OUR STAFF

Pastor Chris O’Briant is thankful for the opportunity to serve at Trinity Methodist Church.  Chris is originally from Elizabethtown and, for a season during his younger years, was part of Trinity’s youth program. Returning to Trinity now, years later and as pastor, feels less like arriving somewhere new and more like coming home.
 

Chris has been in pastoral ministry since 2007 and brings with him a deep love for the local church, a passion for preaching and teaching Scripture, and a heart for caring for people through every season of life. He is the son of Bob and Anne O’Briant and is grateful for the faith, values, and sense of calling they helped nurture in him.

Chris and his wife, Crystal, have built their life and ministry together and are thankful for the family God has given them. They have two sons—Will, and Preston, who is married to his wife Camille—and they are proud grandparents to their grandson, Luke, who brings constant joy and perspective to their lives.
 

Chris believes deeply in the church—not as a building, but as people called to love God, love one another, and to live out their faith in everyday life. His vision for Trinity is to be a church that is rooted in Scripture, honest about life, generous with grace, and open to where God is leading next.
 

He believes outreach and mission are not side ministries of the church but part of its very heartbeat. Chris hopes Trinity will continue to be a church that looks outward as well as inward—serving neighbors, caring for those in need, building relationships in the community, and sharing the love of Christ in practical and meaningful ways. Whether through acts of compassion, local partnerships, or simple faithfulness in daily life, he desires Trinity to be known as a church that shows up.
 

Chris looks forward to walking with Trinity into the future—growing in faith together, serving with purpose, and trusting that God is still at work, still calling, and still shaping this church to be a light in the community and beyond.

Trinity Methodist Church is so happy to welcome member Sharon Parish as our newest Administrative Assistant. Sharon, along with Melanie Wohlford and Jackie Goodnight, graciously filled in over the last two months as a volunteer administrative assistant. We are so happy to welcome her fully into this role. Sharon, began this role on a permanent basis in May. Be sure to stop by and welcome her into her new role!

I

Brenda was born in Winston-Salem, NC and lived in Colfax, NC where she attended Shady Grove Wesleyan Church from birth until she married. After graduating from Northwest Senior High School near Greensboro, NC, she attended Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University), graduating Valedictorian with a double major in Early Childhood Education and Christian Education. After teaching 2nd grade using ABEKA curriculum at Wescare Day School in Troy, NC, Brenda attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, graduating with a Masters of Religion in Christian Education and Church Music. 

Brenda met her minister husband, Sheldon, while both were attending seminary and have been married 40 years. Together, they ministered in 3 different United Methodist Churches for 33 years, the last for 22 years at Hollywood UMC, Hollywood, MD. There, Brenda was accompanist for the 8:30 am "Gospel" Choir for 18+ years and sang in the 11:00 Sanctuary Choir for 22 years, and was substitute accompanist for that choir. She also taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Lexington Park Christian School, now King's Academy, in Lexington Park, MD.

Brenda and Sheldon moved to White Lake, NC in June of 2016 when Sheldon went on disability due to Parkinson's Disease. Brenda almost immediately became active at Trinity UMC, joining the choir in early 2017.

Brenda and Sheldon have a son and a daughter and 3 grandchildren. Brenda loves spending time with them, playing piano, reading, and participating in as many church activities as possible.

Nelson was born in Salisbury, NC. He grew up 5 miles south of Salisbury and calls China Grove his home town. He was boy number 4 of 5 children.  He graduated from South Rowan High School and attended NC State. He became a marine in May of 1969. The marines taught him electronics and he is a trained avionics technician. He holds an FCC Radiotelephone license with radar endorsement.  He exited active-duty marines in 1976 as a Staff Sargent with one child and a wife. He came to Elizabethtown in 1979 to work as a technician for the highway patrol. In 1990 he married the love of his life, Jackie. He has one stepdaughter and two daughters.  He was baptized in Faith Baptist Church, Faith, NC and came to Trinity Church while Fred Davis was pastor.  Nelson has served Trinity as a sound technician for decades. When he started, the tower chimes were eight tracks! 

Although he love the hills, red clay and granite of his youth, he has been in the sand and flatland most of his life. This is home.

​

I