Rachel rosellinI
Director of Children's Ministry| rrosellini@sopinesumc.org
Rachel grew up and is a member of her home church, Salem United Methodist Church in Barrington Illinois. She worked as a K-5 Elementary Music Specialist in the local school district there for many years. In addition to her work in public schools, Rachel served as the Artistic Director of the Palatine Children's Chorus from 2012 until the Spring of 2018. She holds her Masters in Music Education with an emphasis in Kodály from Capital University and her Bachelors in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Rachel has been moving around the country with her military family since 2018. Her husband, Hsienjan, is stationed at Fort Liberty and their son is a student at Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School. Most recently Rachel taught in a threes classroom at Good Shepherd Day School in Tampa, FL. Rachel has taught at many age levels through her career, spanning from preschool students to graduate students at DePaul University in Chicago. Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the Southern Pines UMC staff.
Southern Pines United Methodist Church
175 MIDLAND ROAD | SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387
PHONE: 910-692-3518 FAX: 910-692-5875
E-MAIL: SPUMC@NC.RR.COM
Laura Southerland
Social Media Ministry, Dir. of Comms, A/V Production Ops, & Still Photographer | lsoutherland@sopinesumc.org
Born and raised in Southern Pines, Laura is a lifelong SoPinesUMC member. Her first paying job was feeding Mrs. Jane Dillon’s cat, Snickers! Laura was an active youth member, from being an acolyte to attending youth group and singing in the youth choir. She may have even played the handbells once or twice, but being active locally wasn’t enough. At the state level, she represented SoPines UMC as the church’s ACS delegate and was elected as an ACS youth officer multiple times. After college at UNCW, Laura spent the next 15 years in Event / Live Broadcast Operations before packing up & moving back home to Southern Pines.
“I am so excited to showcase our AMAZING church to the community, to share all our WONDERFUL acts of service, and to INSPIRE those to lead a life of discipleship and service. The church has always been there for me and now it’s my turn!”
Elias ballew
Associate Pastor | eballew@nccumc.org
Elias grew up in Roanoke Rapids, NC and went to NC State for undergrad. After some time in the Marine Corps and working in non-profit work, he began working in ministry in 2019 as a youth pastor at St. Luke UMC in Sanford. He graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2022, working at St James UMC in Raleigh as a youth pastor during his time in seminary. He began his first pastoral appointment at SPUMC in July 2022 as the associate pastor. He is excited to work with the youth group, to shepherd them in their faith journey, and to connect them to God, the church, and to the conference. He loves leading worship, preaching, and presiding at the communion table. In his free time, he enjoys running and working out. He also enjoys hiking, playing disc golf, and taking trips to beautiful places in the area and around the world. He has an older brother Caleb, a twin sister Olivia, and two cats Cal and Hobbes.
Taylor Hickey
Director of Music | thickey@sopinesumc.org
Taylor is the Director of Choirs at SPUMC. She feels blessed to lead the Chancel and Handbell Choirs, as well as the Seasonal Cantata and Children’s Choirs. She studied at Oklahoma State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Vocal Concentration. She has worked as a public school music educator and clinician, and is now a private voice and piano teacher, Kindermusik Educator, and vocal soloist. Taylor and her husband, Brad, are raising their two young children here in Moore County. When she is not making music, she enjoys traveling, gardening, listening to books and podcasts, and fellowship with good friends.
REV. JOHN MICHAEL MCALLISTER
Senior Pastor | jmcallister@nccumc.org
Nanette martin
Administrative Secretary | spumc@nc.rr.com
Nanette Martin was born in East Meadow, NY, but was educated here in Moore County. She has an Associate Degree from Sandhills Community College and enjoys her job as Administrative Secretary at the Southern Pines United Methodist Church.
"Working here is a blessing because I have a chance to utilize my Christian beliefs and practices. Working for SPUMC, a church that is very active in sharing Christ's Peace and Love is a wonderful experience."
alan daubenspeck
Accompanist / Praise Band | daubenspeck.alan@gmail.com
Alan has thirty plus years experience in worship Christ through music; piano, guitar, bass, organ, vocals, choral directing, arranging and composition. He graduated from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He earned his Master of Music/ Media degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
In addition to serving our church, Alan teaches music at Sandhills Theatre Arts Renaissance School in Vass, N.C. He also is a member of the Sandhills Community College Jazz Band, Heart of Carolina Jazz Band, Audio Engineering Society and the Vass Lion’s Club. Alan and his wife, Debra, have two children: Brandon and Bridget.
John Michael is convinced he has the coolest job in the world. He delights in getting to know people and their stories. A native of Fayetteville, NC, he had plans of working with people with disabilities, but his experience with God altered his career path. He earned a BA in Psychology, an MS in Rehabilitation Psychology and Counseling, and an MSW in Social Work – all from UNC-Chapel Hill. He was trained as a hospital and hospice chaplain and then went to seminary (at Duke…but framed the diploma in Carolina blue).
JM believes the transformational love God offers us is most clearly encountered through community, as God cares for people through people. As we grow in grace, following the way of Jesus, we are changed from the inside out. Ministry, he believes, ultimately links individual spiritual formation with loving service that blesses others in real and practical ways. Beyond ministry, he loves spending time with his wife and daughter, cycling, road trips, photography, and excellence in pizza.