Arts in 2021. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with both Choral and Instrumental emphases from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and her Master of Sacred Music from SMU (Perkins School of Theology and Meadows School of the Arts) in Dallas, Texas. Michelle has served United Methodist churches throughout the North Texas Conference, has taught public school music, and has worked with all ages. She enjoys conducting choirs and enlivening worship through congregational singing and participation. Michelle oversees the Music Ministry of the church and is the conductor of the Chancel Choir and the Youth Choir. Michelle and her husband, Marc, share their home with their son, Ian, and their orange tabby cat tiger, Aslan.

Melissa’s bio coming soon

Carla connects our first time guests and continuing guests to their areas of interest in the church as well as shepherding those desiring to join through the membership process at First UMC Rockwall. 

Keith connects our first time guests and continuing guests to their areas of interest in the church as well as shepherding those desiring to join through the membership process at First UMC Rockwall.  

||  Pastoral Staff  || Ministry Staff

Amy Moore joined the staff at First UMC Rockwall in October 2017. She grew up in Richardson and graduated from Texas Christian University in 2002 with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. She is married to Travis Moore and have twins, Emily and Luke. The Moore family have been members to First UMC since December 2017.

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 one daughter Leahia. Jennifer has been a faithful member of First UMC Rockwall since 2006.

Julie joined the staff in April 2024.  She grew up in Colorado, 20 years ago relocated to Texas, she now calls home. Early in her career, she worked in software development administration, but was called into church preschool and ministry in 2007.  She has years of early childhood, ministry leadership training and certifications. She loves people, inspiring others with the truths of the Bible and ministering to the needs of others. She is married to Jesse, has four grown children, and nine grandkids. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, exploring with her grandkids, outdoor activities, hosting, and is a chicken mamma. 

David's bio coming soon

Brad's bio coming soon

Cheryl Boyanton joined our staff as the Financial Administrator, June 2022. She was born and raised in Illinois, and still does not care for Blue Bell ice cream or Dr. Pepper but admits nothing beats a Texas sunset or Tex Mex meal. Cheryl has served in the church financial area for the last 30 years. Cheryl is Married to her husband of 34 years. She has one remarkable daughter, Ashley, and phenomenal son-in-law, Tristian. They are blessed with the best most awesome-ness super, fantastic grandchildren ever, Jordan, Jaylen, Jace, Jeremiah and Aaliyah.

Chris joined the church staff in March 2012. She is a graduated from Boston University with a degree in elementary education, and taught for 9 years at R.Q. Mills Elementary in Dallas. Chris has attended First UMC Rockwall with Neil Conway since 2000. Neil and Chris have two children Seth and Maya.