Dr. Mark Curtis
Mark was five years old when he first experienced the movie Star Wars. The saga has been an integral aspect of his life ever since. Growing up he moved around quite a bit, following his dad who worked for Lowe’s Hardware: Boone, Asheboro, Seagrove, Greensboro, Troy, Norwood, Mt. Airy, and Seagrove again. His first day of high school at Southwestern Randolph High School he did not know a soul. In high school he learned it is okay to be inquisitive, fell in love with literature, and found a niche in drama. He applied to North Carolina State University with hopes of being an Architect. He graduated in 1995 with a degree in Religious Studies. He learned taking a leap of faith involves risk without certainty of the outcome, found a love of the Hebrew language, and the blessing of second and third chances. He entered Duke Divinity School anticipating pursuing a PhD and teaching at the college level. He graduated in 1998 pursuing ordained ministry in the Western North Carolina Conference. He has served a variety of appointments: High Point, Concord, Gastonia, Charlotte, Monroe, Weddington, Southern Union County, and now Pineville. He has learned lessons in each appointment, many the hard way. He continues to learn that God’s grace is sufficient, even for him. In May of 2021, he fulfilled the lifelong dream of pursuing a doctoral degree graduating from Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a Doctor in Ministry in Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation.
Mark has four amazing children. His daughter, EC, a graduate of Charlotte Latin ’20, is a Theatre Major at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington concentrating in Performance and Tech, James is a graduate of Central Academy of Technology and Arts ’21 in Monroe, JT is taking classes at CPCC, and William is also at Charlotte Latin
Mark is recently divorced and finds himself in a new and unexpected season of life.
Mark is adored and greeted every time he walks in the room by his Airedoodle, Cokie, (namesake the late Cokie Roberts, Journalist and Political Commentator). She keeps him on his toes, and highjacks his social media accounts when she can.
Jessica Edwards
Associate Pastor
Jessica is a dreamer, a wisher, a cryer,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer (Shel Silverstein)
A storyteller, who will stop and listen to tales
A singer, a dancer, a hiker of trails
A mother, a shepherd, a loving wife
A student, a questioner, a lover of life
A hugger, a cheerleader, one saved by grace
Patiently waiting to see Jesus face to face
Kelly Chiseck is a life-long member of Pineville UMC and is currently serving as the Director of Family and Children’s Ministry. Kelly is the person who puts together magnificent family and community events and comes up with the most creative ideas constantly! We are looking forward to what she has up her sleeve this year with VBS.
Kelly Chiseck, Children and Family Ministries Director
Meriwether Minnix graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts in 2021 and came to this job through Martin Dickey. Meriwether knows and runs all things technical involving sound and AV and creates our livestream every Sunday so people can view from home.
Meriwether Minnix
AV/Technology
Marissa Ruland has been part of the PUMC family in some way or another for the last ten-ish years. She has always worked with youth/children in a variety of different ways, including helping with the youth ministry, the children’s ministry, and the Upward Sports League. She comes from a teaching background where she taught math to all ages but mainly middle and high school students. Marissa has two daughters (ages 14 and 18) and comes to us with a master’s degree in Training and Development from NC State.
Marissa Ruland
Youth Ministry
Sarah Willis is the sunshine and laughter in our office. She knows everything about the inner workings of all facets of the church ministry and is a delight to glean information from. She will bend over backwards to help you with anything you need at any time and is a huge asset to every person on staff as a supportive guide.
Sarah Willis
Office Administrator
Nancy Focht
Director of Worship Ministries
Nancy graduated from Wingate College with a degree in Music Business and worked in the music industry for several years before being able to enter into her calling of music ministry. She has served in several churches in the Charlotte area in the capacity of Worship Arts Director, Worship Leader and Music Minister. She is passionate about sharing the gospel through music - music of all types! Her passion for music and worship led her to Wesley Seminary in 2019 where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Worship Arts. She is a part of the Central Carolinas Emmaus Community where she has led music on many occasions. She is also involved with Epiphany Ministries of NC and serves as its state board president. She and her husband, Jim, have a grown son, Jared, who lives in Ft. Mill. Nancy and Jim share their Charlotte home with their dog, Daisy, and cats, Rosie and LIly. Nancy feels so very blessed to be a part of the PUMC family!
Diane Carrouth
Communications Director, Choir Accompanist
Diane Carrouth graduated from Grace Bible College with a degree in Human Services and Music and worked in Social Work early in her career. As a lifelong musician and choir accompanist, she also was called into church ministry from an early age. Diane has used her abilities to be a church Music Director at a variety of churches around Charlotte, an Administrative Assistant, a teacher of Music and Arts at a Christian School and also a private music instructor with 50 students a week at one point! Currently she is enjoying using her technological skills and creativity to be the Communications Director as well as the accompanist at Pineville United Methodist Church. As the Communications Director, Diane is responsible for the weekly bulletin, the monthly newsletter, creating and maintaining the website and all things social media. Diane is very thankful that her paths crossed with the Edwards family and she was able to find this wonderful congregation of people.