Ministry Staff

Trish Morehead serves as the interim Children’s Ministry Director. She works with the children’s department to plan and facilitate weekly programming and special events. Morehead is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in early childhood education. She is a former kindergarten and preschool teacher. She has a heart for working with children and seeing them grow in their faith community. Trish is a long time resident of Allen. She and her husband, Rod, have been…

2 Ed Whipple, our director of student ministries, serves to guide our students in their journey with Jesus Christ. “I value the role of the church, and I desire to do my part in helping raise generations of believers in Christ.” He has directed numerous youth events, including local and international mission trips,camps, and retreats.  Throughout his career, he’s been involved with the following organizations in support of youth, college, and young adult ministries: Youth Specialties UM ARMY JUMMP Big House…

Susan Hale has been on staff at FUMC Allen since 2010 and has served as the Director of Adult Discipleship since June 2016.  She enjoys helping people grow in their faith by finding the right group to journey with.  She also loves cultivating new leaders for Faith Academy and Sunday school classes. Susan grew up in Virginia Beach, VA.  She earned her bachelor of arts in English from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.  She recently completed her United Methodist…

4Ruth Swingle is our Director of Care and Support and Senior Adults. She coordinates and shares with the pastoral staff any prayer or member concerns expressed.  The Care and Support team involves many volunteers that assist with visits, cards, care and prayer.  She is a trained Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader. A lifelong Methodist and a daughter of a church secretary, Ruth learned at an early age the importance being active in a church.  Ruth and her husband, Dennie, have…

Matt Cobb brings passion, energy, and enthusiasm to his role as Director of Sports and Recreational Ministry. His extensive background in physiology, sports medicine, and exercise science will expand our sports ministry program here at FUMC Allen. He truly sees sports ministry as a way where individuals of all ages can come together to compete, engage, and grow spiritually with one another through the pathway of sports. Matt comes to us from Austin, Texas, via Texas State University in San…

Maureen Bowman serves as the Director of Children’s Creative Playday Preschool.  As Playday director, she is responsible for providing a Christian education for children ages 18 months to 6 years while maintaining Minimum Standards for Child Care for the state of Texas.  Her educational belief is Early Childhood Education is essential for the complete development of the child.  She is passionate about providing a well-rounded education, which includes lots of exploration through play. Maureen loves helping young children learn and…

Jenn Lunt serves as the Nursery Coordinator for FUMC Allen.  Jenn is responsible for providing a safe and inviting nursery environment for our youngest members and visitors.  She wants each child to feel welcome and to know that Jesus loves them and protects them.   Jenn has a Bachelor’s of Science from UC Irvine and is a Certified Pre-K teacher at Children’s Creative Playday.  Her knowledge of science and early childhood education fuels her passion for teaching little ones about the…

Jeff McPherson is serving as the Interim Children’s Ministry Assistant/VBS Director for the summer. He helps program and lead children’s events along with the Children’s Director. Jeff grew up at FUMC Allen and currently studies electrical engineering at the University of North Texas. Last summer, he served as a full-time counselor at Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center. There he discovered a joy for working with and teaching children and youth. Jeff was born in Dallas but has known Allen as…

Dawn and Scott serve as contemporary worship leaders and directors of the Resonate Praise Team. They have enjoyed leading Resonate since 2003, and feel blessed to worship and encounter God each week with the congregation, not to mention serve alongside an amazing team of musicians who love the Lord and one another. The Hortons are long-time members of FUMC – Dawn was raised in our church – and they especially now appreciate the opportunity to raise their own two children,…

Joshua Vigran is the worship organist and pianist for First United Methodist Church of Allen. He comes from a long line of musicians in his family and will continue this legacy as he serves our congregation in both traditional and contemporary worship. Josh has served as worship leader at a number of churches in California, New York, and Texas, and is passionate about creating an atmosphere where people can freely enter into the presence of the Lord. Josh will play…

Susanne Means grew up in Houston, TX, and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin. After moving to Ft. Collins, Colorado, she earned her teaching certificate from Colorado State University. She returned to Texas where she met her husband, Mark. They have been married 18 years and have two sons, Cameron and Matthew. She worked as a special education teacher in Allen for 14 years and now works for the Collin County Tax Assessor in Plano.