Pastor Rachel Kwashe
Pastor Rachel is a Provisional Elder and holds a Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. She holds two Bachelors degrees in Honors Humanities and Biblical Literature with a minor in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University. Though born in North Carolina, she spent most of her childhood and teen years living in Michigan. She comes from a long line of United Methodist pastors and missionaries.
Rachel received her call to pastoral ministry at age 10 and decided to pursue ordination in the North Carolina Conference in 2016. Since then, she has worked in a variety of church and ministry settings spanning from youth ministry in western North Carolina to pastoral care in the Durham County Courthouse and Raleigh prison and as a worship leader at Asbury UMC. She continues to find joy in music, art, and time spent with others.
Rachel lives in Greenville with her husband, Kuda, who is the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Technology at Jarvis Memorial UMC. They have a dog named Chamabelle and a puppy named Groot. Rachel is delighted to be serving Winstead and to be in ministry with such a warm and welcoming congregation.
Marty Johnson, Minister of Children and Youth
Marty joined Winstead in 2013. He has a Masters of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY.
After giving his life to Christ when he was 9 at a revival in Greensboro, NC, he attended high school and college in Oklahoma. He has lived in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Virginia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Favorite things include the University of Alabama (Roll, Tide!), Chariots of Fire, the beach, the mountains, any activity that includes youth, and having fun. It’s been said he never really grew up – which he takes as a compliment!
Marty has one son. Want to know more – he would love to get to know you. Invite him to dinner (he’ll pay!).
Gretchen Hunt, Office Administrator
winsteadumc@gmail.com
Gretchen began as Church Office Administrator in October 2018.
Gretchen is a lifelong member of Mt. Zion UMC in Elm City. She has served Mt. Zion as pianist, served on numerous committees, and as volunteer secretary.
She has worked as a public school music educator for over 20 years, and recently felt called to serve as a church professional, while teaching as an adjunct at NC Wesleyan College.
Gretchen, her husband Robin, and their daughter Lydia live in Elm City. Her son, Owen is a student at NC State.. Stop by the church office to say hello!
Sandy Pittman, Minister of Music
music@winsteadumc.org
Sandy Pittman joined our staff in the fall of 2011 as the Director of Music Ministry. Sandy directs our choir and coordinates all the various music ministries of the Church including the children’s choir ministry. Her love for music began at four when she sang in her grandparents’ small church choir. From then on, music has been an integral part of her life. Sandy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College). Feeling a strong call into ministry, she continued her education at South Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary where she received her Masters of Arts in Church Music with a concentration in organ, worship leadership, and children’s ministry. Sandy began her work as a Minister of Music in 1980 and continued to do so in various capacities serving various churches in the Wilson County area. She is employed full time at Wilson Community College where she teaches Music and Religion, directs the Wilson Community Chorus and advises College Transfer Students.
Sandy and husband Chris reside in Wilson County and have three grown sons ~ Ryan, Blaine, and Tyler. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, reading, and playing the piano.
My desire for music in worship is to provide all who participate to grow closer to the very throne of God through music ~ Sandy Pittman
Sandy Lamm, Lay Leader
I started attending Winstead in 2002 after marrying long time member Denise. I grew up in a Baptist church and was baptized at the age of 12 while attending vacation bible school.
I am a graduate of East Carolina University with a BSBA in Management.
I have five children and nine grandchildren. I retired from Firestone in 2018 after 31 years.
I look forward to continue our walk in Christ as your Lay Leader.
Joyce Wolfe, Handbell Director
Joyce Wolfe has been involved in church music since childhood. Formerly a church organist, she started directing handbells in 1972 in West Virginia and has been the handbell director at Winstead UMC since 1992. In addition to her handbell duties, Joyce is also the accompanist for the Winstead Quartet and has been the director of the Hope Singers since 1995. As a former math teacher, business owner, customer service manager, hospice volunteer coordinator, and public relations/marketing coordinator, Joyce brings a broad base of skills gained through a lifetime of helping others to the music ministry at Winstead UMC.
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