Jim joined the staff at FUMC Graham October 1, 2011, as part time Associate Pastor with his main duties begin visitation, evangelism and filling in where needed.  He does funerals, weddings and preaching morning, evening and other services as requested.  He serves as Pastor of Tonk valley UMC and Murray UMC.  Jim went into ministry later in life at the age of 54 and served as a Local Pastor until June 10, 2019, when he became an Associate member of the Central Texas Conference.  Jim adds, "I am very fortunate to serve here since FUMC Graham is my home church.  I was born and raised in Graham and joined FUMC Graham in 1961." 

jim@fumcgraham.org

As Director of Programs one area of Sandra's ministry includes the coordination of the Caring Ministries  of the church - The Samaritans and their benevolent fund, Stephen Ministry, the Friendship Meal, Our Daily Bread, requests for wheelchair ramps, local and international mission outreach.  She also coordinates  adult learning opportunities, works with Nurture, Outreach, and Witness Committees and the Lay Servant Ministry program, and is a frequent Bible study teacher.  Sandra is a long-term member of the staff, having served FUMC for over thirty-six years. "Serving this church has truly been a calling for me.  How richly God has blessed my life!" 

sandra@fumcgraham.org

Dana joined our staff in 2000 as the Pastor's Secretary, working part-time solely for the Pastor.  

She loved being home with her three children and available for all their many activities and this job allowed her the opportunity to balance work and her children through their Graham school days and college days.  Four pastors and twenty years later, her children now grown and with five beautiful granddaughters, Dana is still enjoying her now full-time job that has changed greatly over the years.  Dana adds, "I am very blessed with this wonderful job that I love, an awesome work family and a extended church family, with many  friendships that greatly enriched my work and personal life.  I look forward to many more years serving here at FUMC!"

dana@fumcgraham.org

Sarah became a resident of Graham after she married her husband, David, in 1968.  They have two children, a daughter, Stacey, and a son, Jason and four grandsons.  Her favorite hobby is quilting, and she and her husband are avid Ranger baseball fans.  Christmas is a favorite time at their house, and now the Bryan Family presents a Christmas light show for the entire community during the holidays.  She started working at FUMC Graham in 2007 as the Administrative Assistant.  Sarah believes, 'FUMC Graham is The Place to Be.' I Love my job and my church family."

sarah@fumcgraham.org

Dr. Christa Friel is from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and has lived in Texas since 1995.  While living in Fort Worth, Christa received a "chance" phone call in January 2000 to come fill in for a week as pianist for FUMC Graham.  She decided she would make the 100-mile drive and within a month, her

name was written in the church directory.  The rest is history! She has served as Director of Music Ministries since 2010.  Christa stays busy accompanying for schools, writing, and teaching on the side.  She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, riding her scooter, studying genealogy, or being around animals.

christafriel@gmail.com

Beth has lived in Graham since 1999 and shares her life with her husband Corey, three daughters, two dogs and a cat! (They had guinea pigs at one time but don’t talk about that! YIKES!) Beth and her family have been members now for twenty years! She became the Director of Preschool Ministries through volunteering at the church.  Beth notes, "The preacher thought my volunteer hours should count towards a job …. so here I am! God surprises me all the time, and I love that

my job is serving him by teaching the littles!" 

bethanyrgober@gmail.com

Dru has been a member of FUMC Graham over twenty-five years.  Fifteen years ago she began volunteering in Children's Ministries because they offered free childcare.  She explains, "God works in wonderful ways...I discovered my passion and answered my calling! I've been blessed to be the Director of Elementary Children's Ministries for ten years now."

druisom@hotmail.com

Logan and her husband moved to Graham from Fayetteville, AR, in 2001.  Coming from the Southwest Conference she said she would never live in Texas or live in a small town yet here she is! Graham has been a wonderful place to raise two children, Luke and daughter, Kyndall.  When Kyndall went to Kindergarten Logan said she wanted another child and her husband said "get a job with kids," and Suzy Graham hired her at FUMC Preschool.  She taught the three year old class for ten years and has been the director the past two years.  Logan shares, "I love the sweet kiddos I greet every morning and seeing them walk out of school happy makes my day every day."

preschool@fumcgraham.org

Jenny and her family moved to her in-law's ranch in 2018.  She had been in student ministry for twenty years and had to resign due to two different chronic illnesses.  When they moved to the ranch, Jenny thought her call, her passion to work with students was over.  In September 2019, God miraculously healed and restored Jenny's health.  She joined us on staff in September 2020.  God has restored her calling to student ministry as well.  Jenny and her husband, Brian, have two sons that attend GISD schools.  "It isn't often that I've had the opportunity to be a part of a church, fall in love with the people and then come on staff.  I'm excited about what God is doing in the lives of Jr. High and High School students and that I get to be a part of it!"

youthministry@fumcgraham.org

Jerrol was born and raised in Eagle Lake, Texas, where he started playing the piano at age 5. 

An accomplished musician with a Masters in Piano Performance, he has played for churches

and the public since he was twelve years old.  He and his wife, Tammy, moved to Graham in 2009, at exactly the right time when FUMC was looking for an accompanist.  Jerrol shares, "We saw God's hand of leading,  and I became the pianist/organist in 2010.  I believe that God has called

me to play skillfully for Him and His kingdom, and when I do, I feel his pleasure."  Jerrol and

Tammy have three children, Brittany, Connor and Candice, and one grandchild, Mason.

higgins86@earthlink.net

Lynda grew up in Texas and graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin and later with a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Having worked more than 15 years in Europe in ministry and the corporate world, she now lives in the DFW area as a corporate chaplain serving and walking alongside people in the workplace.  A recent passion is the start up of Woolly Prayers, which develops prayer tools to bring focus and intention to our prayers.  She is working locally and internationally with women at risk women and those coming out of human trafficking in the making of Woolly Prayers products.  For more that 15 years she has served part-time at FUMC Graham on weekends growing the media ministry, telling God’s story visually through worship. You can often find her eating a cherry snow cone while making a new friend. Favorite quote:  “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose,” Jim Elliot.

lddyck2002@gmail.com

Phil started his position as Building Superintendent in January, 2018.  His main responsibility is

to maintain the facilities.  Phil moved here from the metroplex and lives in Woodson with is wife, Elaine, and two donkeys.

phil@fumcgraham.org

Edith has been a member of this church for thirty-two years and has been cleaning the church

for about thirteen years.  Over the years she has taught all ages of Sunday school and VBS.  For about twenty-five years she has helped Children's Church. "I thoroughly enjoy teaching children," Edith adds.

cole.edith@gmail.com