Revs. Brian and Jeaux Simmons

Interim Pastors

The Simmons joined Sharon and the Global Methodist Church on February 9, 2025. We retired from Pastoral ministry in the UMC and moved to Supply in July 2023. Both of us completed our Bachelor’s Degrees (Religious Studies) at Mary Baldwin College and graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with Master of Divinity Degrees. Brian became a pastor in 2005 and had four appointments during his 18 years in pastoral ministry. Jeaux began ministry in 2007 in the extension ministry of Hospice Chaplain, where she served until her appointment to pastoral ministry in 2012, followed by three appointments until retiring in 2023. While our appointments enabled us to enjoy many joint ministry events and activities, during our last appointment from 2019 to 2023, we were appointed to serve together.

We have always been a great team in many things, and have been married for 45 years. We will both be ordained as Elders in the Global Methodist Church at the Carolina Annual Conference in June 2025. We look forward to serving our church family at Sharon Methodist Church during this time of transition.

Larry “Doc” Ferrell

Interim Pastor

Doc holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Lee College, a Master of Divinity from Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and a Master of Theology in Ethics and Moral Development from Emory University. He also earned an EdD in Counseling and Pastoral Community Counseling from Argosy University and a Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University.

With 4.5 years of pastoral experience and 20 years of service as a Navy Chaplain, he has established a robust background in counseling, including 13 years as a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor. Currently, he serves as the Administrator for the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program at the Naval Medical Center in Camp Lejeune.

In addition to his professional commitments, Larry is an active member of the Wilmington Celebration Choir, where he sings tenor, and has been attending Sharon Methodist Church since 2021, along with his late wife, Cil Ferrell.

Jeffery Sypole

Interim Pastor

Jeff is a retired United Methodist clergyman who served eight churches over a period of twenty-three years. He is a second-career minister who worked for twenty years in the hospitality industry. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in May 2003 and was ordained in June 2008. He has been attending Sharon Church since his retirement in July 2022.

JACKIE LEONARD

Crossing Network Coordinator
& Accountant

Jackie Leonard lives in Supply, NC, with her husband Bill. She has been the Accountant for Sharon Methodist Church for over a year and a half and recently accepted another position within the church ministry. In addition to her duties as Church Accountant, Jackie is the new Crossing Network Coordinator. Jackie has a background of work in medical office management, medical billing, and managing low-income apartment complexes while living in Virginia. Her passion has always been helping people, particularly those people who need necessities we sometimes take for granted.

The Crossing Network is a beautiful space where the church and community meet. Our vision for The Crossing Network is creating partnerships with other service agencies and non-profits to offer programs, and classes and find volunteer advocates to help local families, Veterans, seniors, and the homeless population with needs such as making online appointments, assistance with online forms and searches, counseling on health insurance and assistance with VA benefits, coordinating resources for seniors who wish to live independently, resources for caregivers, and educational resources with classes in nutrition, finance, and budgeting.

MEL SELLERS

Administrative Assistant

Melissa Sellers is the new administrative assistant at Sharon Methodist Church. Originally from Raleigh, NC, Mel has lived in both Los Angeles and New Orleans before finding her way to the picturesque coast of Holden Beach. She has always had a passion for assisting others and ensuring that offices operate efficiently. With a diverse background in administration, ranging from receptionist to executive assistant to office manager, Mel is dedicated to enhancing someone else's day and ensuring everything runs smoothly. With the ultimate goal of sharing the love of Jesus with the world and demonstrating the compassion and kindness that He has for all of us.

HENRY VAN DRIEL

Organist

Henry’s career spans many years of customized customer service in sales, sales support, and daily operations. Account management has been an integral part of his success through the years. Outside of work, Henry loves spending time at the beach with his wife, Linda, walking, reading, fishing, and people-watching. His appreciation for music, and specifically playing his Hammond organ since 1972, led him to serve as a church organist for over 43 years before calling Sharon his church home in 2016 and becoming a part of our music team.

TINA  Kennerson

Manager, The Rose of Sharon Thrift Store

Tina has been The Rose of Sharon Thrift Store manager since November 2020 and led the store into its post-COVID reopening in January 2021. Tina is from Trumansburg, NY, located in the Finger Lakes region in upstate NY. She has two children and four grandchildren. She and her husband, Dave, have lived in Holden Beach since 2017. 

Tina is a dynamic leader and the “backbone” of The Rose. She has a heart for helping others and a unique ability to recognize when someone is in need. She has developed close, caring relationships with so many regular customers. Her volunteers love her, and there is a true feeling of family among them.  

PAM LOVETT

Custodial Team

Pam is originally from Kingsport, Tennessee, but is happy to call Holden Beach her
full-time home now. In her spare time, Pam is an animal lover.

Along with staffing a church, it’s important to Sharon Methodist Church to work alongside a strong and committed slate of volunteers as part of our church Leadership Team. The connection and partnership between the church staff and church community is vital to the church’s health and essential for ongoing ministry and growth. Everyone has the opportunity to be in ministry and we appreciate our volunteers who step into leadership roles.

Chairman :  Jonas Daugherty

Lay Leader:  David Montague

Discipleship Team Leader: 

Family Ministries Team Leader:  Linda Van Driel

Finance Team Leader:  Don Bolinger

At Large/Finance:  Chuck Wilson

Worship Team Leader:  Susan Hessman

Facilities Team Leader: Rich Rudnicki

At Large/Facilities:  Edward Anderson

Missions/Outreach Team:  Paulette Harland

At Large/SPRC: