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 8 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; love 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 expecting two granddaughters in the fall…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
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.“
Email: studentministries@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1008
Stephanie Villanueva
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Stephanie joined the Swansboro United Methodist Church staff in August of 2021. She is a Marine Corps wife and has lived in many places around the United States. Stephanie received her Bachelors in Human Services and has worked in coordinating many different events/programs to enrich the lives of others. She is compassionate in helping others and giving back to her community. Stephanie has been married to her husband for 15 years and they have 4 children- Anthony, Phoenix, Jaxon, and Emilia. She loves adventuring and immersing herself in the culture of wherever the Marine Corps sends them. Spending time with family, going to the beach, and exploring new places are some of the things that feeds Stephanie’s soul. One of her favorite verses that helps guide her life is Proverbs 19:21, “You can make plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Email: childrensministries@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1012
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 any way 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 rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Email: finance@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822 ext. 1009
Alysia Barth
Communication and Connection Coordinator
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 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
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
Brandon Armstrong
Director of Contemporary Worship
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
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 grandchildren, Isla and Cillian, riding his motorcycle, roughhousing with his dogs, Finn and Maisy, and spending time at the beach.
Email: facilitytech@swansboroumc.org
Phone: 910-326-4822
Jessica Shaheen
Children’s Ministry Instructor
Jessica attended Swansboro United Methodist Church for several years before becoming a member in June of 2020, then a member of staff in March of 2022. Since becoming a church member, she has taken part in volunteering with UMKids and VBS as well as participating in various studies including bible study with SwanLife group. During the week, Jessica is passionate in her role as Lead Instructor for Salt & Light Academy, a faith-based educational setting for grades K-12. Jessica enjoys attending church and hanging out with her husband, Michael, and son, Xavier. She also delights in reading, days spent at the beach, and taking trips with friends or family. Jessica has always believed the youth should be our responsibility and legacy, bearing in mind the following Bible verse. “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 19:14
Jennifer Miller
Children’s Ministry Instructor
Jennifer Miller joined St.Paul in 2020 in Knoxville, TN. Because she loved the Children’s Ministry programs the church offered, she joined Swansboro United Methodist Church in March 2022 as a Children’s Ministry Provider. Jennifer is passionate about teaching others and has her Associate’s Degree in Education. She is a semester away from her Bachelor’s Degree and seeing the smiles of the children she cares for brightens her day. Jennifer Miller enjoys nature trails with her dog, the beach, and giving back to the community. One thing I stand by is that you should always be kind to others. If you have to choose between being kind or being right, choose being kind and you will always be right.
Childcare 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. Leonard Fairley |