Pastor Missy and her family moved to Seaford, Delaware in September of 1999 where they lived until she was appointed to her first church in Dover, DE (Hope UMC). They attended St. John’s UMC for several years where she was a Sunday School teacher, UMW President, a member of the Vision Team, the Worship Team, and the Youth Director. Pastor Missy went through 3 Disciple classes while there and participated in many small group ministry opportunities. It was there that she was introduced to the Walk to Emmaus which made a lasting and life-changing impression on her. It was after that Walk that God began to speak to her heart that He wanted her to be in full-time ministry for Him. God continued to impress on her that she was to let go and let Him guide her towards the next faithful step.
It was at this time that an opening for a youth director at Gethsemane happened along! She applied and the rest is history, spending the next 6 years joyfully serving as the Worship Arts & Youth coordinator. Along with working at Gethsemane full-time, Pastor Missy also attended Wesley Theological Seminary in the MDiv. Program. In 2008, she was called to pastor Hope UMC in Dover, DE, a new church start, while still attending seminary full-time. Graduating in May, 2010, she was commissioned as an Elder in the United Methodist Church and was moved to her next appointment, the Sudlersville charge, in Maryland. Here, Pastor Missy served 3 churches which meant having a lot of meetings as each church had its own committees, etc. Upon becoming ordained in 2013, she was appointed to St. Mark’s UMC in Easton, MD, a large membership congregation. This was a very busy church, with 3 worship services, 2 choirs, a bell choir and praise band, 12 staff members, a pre-school, and a thrift shop. She learned a great deal about leadership and administration, honing those spiritual gifts, while becoming a more effective preacher and teacher. After 5 years as the Senior Pastor at St. Mark’s, she was moved to Salem UMC in Selbyville where she has been since 2018. In the last year God impressed on her heart again that she was to continue her studies in a new area: pastoral counseling. Last January she began the journey towards a MA in Pastoral Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family through Liberty University. Pastor Missy will be graduating this May at the end of her internship.
In addition to serving the local church she has also been involved in the Chesapeake Walk to Emmaus for several years, holding the office of Community Spiritual Director for the past 4 years. She also works for Life Counseling Center in Easton and Seaford. Pastor Missy has been married to Phil for almost 37 years and he is a wonderful support, along with being a great leader in his own right. Their son Philip is married to Erin and they live in Boise, Idaho with their 3 fantastic grand children: Keller (10 in March), Naomee (7 in April) and Jasper (1 in April). Their daughter Claire is married to Brent and they live in Cordova, MD. Some of Pastor Missy’s hobbies are hiking, kayaking, reading, playing the guitar and hanging out with friends and family. Gethsemane has and always will have a special place in her heart and she can’t wait to share all that God has in store for us in the future. To God be the glory!
