Rev. Chris Yost, Pastor
cyost@fumcrockwall.com
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. Chris is serving along side our own Larry Womack organizing the North Texas Conference’s merger with Central Texas and Northwest Texas Conferences to form the Horizon Texas Conference effective January 1, 2025.
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, Associate Pastor/Minister of Life Stages Ministry
childebrand@fumcrockwall.com
Rev. Christina Hildebrand joined our staff in 2006. Our Children’s Ministry has flourished under her service and leadership. Christina will now serve as Minister of Life Stage Ministries: Pastoral Care Coordinator, Confirmation Classes, Support Group Ministries, Senior Adult Ministries and Baptism Coordination. Life Stage Ministries includes specific groups for the special seasons of our lives: Bump to Baby, Empty Nesters, Sandwich Generations, Recovery Groups, Covenant Groups, etc. 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.
Abbey Weaver, Director of Youth Ministries
aweaver@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Michelle Corazao, Director of Music and Arts
mcorazao@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Shirley Womack, Welcoming Ministries
swomack@fumcrockwall.com
Shirley 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. She also works closely with our First Impression Teams. 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.
PROGRAM STAFF
Allison Hicks, Director of Children’s Ministry
ahicks@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Paige Robbins, Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry
probbins@fumcrockwall.com
Paige joined our team in June 2023 and is proud to be born and raised in Rockwall, JFND! She is the loving wife to her husband, Mike and Mama to their son, Zeke. Paige has a Master of Science Degree in Human Relations and Business. She has spent over a decade working with nonprofits to help end poverty one family at a time. After a break as a stay-at-home mom, Paige is back in action to serve others and spread love.
June Overholt, Pianist & Organist
joverholt@fumcrockwall.com
June joined the FUMC Rockwall staff in 1997, and has served churches in Kansas and Texas. She has accompanied groups and soloists throughout the United States. June is married to Bob, has one son, Jason and one granddaughter, Jaden.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Jennifer Potter, Director of Operations
jpotter@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Cheryl Boyanton, Senior Finance Administrator
cboyanton@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Amy Moore, Director of Communications
amoore@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Julie Dahmer, Church Administrative Assistant
jdahmer@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Wedding Coordinator
If you are interested in having a wedding here or have any questions, please contact our Director of Operations, Jennifer Potter, jpotter@fumcrockwall.com
The ARK Preschool
Chris Conway, Director of The Ark Preschool
cconway@fumcrockwall.com
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.
Amy Swiney, Assistant Director of The Ark Preschool
aswiney@fumcrockwall.com
Amy graduated from Baylor University with a business degree, and was the Assistant to the Children’s Minister at FUMC Rockwall prior to joining The Ark staff. In addition, Amy has served in multiple volunteer capacities in this community, since moving to Heath in 1997. Amy is married to Bob and they have twins, Garrett and Hannah.