dr. bryan fink
Pastor
I am the luckiest and most blessed guy in the world. I have an incredible God, a wonderful wife and spectacular family. I grew up in Colorado where I developed a love for hiking, camping, and fishing. I have been on 7 pilgrimages to the Holy Land. And every time I go Christ meets me like he met Cleopas and another disciple walking the Emmaus Road in Luke 24. I enjoy reading, drinking coffee, and conversing with people. Some of my favorite movies are The Blues Brothers, Caddy Shack and Christmas Vacation, Cool Runnings, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang! Wild Hogs and Cars.
I have served as pastor of FMC for 4 years and completed 33 years of ministry as of June 30, 2022. And I just love it here. This is a great church in a great community, and I hope you’ll get the joy of being part of both.
Jesus transformed my life in a radical way. Grateful for what he had done in and for me I yielded to his call to serve him. When I asked the Lord what he wanted me to do for him with my life I heard, “Tell others about me and promote vital Christianity.” So, I have given my life to help others experience new life in Christ and to pursue a life of intentional discipleship.
I am married to the love of my life, Lucretia. We have four adult children, Elizabeth, BJ, Teddy, and Alex.
One of the most meaningful scripture passages for me at this time in my life is Ezekiel 36.26-27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” I pray this prayer for myself and others as well.
I can’t wait to meet you!
I have served as pastor of FMC for 4 years and completed 33 years of ministry as of June 30, 2022. And I just love it here. This is a great church in a great community, and I hope you’ll get the joy of being part of both.
Jesus transformed my life in a radical way. Grateful for what he had done in and for me I yielded to his call to serve him. When I asked the Lord what he wanted me to do for him with my life I heard, “Tell others about me and promote vital Christianity.” So, I have given my life to help others experience new life in Christ and to pursue a life of intentional discipleship.
I am married to the love of my life, Lucretia. We have four adult children, Elizabeth, BJ, Teddy, and Alex.
One of the most meaningful scripture passages for me at this time in my life is Ezekiel 36.26-27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” I pray this prayer for myself and others as well.
- Fort Lupton High School, Fort Lupton, Colorado
- Bachelor of Arts, Greenville College, Greenville, IL
- Master of Divinity, St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO
- Doctor of Ministry, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY
I can’t wait to meet you!
Nila Leder
Administrative Services
Nila is a graduate of Stuttgart High School. She began her professional career at Farmers & Merchants Bank in August 1981 and worked there till February 2024. She served as a security analyst and was also a software engineer for the bank. Nila brings a wealth of experience to our church, and we are delighted to have her as part of our church family.
Nila is very involved with her grandchildren, volunteers for their school activities, loves her church, and has a beautiful cat named "Mr. Cuddles" and a Yorkie named "Minnie".
Nila is very involved with her grandchildren, volunteers for their school activities, loves her church, and has a beautiful cat named "Mr. Cuddles" and a Yorkie named "Minnie".
amy youngblood
Director of Worship Ministries
I am so grateful to say that I have been in ministry at Stuttgart FMC for 32 years. FMC has become my home and my family and I can’t imagine my life without this church. It has been so fun to watch kids come through the children and youth music ministries all these years and then return and serve in choirs as adults and bring their own children serving in music ministry.
I grew up in Waynesboro, MS and have been a lifelong United Methodist which makes up my DNA having descended from a long line of Methodists. Growing up my family attended a small church outside of Waynesboro, Wayne Haven UMC, where I began playing the piano for worship at the age of 13. The one thing that has influenced me and guided me all my life came from my mother. When I was a typical teenager complaining that I wanted to go to my friend’s church – which meant I wouldn’t be playing for my church - my mother, in her wisdom, told me, “But, your church needs YOU.” Those few words have propelled me and undergirded me, even to today, to serve where I am “put by God” and to use my gifts for the glory of Jesus Christ.
My greatest earthly treasure is my son, Garrett Law. Garrett holds a Bachelor and Master of Horn Performance and plays professionally in the Omaha Symphony and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.
