Clergy Staff

Featured
Pastor Matt Gaston
Pastor Matt Gaston

Lead Pastor
972-423-4506 ext. 109

Matt Gaston is the Lead Pastor entering his sixth year at FUMC. After concentrating in Economics at Harvard University, he managed several small businesses before going to SMU to earn a Masters of Divinity but NOT to be a pastor. God must have found that funny; at SMU Matt discovered his call to ministry and a pastor for a wife, the Rev. Cammy Gaston. They have served around the North Texas Conference, including starting a new church. They have a 27-year-old son named Blaine and a rescue golden retriever (their third) named Shasta. A generalist and an Enneagram 8, Matt enjoys life coaching, reading, regular exercise, home projects, golf, travel and The Voice–all made better with Cammy. He is also a shameless fan of OU football and FUMC Plano and hopes you will be too!

Pastor Judith Reedy
Pastor Judith Reedy

Associate Pastor
972-423-4506 ext. 123

Judith is happy to be serving for the second time at First UMC Plano. While attending Perkins School of Theology, Judith was appointed to FUMC Plano where she met and served with a community of lifetime friends. Together they “christened” the rafters of the church’s current location at a misty Easter sunrise service.This time around, Judith is focusing on pastoral care and making connections. She believes that the church remains the greatest hope for social change we have in the world. When we are in good relationship with God and our neighbors, nothing becomes impossible. Rick and Judith have three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren. They live on a creek in Frisco where wildlife is habitual and welcomed – a spot populated with her grandmother’s trees. As a former English teacher, Judith laments the untold number of mistakes she makes while texting and sending without proofreading.

Dr. Gayle Landis
Dr. Gayle Landis

Minister to Adult Education

Gayle Landis is a retired Elder in the North Texas Conference. She has served several churches as Senior Pastor during her ministry. Gayle and her family have lived in Plano since 1995 when she came to attend seminary. She has come to FUMC Plano to follow one her deepest callings—to help folks grow closer to God. Gayle has three children: Nick, Zack and Megan. Nick is looking forward to getting married in October. He works and lives in Georgetown, Texas making music. Zack is an Ordained Elder in this Conference, is married and has two children. Megan Is married and lives in Louisiana and teaches at the University of Louisiana. In her spare time Gayle loves to read, swim, and spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Music & Worship

Featured
Robin Anderson
Robin Anderson

Director of Worship Arts
972-423-4506 ext. 121

Robin Kaufman Anderson has been a member of FUMC Plano since 2006 when she and her husband Wade moved here from the Kansas City area. With her soprano voice she immediately joined the Chancel Choir and soon was recruited to help with other musical groups. In 2008 she became the Children’s Choir Coordinator and in 2016 the Director of Worship Arts. She directs the Adults, Youth and Orchestra in addition to planning worship each Sunday. Robin holds a Bachelor of Music and Education from Bethel College in N. Newton, Kansas, and a Masters of Vocal Performance from the Conservatory of Music from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. In her spare time Robin enjoys working out, composing music when inspired and going to her teenagers activities. Robin’s girls Sydney and Ella are both active in the music ministry at church as they have thankfully taken after their mama and not their daddy in the musical talent department. 

Mark Lucke
Mark Lucke

Organist
972-423-4506 ext. 107

Ephraim Nitanga
Ephraim Nitanga

A/V Coordinator

A recent graduate from the University of North Texas, Ephraim studied construction engineering, business management and technical communications. He also has a musical background! Prior to coming on board with us, he was an AVL Technician for Lovers Lane UMC and a videographer at FUMC Lewisville.

