STAFF
MIKE HOLLAND
PASTOR
Pastor Mike Holland of Childersburg FMC has been a pastor for 15 years in the United Methodist Church. He graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Business Management and spent 12 years in the restaurant industry being a General Manager and District Manager. After accepting his call from God to become a pastor he went on to receive a bachelors in Religion from Liberty University and Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary. ​ “My passion is to share the word of God with others and use words only when I need to. I think living out the principals that Jesus taught us is a far better way of reaching people for Christ than shouting to or at them.” He also says that , “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. That is what Jesus did and He did it masterfully. I want to be like that.”​ Not only is he a spiritual coach, but he is an actual coach also. After wrestling at some of the highest levels (national and international) for 15 years, he has a wealth of knowledge in the sport. It is that wealth of knowledge and experience he loves to share with the kids he coaches. “It is a blessing to give back to a sport that shaped and molded me into the man I am today. It is even more of a blessing to be a coach who is a pastor also. I have close relationships with the teams and other coaches and that makes it easier to share the love of Christ with them.” he also goes on to say,”That is why I do it, why I coach. It is important for all believers to use their gifts and talents to better the world around them. One of my talents just happens to be the sport of wrestling. It is important to be active in the world around us and be as good of an example for Jesus as we can. We have to be able to say we are not perfect and that is alright because we are forgiven and loved by a wonderful God.” ​ Pastor Mike is a driving force in helping schools develop new programs in the state and running college level summer training camps for wrestlers in the state. In 2023 he will be a part of starting a new program at Childersburg High School where he is also the Chaplin for the football team. “It gives me a chance to work closely with the kids in the community that I am also a pastor in. God has really opened some doors to make this happen and there is a great opportunity to minister and coach.” ​ “My wife Sara, daughter Reagan, and son Gabriel (Bubba) have all fallen in love with this community and we look forward to being here for a while, God willing.”
(256) 378-6468
JONI LONG
SECRETARY
Joni invited Jesus Christ into her heart to be her Lord and Savior when she was eight years old. She became a member of this church family in 1984. Terry Long is her husband and he grew up attending this church. They've been married for forty-six years; they raised their daughter and son here. Terry and Joni have five grandchildren. Joni became our church secretary when Billie Ann Reagan retired in 1996. April 1, 2023 will mark twenty-seven years in this position. Joni has served as church secretary for nine pastors.
(256) 378-6468
JANICE PAYANT
PANIST
Janice loves her family and has always had a passion for playing piano, even from a young age!
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TISON PEARSON
MEDIA TECH &
PARENTS NIGHT OUT LEADER
Tison is currently a student at Auburn University, studying Accounting. He has worked as the Media Tech at Childersburg First Methodist for over 5 years now. Tison has always had a passion for technology that stemmed from a young age. Tison loves learning new things and enjoys the challenge that updating and adapting technology brings.
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AARON & WHITNEY
MURCHISON
YOUTH LEADER
We are a husband and wife team who have been married for 18 years and are passionate about
investing in the next generation. Together, we are raising our two girls and striving to live out our faith at home and in our community.
Aaron grew up in Sylacauga and graduated from BB Comer High School and Auburn University he
officially joined Childersburg First Methodist Church in 2025. He is employed as a Landscape Manager at Pursell Farms where enjoys being in the outdoors and enjoying God’s creations!
Childersburg FMC is Whitney’s home church as she was baptized and entered into membership in the 5th grade. Whitney graduated from Childersburg High School, Auburn University and received her Master’s in Education from the University of Montevallo. Whitney is employed as a Career Coach for the Talladega County School System.
Our shared heart is to walk alongside youth, encourage them in their faith, and help them grow into who God has called them to be. In addition to being active members and the Youth Leaders at
Childersburg FMC, we are also active in the East Alabama Emmaus Community.
(256) 378-6468