Our Ministry Team
Swansboro United Methodist Church is committed to reaching out with the love of Christ to embrace and serve all God’s people. Our commitment begins in our community and extends around the world. Our ministry team includes all believers in our fellowship who seek to love God, care for one another, and serve our neighbors in Jesus’ name. Among that team are some who empower, equip, and come alongside others as we strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world:

G. Kevin Baker
Lead Pastor
Pastor Kevin joined the ministry team at Swansboro UMC in June 2019. He is passionate about evangelism, outreach, and equipping others to find their God-given purpose. He loves to read, write, play basketball, and fish – especially with a cast net. He is married to his wife Denise and they have three adult children. One of the verses that guide his life and ministry is Micah 6:8: “God has told you what is good – to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God.“
Email: pastorkevin@swansboroumc.org

Adam M. Barth
Pastor of Discipleship
Pastor Adam joined the ministry team at Swansboro UMC in July 2018. He is passionate about public theology, preaching, and encouraging people to ask the tough questions of their faith. He loves to ride motorcycles, take the boat out, hang out with his family, and have a book to read. He is married to his wife Alysia and they have one infant son – Lyle. One of the verses that guide his ministry is Isaiah 6:8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
Email: pastoradam@swansboroumc.org

Layne Harpine
Director of Student Ministries
Layne started attending Swansboro United Methodist Church in July 2009 and became part of the staff on November 1, 2019. He has always had a passion for sharing about Christ through presenting, leading, and singing. He enjoys the beach, spending time in the mountains, golf, lifting weights, and helping with SUMC Youth. He is married to his wife Annette and they have two children. One of his guiding verses is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.“

Rachel Moser
Interim Pastor of Congregational Care
I am a native North Carolinian. I have never lived anywhere else! Forest Hills High School in Marshville, Greensboro College, and Duke Divinity School are my alma maters. In 1978 my husband, Rick, and I were ordained elders in the North Carolina Conference. Since that time I have served churches as pastor, Director of Christian Education, and for several wonderful years at the Robeson County Church and Community Center. From 2002-2012 I served Swansboro UMC as associate pastor. Rick and I have three sons, two lovely daughters-in-law, and one dearly beloved grandson. We live in New Bern.
Email: rtmoser@nccumc.org

Leah Czanderna
Director of Contemporary Worship
Leah Czanderna joined the ministry team at Swansboro UMC in October 2019. She has always had a passion for singing and playing music and strives to worship the Lord through her life. She loves living near the beach, working with youth, being active, and spending time with her dog, Bella. One of her favorite verses that helps to guide her in life is Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Alysia Barth
Office Manager / Administrative Assistant
Alysia started attending Swansboro United Methodist Church in July 2018 and became part of the staff in March 2019. She loves being in relationship with the church congregation and helping the church flow day to day. She worked as a Certified Dental Assistant for 14 years until she had her son in October 2018. Spending time with family is her favorite pastime. One verse that helps her every day is Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.“

Elethia Green
Discipleship Assistant
Elethia started attending Swansboro United Methodist Church in Sept. 2015 and became part of the staff in March of 2019. She is passionate about creating community & connections between people and families within the church. She loves spending time with family and friends. One verse that guides her through life is Colossians 3:12: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Christy Denham
Financial Administrator and Human Resource Coordinator
Christy rejoined the staff at Swansboro United Methodist Church in November 2020 after moving back to the area. She enjoys working with the church congregation and helping in anyway she can. She enjoys gardening, traveling and going to the beach. She is married to her husband Chris and they have two boys. Her favorite bible verse is “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejpise and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Email: finance@swansboroumc.org

Allison Cowell
Childcare Director
Allison Cowell joined the childcare center in September 2015. She is passionate about children, their care and education. She is married to her husband Mark and they have two boys. She loves to spend time with her family and travel especially to the mountains. One of her favorite verses that guides her, and she shares with others is Luke 6:31 “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Email: childcare@swansboroumc.org

Linda Linn
Childcare Assistant Director
Linda Linn joined the child care center on July 30, 1993. She loves going to the beach and swimming. She enjoys reading, being around animals, and nature. She loves spending time with her two nieces and three nephews. Her favorite verse is John 13:34. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
Email: childcaread@swansboroumc.org

Carl Mullins
Facility Technician
While visiting the area to see their son and his family, Carl and his wife fell in love with the area and moved to Swansboro in November of 2019. He joined the staff in February of 2020 and he and his wife, Sheila, also attend worship services. When he is not working, Carl enjoys spending time with his family, especially his new granddaughter, Isla, riding his motorcycle, roughhousing with his dog, Finn, and spending time at the beach.

Nate Harpine
Assistant Audio Visual Technician
Nathaniel joined the staff at Swansboro United Methodist Church in January 2021. He is passionate about computers, working on cars, and bringing people closer to God. He loves kayak fishing in our local waters, lifting weights, playing golf and building computers. He is the son of Layne and Anette Harpine. One of the verses that guide him is Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” the beach.
Email: nateharpine@gmail.com
Staff Directory
Position | Name | Phone | |
Lead Pastor | Pastor Kevin Baker | 910.326.4822, ext. 317 | PastorKevin@SwansboroUMC.org |
Pastor of Discipleship | Pastor Adam Barth |
910.326.4822, ext. 316 | PastorAdam@SwansboroUMC.org |
Director of Student Ministries | Dr. Layne Harpine | 910.326.4822, ext. 321 | StudentMinistries@SwansboroUMC.org |
Director of Music Ministries | 910.326.4822, ext. 320 | Music@SwansboroUMC.org | |
Director of Contemporary Worship | Mrs. Leah Czanderna | 910.326.4822 | BeaconWorship@SwansboroUMC.org |
Financial Administrator | Mrs. Christy Denham | 910.326.4822, ext. 315 | Finance@SwansboroUMC.org |
Office Manager / Administrative Assistant |
Mrs. Alysia Barth | 910.326.4822, ext. 314 | AdminAssistant@SwansboroUMC.org |
Discipleship Assistant | Mrs. Elethia Green | 910.326.4822, ext. 313 | DiscipleAssistant@SwansboroUMC.org |
Audio/Video Technician/Operator | Mr. Steve Dyer | 910.326.4822 | |
Childcare & Preschool Director | Mrs. Allison Cowell | 910.326.3711, ext. 309 | Childcare@SwansboroUMC.org |
Childcare & Preschool Assistant Director | Ms. Linda Linn | 910.326.3711, ext. 303 | ChildcareAD@SwansboroUMC.org |
Facility Technician | Mr. Carl Mullins | 910.326.4822 | Facilitytech@swansboroumc.org |
District Superintendent | Rev. Jon Strother | SUMC is part of the Sound District in NC | |
Resident Bishop | Rev. Hope Morgan Ward |