Program Staff

Featured
Mardi Bowen
Mardi Bowen

Minister with Children and Families
e-mail | 972-423-4506 ext. 112

Mardi Bowen is our Minister with Children, Families and Connecting. She and her husband, Mike have been members since 2009 when Mardi first started her job at FUMC Plano as Minister with Children. Mardi was raised in the Methodist church and is what is known as a PK- Preacher’s Kid. Mardi’s goals and plans did not include going into the ministry! However, those plans changed after attending a seminar entitled “Answer the Call!” Mardi and Mike both graduated from the University of Arkansas. After graduation, Mardi became the Associate Director at the University of Arkansas Wesley Foundation. Following that, Mardi worked for the Presbyterian church in Fayetteville as Director of Children and Youth. Mike’s job and a growing family led Mardi to stay home with her little boys for a few years. After starting the Upward program at FUMC Allen, God led Mardi and her family to FUMC Plano. Mardi loves being outside, helping others, and spending time with her family which includes her three not-so-little boys, Collier, Drew and Aaron.

Connie Calhoun-Amox
Connie Calhoun-Amox

Minister to Senior Adults
972-423-4506

Connie Calhoun-Amox has been the Minister with Older Adults for 6 years, and an FUMC Plano member for more than 50 years. Connie will tell you that her current job is her dream job. Steve Jobs said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Connie loves what she does, and it shows. Organizing interesting, upbeat programs is a joy, however, networking or sitting awhile with an older member on Sunday morning, sharing hugs and stories, are the true gifts of the spirit.

Barbara Edlhund
Barbara Edlhund

Director of Preschool Spark Ministries
972-423-4506 ext. 104

Barbara Edhlund loves working with small children! She has over 40 years of experience in teaching young children. Her career has taken her to Australia, Minnesota and finally Texas. If you need something broken down to the simplest explanation, she can do it! While many look at PreK Spark Sunday School as babysitting, it is so much more for the Spark teachers at FUMC Plano. These teachers plan, prepare, and deliver important lessons for our smallest Christians. There is nothing as exciting as watching a little face when they “get it!”

Sarah Bush Henson
Sarah Bush Henson

Minister with Youth & Families
972-423-4506

Sarah Bush Henson is our Minister with Youth and Families. She grew up in Houston, Texas, and went to Texas A&M to receive a degree in Business Administration and a focus in Marketing and Non-profit Business Management. Sarah is also a 2021 graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a Masters in Theology and Youth Ministry. She met her husband Blake at Texas A&M, and together they like to travel, spend time outdoors, and balance their love of going out to eat with trying new recipes. Her greatest joy is the people she loves – community, friends and family are the most important thing!

Stacy Spears
Stacy Spears

Director of Connections and Missions

Stacy Griffin Spears has attended FUMC Plano since 2005. Her family was first welcomed through the Weekday Program, and after dodging the welcome sign in book for years, officially joined the church in 2013.  Prior to taking on the role as Director of Ministry Administration, she worked in the nonprofit sectors for domestic violence, oil & gas and education. She is Lumberjack at heart (Ax’em!), having graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Communications degree in 1998. Stacy enjoys reading, missions in our community and spending time with her family. Stacy’s children, Avery and Griffin, are both active in youth, and her husband, Jason, is often found assisting  with church activities. 

Jessica White
Jessica White

Weekday Program Director
972-423-4910

Jessica White joined the Weekday Program in January of 2016.  A native Texan, Jessica grew up in Richardson, graduating in the top 4 percent of her class at Richardson High School. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas A & M University Commerce as well as holding an Early Childhood Training Certificate from Eastfield Junior College.  She has enjoyed a career in early childhood education since 2000 in many different roles. Passionate about helping others achieve their best in order to do our best in helping children grow, learn, and love Jesus. Jessica resides in Richardson with her husband Merv, and one of her three children still at home. She is enjoying the grandma life with her grandson Jack attending the Weekday Program with her. Jessica enjoys web design as a hobby, sports, art, and just having fun with her children.  On a nice day, you just might catch her driving her Miata with the convertible top down and a cold Diet Coke. 

