This morning we celebrate the ordination of six new members in full connection of the West Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church during ou
Service of Licensing, Commissioning, and Ordination.
James Burrough, Elder
I am 50 years old. I am married to Jani Burrough. My older brother Kenneth Jr. and I are sons of Kenneth Sr. and Lydia Burrough. I have three children, three stepchildren, eight grandchildren, and one grand-dog.
I graduated from Lewis County High School in 1987. After receiving the call to ministry, I became a lay speaker in 2001 and a licensed local pastor in 2005.
I attended West Virginia Wesleyan College from 2007 to 2011, earning my bachelor’s degree. I attended United Theological Seminary from 2011 to 2015, earning my master’s degree.
A spiritual discipline I have embraced over the past two years is learning to play the guitar and pickin’-n-grinnin’ in our church’s praise band.
I feel blessed to have been called by the Lord to serve as an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. I look forward to working with my sisters and brothers of the faith in fulfilling the mission of making mature disciples of Jesus Christ in order to transform hearts, minds and souls for the glory of God.
Lisa Fox, Elder
Lisa Fox received her call to ministry when she was a member of Sistersville UMC.
She attended lay speaking classes and became a certified lay speaker. On July 1, 2010, after attending licensing school, she was appointed to serve the Lazear’s Chapel and Wick UMC charge. During that appointment Lisa continued to grow as a pastoral minister.
Eventually she attended United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. She was appointed to the Dallas and Sand Hill UMC charge as a seminary student. Lisa graduated from United in 2016 with a Master of Divinity degree.
She continues to serve with the people of Dallas and Sand Hill, two wonderful county churches. Lisa loves the space where she serves and the people she serves with. Together, they strive to make the church the center of Jesus’ grace & love in the community and beyond.
Though ministry is messy, Dallas & Sand Hill UMC are committed to doing life together and becoming the kind of people God is calling them to be.
Lisa and her husband, David, have been married since 2000. Together they have four children, Haley, Josie, Morgan, and David Jr. They also have three grandchildren: Adeline, David, and Ellis.
Mike Loudermilk, Elder
I grew up on a farm in Clintonville, Greenbrier County. Being reared in a Christian home, my parents were a huge influence in my life.
After graduating from Greenbrier East High School in 1987, I attended Fairmont State College for three semesters. Upon returning to the farm I became active in my home church, James Chapel United Methodist.
My call to ministry began in 1991 and I preached my first sermon March of 1993. I was appointed to the Nallen Charge in 1995 where I spent 21 years.
I married Cynthia “Jamie” in 1995. We have two daughters, Leah and Rachel.
While serving in the Nallen charge I received my bachelor’s degree from Bluefield State on Dec. 14, 2009, and my Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary on Dec. 11, 2015. I entered provisional membership in June 2016 and was appointed to Mountain Top Ministries in Franklin on July 1.
My family and I look forward to me serving as an Elder in the West Virginia Annual Conference. As United Methodists we are to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Bonnie Starkey, Elder
On Sept. 10, 1952, Nola and Elza Wilson announced the birth of their second child, Bonnie Kay Wilson. I was preceded by my brother Mickey and followed by my sister Arnetta. I grew up in several areas of Harrison County. My family raised me in a strong Christian home and churches.
I graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School in 1970. In 1971 I married my high school sweetheart, Michael Starkey. We have been married for 18 years and have three children: Michael, Jr.; Christopher; and Rebecca Bolner; and one grandson, Ruben Bolner.
I began my candidacy program in 1994 and became a local pastor. I enrolled at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education. I also attended a course of study at Duke Divinity School during the summer.
I completed the basic course of study and was ready to sign up for my last year of advanced course of study when I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in stage four in 2002.
After many treatments and prayers, I beat the cancer. I then attended the last year of my advanced course of study and became a provisional member in 2016.
In 2016 I suffered a mini-stroke and, in 2018, breast cancer. During this time I continued to minister in the churches and community. I give God the honor and praise that I have been able to continue to follow His call upon my life.
Nathan Weaver, Elder
This is an exciting week! From the age of five, I told my parents I was going to be a pastor one day.
I was deeply formed at Wesleyan by many experiences, but the one that set me on a path to be ordained in the UMC was an internship through the Board of Ordained Ministry at Duff Street UMC under Revs. Brian Seders and Mary Beth Chien. During that summer, I fell in love with Wesleyan understandings of grace, salvation, and the sacraments.
My journey led me to Asbury Seminary where I earned a Master of Divinity degree. During my third year of study, I met and fell in love with my wife, Lauren. Our love story includes outdoor adventures (hiking, kayaking, Ultimate Frisbee, and playing in the mud), supporting each other through difficult times, and enjoying life as best friends. We love doing ministry together, and she will be commissioned as a Deacon this week. I’m so proud of her!
While at Asbury, I was commissioned as a Provisional Elder and served under appointment as the Coordinator of Worship. This job was a blessing and helped equip me for worship planning, leadership, and strategic thinking. I am thankful for my time working with the Dean of Chapel, Rev. Jessica LaGrone.
I am finishing my first year serving as the pastor of the amazing Quiet Dell Charge in Harrison County. This week of celebration is a culmination of much hard work and careful discernment. I am thankful.
Joe Webb, Deacon
I first sensed a call to ministry while chaperoning a youth event for First UMC Williamstown in 2006, when I felt God awakening a passion for helping young people discover an experience of the living Christ.
I have always been interested in exploring the margins of church life, connecting people who have experienced hurt or harm from the church with authentic experiential knowledge of Jesus. The office of Deacon, therefore, is a perfect fit.
I participated in a Walk to Emmaus in 2007, where I received clarity to move me further into more formal channels of ministry. I became a licensed lay speaker for the Little Kanawha District in 2009 and enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2011.
I entered provisional membership in 2016 and served at Sand Hill UMC (Little Kanawha District) from 2016-2018. In 2018 I was appointed to the Conference Communications Staff, where I have served for the past year. The ministry of communications not only fits well the role of a Deacon, but also connects me to my “first career” as a journalist, marketing professional, and graphic designer.
I have a deep affinity not just for Wesleyan theology, but for our United Methodist Connection. I am grateful for all of the colleagues who have become friends over the past several years who continue to support and inspire me to continue to pursue my call as an ordained Deacon.