The Second Career Pastor

Today, I had the joy of interviewing my good friend, Rev. Ashley Oliver-Thomas. Ashley is currently serving as a Resident Chaplain at VCU in Richmond, VA. Today’s episode comes with a trigger warning for anyone who has had an eating disorder, as Ashley shares her story. I hope you enjoy this episode. #VAUMC #BeUMC

In this interview with my friend Blaine, he shares the incredible story of being shot while in seminary and takes us through his journey, the challenge it was for him, and how we can learn something about forgiveness, love, and community through his words.

In this episode, I have the joy of speaking with my friend, Rev. Lindsey Baynham Freeman. Lindsey is currently serving as the District Superintendent of the Mission Rivers District. Today, we talk about her path into ministry, her role as the Delegation Lead for the Virginia Annual Conference, and what it’s like in the room for the selection of Bishops in the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ), the E...

Rev. Kori Robins is a certified health coach and Director of the Clergy Wellness Institute at Pfeiffer University. She also serves as a Pastor in Chapel Hill, NC and is a member of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. In this interview we cover a number of topics that cover clergy wellness, mental health, clergy wellness cohorts, and much more.

In this episode, I am joined by my friend Rev. Gina Anderson-Cloud. I first met Gina when she and her husband Bert were appointed to St. Matthew’s UMC as Associates under the incomparable, Rev. Ken Jackson (may he rest in Peace). In her first career, Gina used her study of Gerontology and Social Work to engage in a passion for caring for others. She took this passion and followed her path to minis...

One of the true gifts I have experienced in ministry is having great mentors and friends. In this episode, I get the chance to speak with my mentor and close friend, Rev. Denise Honeycutt. Denise is authentic, energetic, empathetic, and empowering. And she is truly a gift for many of us.

Today, I share part of my story as a Second Career Pastor. I came to ministry equipped with a career in sales leadership for 25+ years. I am also sharing details about future podcasts that I will hold with varying topics and connections. I did not include my background as a Basketball Official on the High School and NCAA levels. Perhaps another episode down the road. I hope you enjoy learning a li...

From the fast-paced world of being a Nurse in the Cardiology unit at UVA Hospital to answering a call to ministry, my friend Rev. Julie Nitzsche has quite a story to tell. In this interview, Julie shares her background as a nurse, her call to ministry, and how her previous career allowed her to lean on those experiences in her role as a Pastor today. Currently serving as one of the Pastors at Alde...

In this interview, I have a chance to talk with my good friend and mentor, Rev. Brian Johnson. Brian is currently serving as the Senior Pastor at Williamsburg UMC. Brian also serves as the Dean of Licensing School for the VAUMC (a title he says is over-inflated), and is a great leader for those entering ministry.

In this interview with Cathy Abbott, she shares her background working for Enron and all the things that came with it for her, both positive and negative. We also learn about her path to ministry and her unlikely choice as a District Superintendent at the time.

I had the pleasure of interviewing my former seminary Professor and Dean, Dr. Carla Works. In this time together, we learn about Dean Works’ path to where she is today and how some of those transitions were for her. We also talk about the landscape of Seminary Education and how Second Career Pastors can journey through various paths into ministry.

This interview is with my friend, Rev. Bert Cloud, who is serving as the Pastor at Sterling UMC in Sterling, VA. Before entering ministry, Bert worked as a School Psychologist for a number of years. He and his wife, Rev. Gina Anderson-Cloud entered Candler School of Theology together and started their journeys, and have served together and apart. We talk about his background, journey, and a behind...

I got the chance to interview one of my Seminary Professors, Dr. Phil Wingeier-Rayo who is now the Executive Director, Education at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. In this interview we explore his new book, John Wesley and the Origins of Methodist Missions. We discuss a connection for Second Career Pastors and much more!

In this special episode, I have the opportunity to connect with my good friend and mentor, Jonathan Page, who is the new Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Jonathan shares some of his background, transitioning from a position within the Virginia Annual Conference as the Director of Connectional Ministries of Connection and Innovation. We also talk about the importance of leading f...

Rev. Jessie Colwell has been in ministry for 15 years. She has served at small, mid-sized, and large churches. She is currently in her fifth year as the Director of Clergy Excellence for the Virginia Conference of the UMC. Jessie has authored one book, “Blessed Wrestling,” and co-authored another with Rev. Dr. Teresa Angle-Young, “Creation’s Call,” which came out this year. She is passionate about...

In this special Christmas episode, I am thankful to have time to speak with Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. We talk about her career in law, her path to ministry, and all the stops along the way. I hope you enjoy this conversation I had with Bishop Sue. #VAUMC #2ndCareerPastor

In this interview, we will learn about Teer’s time working as a contractor with the State Department, including visits to Yemen (after the U.S. Embassy attack), Hong Kong, and Tajikistan. We will visit his time in college at WV Wesleyan and his transition to ministry. We will also explore the importance that we both found as an Associate Pastor and his current appointment as the Pastor at Walker C...

Rev. Sean Gundry is currently serving at Verona UMC in Verona, VA. Prior to ministry, Sean worked as a Producer for a Country Music radio station and in Retail in Asset Management. Sean also spent a number of years as a High School Basketball Coach and worked in Youth Ministry. We will explore how his career before ministry helped shape him as the leader he is today. I hope you enjoy this intervie...

Rev. John Rowe currently serves as the Pastor at Marshall UMC in Marshall, VA, in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Prior to ministry, John was a Master Electrician, a title and skillset he still holds today. From an Emmaus weekend to leading a youth group and entering seminary, John’s path is unique from others who have been called to ministry as a second career.

Gayle spent close to 30 years in nursing, with the last 25 years in the Hospice Care field. In this interview, we discuss how her experiences have helped her in ministry. She will share her journey from her nursing career to being a Second Career Pastor. Today, Gayle serves at Cokesbury UNC in Woodbridge, VA.

In this interview, I enjoy spending time with Brian and talking about his background in IT (Information Technology) via an Engineering degree from Virginia Tech. Brian then got involved in the church as a lay member, and it opened more doors into responding to God’s call. We talk about his time at various appointments and the differences and unique challenges he navigated along the way. Today, Bri...

Rev. Bob Michalides currently serves at St. Paul UMC in Woodbridge, VA. Before entering ministry, he was an Occupational Therapist. During his years serving patients and families and growing into a supervisory role, he developed many skills that parallel his time in ministry. In this episode, we will discuss how those skills have allowed him to transition smoothly in many aspects, including Pastor...

Rev. Audrey Smith is a “third-career Pastor.” She spent twenty years as a Clerical Supervisor in the Insurance industry. She then spent fifteen more years in education as a Music Teacher and Choir Director. In this interview, we discuss her time in those careers and how she transitioned from being a manager to being a leader. She answered the call to ministry and was licensed in 2022, and is curre...

Don Jamison has an extensive background in manufacturing and engineering, which includes senior-level and mid-level leadership roles. During his time in ministry, Don has served in a rural setting, a three-point charge, and medium to large-sized churches. Don has also been involved in mentoring countless people to prepare for their Theology work towards Ordination. In this interview, Don highlight...

Rev. Claire Miller is currently appointed as the Pastor at Washington Farm UMC in Alexandria, VA. She is also the Virginia Annual Conference Secretary. Before ministry, Claire spent time as a Human Resources Director and Trainer, a Technical Recruiter, and in Marketing. During my time with Claire, we discussed how the skills she developed in her first career have helped her in her ministry today....