OUR STAFF

Pastor Matt grew up in the mountains of North Carolina in Murphy. Following graduating high school, Matt joined the Unites States Marine Corp as a Saxophone Instrumentalist, where he met his lovely wife, Corbin, who served as a Percussionist in the Marine Corps. Matt and Corbin have served and lived on both coasts and in Okinawa, Japan, due to their service. Matt received his BA in Biblical Studies from Regent University and his MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. Together, they have a son, Caedan, and a daughter, Lisa, who keep them on their toes! When not in church, the Thorley family enjoys being outdoors and exploring historical landmarks. 

Matt and his family are excited to be joining the Trinity Methodist Family and look forward to serving the people of Trinity Methodist Church, Elizabethtown, and Bladen County!

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!

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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.

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Laura was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and moved to North Carolina at the age of 6.  Laura became an active member of the Bladen County community in her preteen years, candy stripping at a local nursing home, playing recreational sports, and participating in a mime group through Bethlehem United Methodist Church in White Oak.  She is a graduate of East Carolina University and has a degree in Allied Health Sciences. In 2008, she returned to the classroom and completed the requirements through the NC Teach program and is a licensed Special Education Teacher for Bladen County Schools. She is currently the EC teacher at Clarkton School of Discovery, where she also coaches girl's soccer.  She is married to Evan Hall of Lisbon and they have two boys, Owen & Holt.  Laura enjoys traveling, fishing and boating, spending time with family, and watching her favorite players (her sons) on the ball fields.