Staff & Email
Christ United Methodist Church of High Point, NC
CHURCH STAFF and EMail Addresses
Rev Matthew S. Farabow, Senior Minister
Rev. Matthew S. Farabow is a native of Thomasville, a graduate of Westchester Country Day (1986), Guilford College (B.S., 1990), and Duke University (M.Div., 1996). He is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University. His project emphasis is Congregational Growth and Development Through Missional Outreach.
Matt began his ministry here in July, 2010. His previous appointments were: Pastor, Shiloh UMC, Lexington, 2004-2010; Baltimore UMC in East Bend, 2001-2004; and Associate Pastor at Centenary UMC in Winston-Salem, 1996-2001. In addition his field education placements were at Cold Springs UMC in Concord, Dana-Upward UMC's/Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville, NC, and Murphy Circuit One in Murphy, NC. He also served on the staff of the Congregation at Duke Chapel on the campus of Duke University for two years.
He is married to Amanda, and they have four children, Sydney, Jordan, Kenton, and JT. For fun, Matt enjoys exercise, soccer, fly fishing, the beach and reading.
Rev Jeffrey Martin, Minister to Older Adults
Rev. Jeffrey Martin is a native of Nebraska. Jeff has a B.S. from Western Illinois University, a Master of Arts from the University of Nebraska, and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He is in the ordination process for Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Prior to serving at Christ UMC, Jeff was the pastor at Level Cross and Ebenezer United Methodist Churches. Jeff and his wife Caren have three wonderful sons, Andrew, Ben, and Sam.
Jeff enjoys hiking and camping in addition to a number of other outdoor activities. He joined the CUMC Staff in the Fall of 2010.
Kim Collins, Director of Youth and Children's Ministries
Kim is a native of Reidsville and holds a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Sociology from Guilford College. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary as well as pursuing ordination as a Deacon within the UMC. Prior to joining the staff at Christ UMC she was the Children’s and Youth Coordinator at Main Street UMC in Reidsville, Kim worked in the insurance, industrial psychology, and business industries. However, she has always held a passion for working with and ministering with children and youth. She is married to Steven Collins and they have four children, Lindsay, Will, Justin and Lane
The SPRC of Christ UMC is delighted to have Kim come in August of 2011 to join our wonderful staff in ministry and looks forward to dynamic and creative ministries to our children, youth, and their families.
Dr. Marc Foster, Director of Music Ministires
DR. Marc Ashley Foster is the Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities at HPU. Dr. Foster has taught at the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, Texas and Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi and comes to High Point after serving as the Director of Worship Arts Ministries at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi and as the Artistic Director of the Mississippi Chorus.
Dr. Foster received a Doctor of Music Arts degree (DMA) in Choral Conducting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Sacred Music degree (MSM) from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree (BM Ed) in Choral Conducting and Voice from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Dr. Foster has served as the Music in Worship Chair for the Mississippi chapter of the American Choral Directors Association for two years. His choirs have appeared at such venues as the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of South Georgia, the dedication service for the Mississippi United Methodist Bishop, Hope Morgan Ward, and the Annual Conferences of the Mississippi United Methodist Church in June of 2006 and June, 2008. His choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY, at York Minster Cathedral in York, England, and most recently toured throughout Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria. His youth choirs have toured extensively throughout the United States.
Dr. Foster is the proud father of two very active young boys, Michael and Pearson, and is married to Rev. Michelle Foster, an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church and a member of the Western North Carolina Conference, serving as Associate Pastor at Covenant Church United Methodist in High Point.
Peggy Shepherd, Organist/Accompanist
pshepherd@northstate.net
I was raised in the High Point area, graduated from High Point Central, and received my degree in English from High Point University. I taught senior English for 30 years and retired from that position in 1999.
Before joining Christ United Methodist, I served as organist/pianist/chancel choir director at Oakdale Methodist and organist at Vickery Chapel. Earlier, I served as organist at First Baptist Church in Jamestown. I have served as musician for some 40 years.
I studied piano and organ for 12 years and flute for 4 years. In addition to accompanying the chancel choir, I also direct the Christ Ambassadors, (an all male singing group) and the Joyful Sounds(a rhythm band) and work with the College Street Jazz Band.
I am married to Buster Shepherd and we have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. I love music and enjoy a wide variety of music styles including gospel, contemporary, and traditional. I believe music is a most powerful instrument of the Holy Spirit and helps to comfort us in times of need and inspires many to reach for higher means of service.
Carol Briley, Director of Through the Week Ministies
cmaxbri5@northstate.net
Carol Briley has been an active member of Christ United Methodist Church for over 30 years. She has been involved with many of the ministries of the church through the years including Children’s Council, Higher Education, leading Christ Care Groups and Disciple Bible Study and teaching Sunday School to children and adults. She has enjoyed participating in many mission projects including Appalachian Service Project, Operation Christmas Child and Open Door Shelter.
Carol retired from Guilford County Schools in 2009 after teaching Young Fives, Kindergarten and First Grade for 31 years. Her teaching degree from Western Carolina University is in Early Childhood Education. Presently, she is serving as Director of Through- the -Week -Ministries and Preschool Director. It brings her great joy to be able to share the Good News of Christ with the preschool children and to watch them grow and blossom in His love and grace. She believes that each child is God’s unique masterpiece and that they were “created to do the good things He has planned for us”, as stated in Ephesians 2:10.
Carol is married to Rick and they have been blessed with two wonderful grown sons and a lovely daughter in law. In her spare time Carol enjoys Bible study, walking, photography, writing poetry and stories, traveling to the beach and mountains and spending time with friends and family
Carolyn Wright, Administrative Assistant
cnwright@northstate.net
Carolyn has been the Administrative Assistant at Christ UMC for over eleven years. She is married to James Wright (for 36 years) and they have 3 wonderful chidlren: Cheree, Jennifer and Anna and 6 grandchildren: Aalyiah, Lamar, Shamon, Jeremiah, Demoria, Tateanna. Carolyn manages the front office of the church, publishes newsletters and bulletin, and many other responsibilities at Christ UMC.
Katrina Parnell, Financial Secretary
katrinaparnell@northstate.net
Job Description: Financial Secretary. Church & school business administration including contributions, accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll.
Personal Info: Mother of three grown children and grandmother of one. Graduate of Elon University with BA in Social Work. Experienced substance abuse counselor, non-profit manager and professional researcher. Ordained IFOC Senior Chaplain. Currently completing a second BA in Biblical Studies and national certification in Church Business Administration. Ministry area: statewide prayer networks.
James Wright, Facilities Manager
James has been the Manager of Facilities and Grounds at Christ United Methodist in High Point for over 6 years. He manages the facilities, works on upkeep, and maintains the grounds for the church. James has been married to his lovely wife, Carolyn, for 36 years and they have 3 children, and 6 grandchildren.
