Leadership

Rev. David Jong-Hyun Lee. David was born in Seoul, S. Korea, the son of a UMC pastor and grandson (mother’s side) of a Presbyterian pastor. He enjoys reading, sports and playing tennis. He is married to Amy Carol Lee and they have three children, Lincoln Soo-Han, 2 years old, Rohry Sung-Han, 8 months old and Francis Jung-Han, 1 week old; and 2 cats, Glenn and Maggie.
David received his B.A. in English Lit. and Philosophy from Boston Univ and his MDiv. from Duke Divinity School. His past work experiences include Peace Corps, Central Asia; Kyrgyzstan; New Covenant Fellowship Church (Germantown, MD), Polkville UMC (Polkville, NC), Covenant UMC, (Charlotte, NC), Summerfield-Peace UMC (Summerfield, NC) and Bradley Memorial UMC (Gastonia, NC).

Tammy Bass is originally from Chattanooga, TN although she has called Boiling Springs, NC home for 27 years. Most recently she has served as Director of First-Year Programs at Gardner-Webb University. She has a very unconventional career path beginning as a snow-cone truck driver, followed by ministry, healthcare, and community development jobs. Throughout all these jobs Tammy held a common theme of serving God, serving others, and growing together with those who crossed her path. Tammy attended Baylor University (BS), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MARE), and Gardner-Webb University (EdD).
Tammy is married to Bob Bass, professor of mathematics at GWU. They have a son, Jonathan (attorney), and daughter-in-law, Corinne (non-profit consultant), living in Durham, NC and a daughter, Rebekah (public health), who lives in Asheville, NC. In addition to spending time with family, Tammy enjoys hearing people’s unique life stories, talking to friends, a good cup of coffee, and looking at the mountains.

I serve as Director of Music Ministries for Central United Methodist Church. My wife Jennifer and I live in Shelby with our two daughters, Emma and Mary Jane. When I am not planning or leading worship and rehearsals, I can be found spending time with my family and tending to our farm. The Buckners are happy to worship and serve at Central.

I was born and raised in the small town of Bryan, Ohio and grew up going to Wesley United Methodist Church. Church was a big part of my childhood and adolescence. I sang in children’s choir, played hand bells and occasionally played the trumpet in the church orchestra.
 
I moved to North Carolina about three years ago for work and now work for North Carolina Farm Bureau in Kings Mountain. I live in Shelby and have two dogs, Peanut and Tony, which are both rescues. (You could say I am a crazy dog mom and love dressing them up in pajamas despite how they might feel.) I love our Uptown and this area is somewhere I would like to eventually settle down and buy a house.
 
Being that I wanted to stay and put down roots, I decided to find another church to attend regularly. Since I was raised Methodist, Central was the first church I tried. I remember being welcomed by so many and people would tell me they were happy I came back each week. I never looked for another church. I have found an incredible support system, friendship and (southern) family since moving to NC. I know things can be rough sometimes growing up and I want to make sure the youth at Central are able to find that same type of friendship, love and support that I have found. No matter where you may go in life, those memories and Christian values have followed me and made the hard times a lot easier to get through. During the Ash Wednesday service this past year, I felt like God was really speaking to me. I decided to make this year about strengthening my relationship with him and really trying to listen to the plans he has for me. That’s a big part of what made me consider the youth director position. I am so grateful for my new church family and all the love and support you have shown me.

Caroline is a native of Cleveland County. She was the Children’s Sunday School teacher for 10 years at Forest Hills UMC in Nashville, TN and received Godly Play training in 2022. Prior to moving back to North Carolina in 2022, she was the Program Assistant at the College of Music and Performing Arts at Belmont University. Caroline is a harpist and enjoys classical music. She is passionate about engaging with and serving the community. Most recently, she worked 6 months in 2023 for NC 211 community referral phone line. Caroline holds a B.A. degree in Biology and Music from UNC-Chapel Hill and a M.M. degree in Harp Pedagogy from Belmont University. She resides in Polkville, NC.

My life in one sentence: I am a Marine brat married to a United Methodist Pastor. While I have lived the world over and graduated high school from Kubasaki High School on Okinawa, Japan, I have spent the majority of my life in North Carolina having lived as a child in Havelock and Jacksonville, graduated from UNC-G, and married a native North Carolinian. My degree is in Elementary Education and I have taught preschool in a variety of settings. I have also worked for a medical office, rental car company and as de facto church secretary. I felt the call into ministry in college but never imagined that would mean being a pastor’s wife. My husband was appointed to Aldersgate UMC the summer of 2016 and we love Shelby. I have two daughters, Madeleine and Lillian. Madeleine graduated from Wake Forest University in 2020 and Lillian graduated from Shelby High School in 2020. My home also belongs to 2 rescue pups, Chance and Willow. It is a blessing to be in Shelby, at Aldersgate UMC and at Central UMC.

I serve as the Pastoral Counselor here at Central. I am a therapist and a life coach with Spirit Song Counseling Group. I have office hours by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I received my Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and I completed my clinical training at the Carolina Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training. I am an Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.
I am married to Scott Griffith, and we have three children, Laurie, Amanda, and David. For more information about counseling services here at Central or to schedule an appointment, please call (704) 810-4344 or email

I have served as Director of Central’s Kid’s Place Preschool for many years and enjoy helping prepare children for “big school”. I attended UNCW and UNCC before becoming a wife and mother. I am married to Eddie Rempson. We have four daughters, Zee, Zanna, Zoe and Zella and one son, Zane. We enjoy family trips to the beach and to Lake Norman. I love being part of Kid’s Place and the opportunities to teach children school readiness skills and most importantly, about our wonderful, loving God.

 I have served as organist for Central since 2001. I hold an undergraduate degree from Greensboro College and a Masters in Organ Performance from Northwestern University. I am also staff accompanist at Gardner Webb University. I am married to Dr. Michael Alexander and have two children: a son Daniel, who lives in Raleigh, and a daughter Julia, who lives in Greensboro. 

Central UMC is blessed to be led by devoted church members who volunteer their time to oversee the mission and vision of our church. We appreciate all the work they do to serve our church and our community.