In my spare time, I enjoy watching period dramas (especially if it’s British) and any drama or documentary about history (especially about WWII) with my two cats, Dudley and Gracie, napping in my lap.
My favorite verses are simple: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10); “Sing to the Lord a new song.” (Psalm 96:1); “…(God’s) mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23). These 3 verses give me the simple assurance of grace and God’s faithfulness every day. They remind me (1) I need to be still and listen to the Holy Spirit to know who God is and who God wants me to be and (2) God’s mercy, love and forgiveness gives me a chance to begin each day with a fresh new song.
Come join us for worship and check out all our Music Ministry opportunities for all ages!
Waynesboro Central High School, Waynesboro, MS
Bachelor of Music; Minor in Church Music, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS
Master of Church Music, Scarritt Graduate School, Nashville, TN
Amy Youngblood, Director of Music Ministries
(870) 830-6466 – cell
(870) 673-1131 - office
(870) 659-2586 - direct office line
I grew up in Waynesboro, MS and have been a lifelong United Methodist which makes up my DNA having descended from a long line of Methodists. Growing up my family attended a small church outside of Waynesboro, Wayne Haven UMC, where I began playing the piano for worship at the age of 13. The one thing that has influenced me and guided me all my life came from my mother. When I was a typical teenager complaining that I wanted to go to my friend’s church – which meant I wouldn’t be playing for my church - my mother, in her wisdom, told me, “But, your church needs YOU.” Those few words have propelled me and undergirded me, even to today, to serve where I am “put by God” and to use my gifts for the glory of Jesus Christ.
My greatest earthly treasure is my son, Garrett Law. Garrett holds a Bachelor and Master of Horn Performance and plays professionally in the Omaha Symphony and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.
In my spare time, I enjoy watching period dramas (especially if it’s British) and any drama or documentary about history (especially about WWII) with my two cats, Dudley and Gracie, napping in my lap.
My favorite verses are simple: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10); “Sing to the Lord a new song.” (Psalm 96:1); “…(God’s) mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23). These 3 verses give me the simple assurance of grace and God’s faithfulness every day. They remind me (1) I need to be still and listen to the Holy Spirit to know who God is and who God wants me to be and (2) God’s mercy, love and forgiveness gives me a chance to begin each day with a fresh new song.
Come join us for worship and check out all our Music Ministry opportunities for all ages!
Waynesboro Central High School, Waynesboro, MS
Bachelor of Music; Minor in Church Music, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS
Master of Church Music, Scarritt Graduate School, Nashville, TN
Amy Youngblood, Director of Music Ministries
(870) 830-6466 – cell
(870) 673-1131 - office
(870) 659-2586 - direct office line
Jennifer White
Student Discipleship Director
Jennifer “Pooh” White is a lifelong resident of Stuttgart, Arkansas, and has been connected with First Methodist Church since birth. After high school, she moved to Arkadelphia and attended Ouachita Baptist University, graduating in 2011 with a degree in Christian studies with an emphasis in youth ministries, crisis counseling and a minor in psychology.
White started her career as an intern at her home church, which led to her taking on the leadership of the youth program. For the past decade, she has been the director of youth ministries at First Methodist Church of Stuttgart, and studies from other community churches of all denominations. To deepen her expertise, she has attended Perkins School of Youth Ministry and taken seminary courses.
Through the past 12 years, she has helped grow the Stuttgart youth program from three members to over 100, giving her time to mentor young people and volunteer in her community and making a difference in countless lives.
(870) 673-1131 - Office
(870) 659-2582 - Direct Office Line
White started her career as an intern at her home church, which led to her taking on the leadership of the youth program. For the past decade, she has been the director of youth ministries at First Methodist Church of Stuttgart, and studies from other community churches of all denominations. To deepen her expertise, she has attended Perkins School of Youth Ministry and taken seminary courses.
Through the past 12 years, she has helped grow the Stuttgart youth program from three members to over 100, giving her time to mentor young people and volunteer in her community and making a difference in countless lives.
(870) 673-1131 - Office
(870) 659-2582 - Direct Office Line