Administration

Featured
Nancy Bryan-Ellison
Nancy Bryan-Ellison

Director of Communications
972-423-4506 ext. 108

Nancy Bryan-Ellison is the Director of Communications of FUMC Plano. She has a communications degree with SFA University and has experience in writing, graphic design and digital imaging. She worked with Mason & Moon Advertising, Fossil, and has spent the last 17 years in ministry. She attends church at North Cities UPC in Garland with her husband Hunter, and they live in Allen with their two dogs, Shadow and Squid.

Nina Davis
Nina Davis

Director of Business Administration
972-423-4506 ext. 106

Nina Davis is the Director of Business Administration at FUMC Plano. Nina is from Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting. After college graduation she worked in the financial services industry, but soon found a niche serving in Church Administration primarily in Methodist churches. She and her husband Tim, have two adult children – Lacy and Layne. Lacy is married to Aaron, and they have a son Quinton. Quinton is the first grandchild born in 2020. Nina acknowledges a slight bias but considers “Q” the cutest kid on the planet! Nina enjoys cooking, sewing, and crafting. On her bucket list of travels is a cooking tour of Italy.

Brenda Dean
Brenda Dean

Accounting Assistant

From the moment Brenda Dean walked into the church one Sunday morning several years ago, she knew I had found a new church home. She started out volunteering as a church greeter and at the front office desk. but it was Brenda’s career in office and accounting work that led her to her position as Financial Assistant at FUMC Plano. Brenda said, “Using my skills and my enjoyment working with numbers at such a wonderful location and with great people has been a blessing.”

Julia Dolberry
Julia Dolberry

Membership Database

Julia Dolberry is an Administrative Associate with FUMC Plano.  After graduating from the University of North Texas with a degree in Organizational Behavior, Julia spent several years working in Human Resources for First USA/Bank One and Volvo Finance.  More recently, she has worked a sales position in the credit card industry and served on multiple PTA and Booster Club boards.  Julia has been a member of FUMC Plano since 2004, and co-directed Arts and Music Camp for many years.  She and her husband Les live in Lucas with their three daughters, Katie, Lauren and Caroline.  In her free time, she enjoys walks with their Aussiedoodle, Cooper and cheering for the Lovejoy Leopards and the Oklahoma Sooners!

Doug Gray
Doug Gray

Facilities Manager

As our Facilities Manager Doug Gray oversees our building and grounds. A recent graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University in Business Management, Doug has experience in construction and project management. Doug enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities and also enjoys perfecting his expertise in outdoor grilling and smoking.

Lori Kimbrell
Lori Kimbrell

Accounting Manager
972-423-4506 ext. 122

Lori Kimbrell has been our Accounting Manager for just over 17 years. With a finance degree from the University of Florida and accounting hours from the University of Texas Dallas, this CPA is a valuable asset to the FUMC Plano staff!

Liliana Peña
Liliana Peña

Administrative Assistant
972-423-4506 ext. 100

Liliana Peña is our Administrative Assistant. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, she came to the U.S. at the age of five, and since then, she has proudly embraced Texan culture. Prior to joining the FUMC Plano staff, Liliana served in two administrative support roles and spent eleven years as the ministry coordinator for the Center of Church Development of the North Texas Conference. Liliana is married to the Rev. Dr. David Rangel, Executive Pastor of Custer Road UMC, and together they have two daughters, Emma Olivia and Camila Michelle. She enjoys watching football, indulging in Colombian cuisine, and relaxing on the beach.

Jill Stoel
Jill Stoel

Food Services Manager
972-423-4506

If there is food at your event, Jill Stoel will be there! Cooking was in her blood from the moment she took her first steps in her grandmother’s school cafeteria where she was the manager. Her grandmother is the one that taught her how to cook and sew. Jill was in the Woman’s Army Corps during the Vietnam War. After her two daughters started school in Plano, she became a PISD school Food Service manager for 20 years. Jill has been a member of FUMC Plano for 35 years and active in the Chancel Choir, UMW, Quilts for Kids, coffee and donuts on Sunday mornings, Sunday night dinners, and Older Adult Ministry lunches.