Robbie Jones, Organist Joined Belmont UMC staff in 1990 Academic background Mississippi College, B.A., English with concentration in organ Family life Married Harold in 1963 Nashville resident since 1980; retired from the General Board of Discipleship Two children: Angela H. Jones and Pattie H. Jones

Paul Purdue, Senior Pastor Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2017 Academic background Asbury Theological Seminary, M. Div. University of Kentucky, B.A., Psychology Family life “Married Connie Jo Starnes in 1988. She is a physical therapist and makes me a better person.” “Our family has camped our way across all the lower 48 states culminating in hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.” …

Mark Hagewood, Business Administrator Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2015 Responsible for the business operations of the church and weekday school, including financial management, personnel administration, properties oversight, technological support, supervision of administrative staff, and collaborating with clergy and lay leadership on issues of strategic planning Academic background Belmont University, M.A., Church Music Martin Methodist College, B.A., Church Vocations Family …

Kate Fields, Pastor of Children’s Ministry and Discipleship Nashville native Kate joined Belmont UMC staff in 2019 Academic background Memphis Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry Vanderbilt Divinity School, M. Div. Austin Peay State University, M.S., Biology Cumberland University, B.S., Biology Ordained within the American Baptist Churches USA; locally ordained by Glendale Baptist Church, Nashville Interests and activities Johnny Cash, Dolly …

Heather Harriss, Pastor of Spiritual Care and Connection Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2007 Heather is the staff liaison for Congregational Care, Older Adults (Encore Ministry) United Women in Faith, Outreach, Welcoming Team, Worship and Altar Guild, Faith Companions, Sacred Path Ministry (Contemplative Practices, Spiritual Direction, Dreamwork and Retreats), Connect Retreats and Small Groups Academic background Certification for Spiritual Direction …

Darren Wright, Pastor of Youth and Young Adults Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2015 Academic background Vanderbilt Divinity School, M. Div. University of Missouri, Columbia, M.A., Religious Studies Kentucky Wesleyan College, B.A. Family life “Married Leticia in 2009. She is awesome. Like Jesus, she has radically changed my life for the better.” Two children, 3 and 5 Interests and activities …

Emily Bowland, Bookkeeper Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2020 Academic background University of Southern California, M.M. in Clarinet Performance University of Cincinnati College, Conservatory of Music, B.M. in Clarinet Performance Family life Married Jimmy at Belmont; “We have backpacked and climbed Half-Dome in Yosemite National Park.” “Two kids, a cat, and a new puppy” Interests and activities “Our family loves …

Matthew Webb, Director of Music Ministries Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2024 Matthew grew up in Western North Carolina and has served Baptist, Episcopal, United Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations. He comes to us from the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, New Jersey, where for the past decade, he has guided a large, multi-faceted program of music and the arts. While serving …

Danie Schwartz, Childcare Coordinator Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2021 Academic background Middle Tennessee State University, B. S., Integrated Studies, majors: Education and English; minor: Psychology, to be completed in 2022 Family life One son, Noah, starting kindergarten. He plays baseball. Interests and activities “Reading, hiking, cooking, volunteering, spending time with my son and dog” Places called home besides Nashville …

Angie Slade, Communications and Facility Use Coordination Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2000 Academic background Lipscomb University, B.A., Social Work, minor in Art Family life Rhea Richards, partner since 2006 Interests and activities Hiking, kayaking, photography, and volunteering with local hospice organizations Places called home besides Nashville Luray, VA Washington, DC Reason for chosen career “I enjoy designing graphics and …