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:
Pastors
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
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1005
Regina Harrison
Associate Pastor
Pastor Regina joined the ministry team at Swansboro UMC in July 2022. She is a native South Carolinian who lived in Wilmington, NC, for eight years, moved to Iowa for 14 years, and is thrilled to be back home in the Carolinas. She is passionate about evangelism, building relationships (individually and in small groups), outreach, and missions. She experiences God profoundly in nature; she loves sports (diehard Clemson Tiger fan), reading, spending time with her family, and playing the piano. Her joys in life: three adult children, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and two granddaughters…and her furry daughter, Tilly, who keeps her young. One scripture that is foundational to her faith is Mark 12:29b-31 “’Here, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
Email: pastorregina@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1010
Our Team
Layne Harpine
Director of Student Ministries and Christian Education
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, golfing, 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.“
Email: studentministries@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1008
Andrea Assenzio
Finance Coordinator
Andrea joined the staff in April 2023. She relocated from Mahopac, NY, to Swansboro, NC, in 2021 and is loving living in the friendliest city by the sea. She loves boating, traveling, and spoiling her 6 grandchildren. One verse that gives her strength is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Email: finance@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1009
Alysia Barth
Communication and Connection Coordinator
Alysia became a part of the staff at Swansboro United Methodist Church 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 first son in October 2018. She now has 2 boys and loves spending time with her family. 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.“
Email: connect@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1006
Kathy Vigneaux
Administrative Assistant
Kathy joined the staff in July 2021. She loves spending time with family; and likes to read, write, garden, and walk on the beach. She and her husband Dick moved to Swansboro in 2012. They have 6 adult children, 3 sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren. She says there has been a key verse for each of life’s seasons, and her current favorite is Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the HolySpirit.”
Email: adminassistant@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1002
Kristen Viszneki
Director of Music Ministries
Kristen is thrilled to be led by our Lord to be part of such a dynamic group of worship leaders! She has been an active part of many Music Ministries throughout the years in many Churches in New York State, Connecticut, and North Carolina. She loves to write, read, and travel! Kristen has two sons, 7th grader Max and High School Senior Joe, and they live with three cats. She has taught at Swansboro Middle School for sixteen years and is a proud Pirate Music and Drama Director. Kristen began her teaching career at White Oak Elementary in 1998. 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain; Faith, Hope, Love. But the greatest of these is Love.”, is her favorite Bible verse.
Email: kristen@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1007
Bryan Hoff
Contemporary Worship Leader
Bryan is a father of four boys, husband to a military spouse, and became a staff member of Swansboro UMC in August 2023. Bryan is passionate about encouraging others in their natural giftings, leading worship, and hearing how God is known to others. Outside the church walls, he enjoys writing songs, spending time with family in nature, smoking meat, and talking theology. Bryan believes God calls us to be available to His Holy Spirit and others as we exercise Christ-like compassion and servanthood. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2.
Email: beaconworship@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822
Ashley Hopkins
SwanKids Ministry Leader
Ashley is the proud wife of a US Navy Chaplain, mother of one son, and joined the staff in January 2024. She is passionate about leading children in worship and a deeper understanding of their faith, encouraging believers of all ages in their giftings, and hearing the stories of God at work in the lives of those around her. Outside the church walls, she enjoys spending her time with family and friends,
creating space for military spouses to stay connected to their faith, writing devotions, spontaneous worship moments, and chatting theology with people of all backgrounds. Ashley believes we are all God’s children, created on purpose, with a purpose, to serve the Lord and others, and enjoys helping others discover their purpose. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6
Kevin Murphy
Facility Technician
Kevin is a Swansboro native, but moved to Newport with his wife Jennifer, his three sons (Dylan, Colin, and Evan), and his step-daughter (Brooklyn) in 2015. Kevin worked for a property management company for over 17 years as a supervising maintenance technician before venturing out and starting a business hauling horses up and down the east coast. He loves to play soccer, bodyboard, travel, and work at their 10-acre horse farm, where they care for, rehabilitate, and train horses. Kevin became a staff member at Swansboro Methodist in October 2023. Joining SMC has allowed Kevin’s relationship and alliance with God to grow, giving him a sense of peace and a rejuvenated purpose to serve the church and God. “Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.” Acts 20:28
Childcare Center Leadership
Allison Cowell
Childcare Director
Allison 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
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 2001
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
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 2002
Conference Leadership
| District Superintendent | Rev. Jon Strother | SUMC is part of the Sound District in NC | |
| Resident Bishop | Rev. Connie Mitchell Shelton |