MEET OUR STAFF
REV. EDDIE HILL - Lead Pastor
Greetings in the name of our Risen Savior! It is my privilege to be part of the dynamic and incredible Saint Luke UMC staff and I wholeheartedly believe God has wonderful things in store for our church family. Since arriving in June 2020, our church's commitment to be in ministry, missions, and outreach has been abundantly clear and I'm certainly happy to be part of the vision. My wife, Nita, and I have raised four sons together and have served God in four other wonderful NC appointments and communities. The ministry team here at Saint Luke desires to walk alongside both our church family and community so, together, we can all truly make a difference in the Kingdom.
REV. CHARLOTTE BRENDEL - Associate Pastor
Born in Oklahoma and raised in a military family, Charlotte moved to Army bases in Texas, Panama, and eventually Ft. Bragg, where her father retired. She received a Bachelor of Music Education from Appalachian State University, taught band in grades 6-9, and performed with the Western Piedmont Symphony for over 30 years (as well the North Carolina and Winston-Salem Symphonies along the way). She was then called into full-time ministry. Rev. Brendel received a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Pfeiffer University, professional Christian Education Certification by the UMC General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and continued theological education at Hood Theological Seminary (Salisbury, NC) for Deacon Studies. Charlotte has served as Associate Pastor with churches in Hickory, Morganton, Chattanooga, Shelby, and Drexel. She was also a Congregational Vitality Strategist on the Western North Carolina Conference staff and served with The Church Legacy Initiative, in addition to serving on numerous conference, district, and community teams. Charlotte is an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for women educators. She and her husband, Leonard, are parents to two grown children and grandparents to two beautiful grandchildren. Charlotte is thrilled to be serving alongside the Saint Luke family and being in ministry in our Sanford community.
REV. JUDY DRYE - Minister of Visitation
Judy was appointed to St. Luke in 1997 and served as the Associate Pastor for five years. Not only was the congregation warm and easy to love, but they garnered my respect through their work and ministry in the Sanford community and throughout the world. When I returned to Sanford in 2013, it was with joy and anticipation that I also returned “home” to St. Luke. That is my testimony to the vitality, faithfulness, and love of the St. Luke congregation. Since September 2014, I have been blessed to serve the congregation once again as Minister of Visitation.
JIM ROGERS - Minister of Youth & Technology
Jim joined the Saint Luke ministry team in 2022 to serve as the Minister of Youth & Technology. A native of South Carolina, Jim is a graduate of The Citadel and Duke Divinity School. He served two appointments in SC before happily returning to North Carolina. He and his wife, Kendall are parents to precious Hadley. Jim's passion for the Lord and working with young people, as well as his technology skills and vision, combine for the perfect fit with our church family.
KATHERINE HOLT - Children and Family Ministries
My journey at St. Luke began in August 2015 working for the After School Care Program. The following year, I joined the St. Luke Preschool staff, where I had the pleasure of teaching in the same classroom I called mine when enrolled in the preschool as a young child. In May 2018, I was blessed with the opportunity to begin serving as the Coordinator of Children and Family Ministries. My position provides me with a wonderful outlet to love, teach, and grow with God’s children and their families. I credit many of my favorite experiences to the inviting and faithful congregation, a committed staff, and gifted lay leadership. God continues to write His vision for these ministries at St. Luke and I am thankful He called me to follow His lead.
LAURA ALVERSON - Office Manager
I began working at St. Luke in August 2001, shortly after my family moved to Sanford from Alabama. As Office Manager, I prepare worship bulletins, newsletters, and promotional flyers, along with lots of general record-keeping and list-keeping. I love working at St. Luke because of its wonderful, warm, and caring members!
PAT ANGEL - Bookkeeper
CURTIS MOORE - Contemporary Worship Leader
I began worshiping with Saint Luke UMC in January 2020 as the Contemporary Worship Leader. Although I live in Archdale, NC and teach high school in Asheboro, NC, it is so wonderful to be so warmly received by the Sanford community here at Saint Luke. I believe that God reveals Himself in and through His people, and I am reminded of that every Sunday morning at church!
RODNEY OLDHAM - Organist/Pianist/Choir Director
Rodney starting filling Saint Luke with joyful strains of music in 2022! A graduate of Campbell University with degrees in accounting and music, he retired from the State of NC Bank Depatment of Banking after 33 years of service. Rodney is a native of Goldston and lives in his grandfather's 1905 Queen Anne home. He's been playing piano and organ at Methodist and Baptist churches since he was 15 years old, and served as Director of Music/Organist at Pittsboro UMC for more than 10 years prior to arriving at Saint Luke. In his spare time, Rodney enjoys cooking and playing tennis.
DANIELLE BAUR - Preschool Director (919-774-6224)
CAROLYN LEE - After School Care Director (919-777-5444)
IRENE SMITH - Receptionist
After serving as a fill-in as needed, Irene officially joined the staff in the spring of 2021 as the Williams Lobby Receptionist for the evening shift. She helps provide a consistent, compliant, safe/secure, and hospitable environment for those who phone or visit the church during the week. She also helps direct both phone calls and guest traffic, as well as assist with other office projects as needed.
REBECCA LITTLE - Receptionist
I was warmly welcomed by the Saint Luke church family when I came on board in January 2019 as the morning Williams Lobby Receptionist. Seeing the young faces come through the doors for school and greeting them for their day is a perk of sitting at this desk. I appreciate the families and the processes that have been put in place to protect all of the body of St. Luke. My background includes an A.S. degree from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale in Visual Communication and my work experience includes corporate communications, data analysis, and support in a political representative's office. I enjoy meeting everyone who enters the Williams Lobby and hearing some of the wonderful stories.