Paul Lawler, Lead Curator

Paul is a husband, father, teacher, pastor, and church planter. He began serving as the Senior Pastor of Christ Church Birmingham in June of 2007. Before serving Christ Church, Paul was the founding pastor of a church plant he served for 16 years in Huntsville, Alabama. He often speaks at conferences and events and has taught in locations ranging from Ocean Grove Camp in New Jersey to the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville to Dave Ramsey’s employees at Ramsey Solutions. He is a graduate of Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary. He has led local churches to engage in planting hundreds of new churches on four continents.

Paul and his brother, Dallas businessman, Patrick Lawler, worked with the Compassionate Hope Foundation in founding and establishing four Patricia B. Hammonds Homes of Hope for children out of, or vulnerable to, human trafficking in Thailand. He is also President of the North Alabama Wesleyan Covenant Association. Paul serves on multiple boards ranging from The Wellhouse human trafficking ministry to the East Lake Initiative focusing on the urban poor. Paul and Missy have four children and one daughter in law. As an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church, UMs in North Alabama honored Paul by awarding him the Denman Evangelism Award for his servant-leadership in reaching new people for Jesus Christ. In his spare time, he enjoys family time, hiking, writing, reading, and a well-brewed cup of coffee. Email Paul

Bart Bowlin

Bart Bowlin is the pastor at Sheffield First United Methodist Church in Sheffield, Alabama. He grew up just across the river in Florence, holds a B.A. from the University of North Alabama, and an M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary. Bart has served as a pastor in churches across North Alabama, including several rural communities. Throughout his life, Bart has been blessed to participate in and lead ministries at Camp Sumatanga: from elementary camp to Emmaus Walks. Bart has facilitated pastor study groups that traveled around the world and taught Pastoral Leadership seminars in Guatemala. One of Bart’s joys is leading church members on mission trips overseas.

Bart is married to Liz, and they have raised five children, plus a foster son. The family includes two daughters-in-law and four grandsons. Liz is very active in children’s ministry and loves to teach Precept Bible Studies.

In the summer, Bart spends time in the garden and on the creek kayak fishing. In the fall, he watches football, especially the Crimson Tide.

Tommy Gray

Tommy was born in Huntsville and grew up in nearby Arab, Alabama. He began pastoring in 1983, at the age of 18. At this same time, he began attending UA Huntsville and later received a degree in Management Information Systems. He attended Memphis Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity and completed his education with a Doctorate of Ministry from Asbury Seminary.

Tommy joined the Asbury UMC staff in 2012 as the Executive Pastor. He has a broad history of pastoral ministry, including planting ClearBranch UMC in Trussville, where he was the Lead Pastor for twelve years, and serving as a UMC District Superintendent for four years. Tommy has a particular interest in new churches and mentoring the next generation leaders. He has been blessed to be in ministry in these areas on five different continents. In 2018, Tommy became the Lead Pastor at Asbury.

Tommy is married to Carrie and has two adult children, Matt and Breanne, and a son-in-law, Colby. He has three grandchildren, Millie, Corbin, and Emmie Rose. His hobbies include golf, listening to jazz music, and going to yard sales and concerts with his wife, Carrie.

Rudy Guess

Rudy Guess was raised in Cherokee, Alabama.  He accepted the call to preach in his sophomore year in High School.  He went to Troy State to play football but experienced a severe neck injury during his first year.  He began his ministry as a Youth Director in Dothan then took his first appointment his senior year at Troy.  He married Gina three weeks after becoming pastor at Old Tabernacle UMC.  Together they have lived out the call to grow more fully devoted followers of Jesus for 45 years of marriage and ministry.  He and Gina have two married daughters and five grandchildren.  After Graduating from Candler School of Theology, he became the Associate Pastor at Enterprise First UMC. 

In 1980, he transferred back to North Alabama and was appointed to Hazel Green.  During his nine years there he completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Drew Theological School while the church grew from an average of 75 to over 325.  He was asked to move to Jacksonville First UMC to help the church through a crises.  During his two years, the church grew from 225 in worship to 275.  He was appointed to Guntersville First UMC in 1991.  Over the next eight years, the church grew from 223 to 480. He has been nominated for the Denman Award for Evangelism four times and received it during his ministry at Guntersville. He was also nominated for the National Circuit Rider Award.  In 1999 he as asked to move to Gardendale, where he would serve for 13 years.  During his ministry, the church grew from 400 to 750.  His passion for Evangelism and Missions lead to the church’s first Global Impact Celebration, which moved the church from a few interested in missions to the Church in mission. In 2012 he was appointed to Decatur First UMC, where he served as an interim during some difficult times for the church.  He introduced the Global Impact Celebration, which renewed the church’s commitment to mission across the street and around the world.  Then in 2015, he became the Lead Pastor at Tuscumbia First UMC.  Again, introducing the Global Impact Celebration returned Tuscumbia First to being a leader in Faith Promise support for Global Mission.

God has used Rudy to help several other churches move into a greater commitment to the mission of Christ through the Global Impact Celebration.  He is the author of “Living the Abundant Life,” published by the Discipleship Resources, and has been used by ministry to grow more fully committed followers of Jesus. 

John Hill

John was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Samford University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a second major in Biology. After graduation, John went into the corporate world, working for State Farm and Automatic Data Processing. He also taught high school history for two years at Pelham Christian School. It was during this time that he realized God had bigger plans for him.

John served four years as Youth Director at Avondale United Methodist Church in Birmingham, while pursuing the Ministerial Candidacy track of the United Methodist Church. He has also served at Chapel Hill UMC in Decatur and Latham United Methodist Church. John started a new church in the Huntsville area called “The Bridge” in June of 2007 and began his ministry to Union: The Church at Chelsea Park in June of 2010. Since 2013 John has served Flint Hill Church in Alexander City.

John graduated from Memphis Theological Seminary with a Master’s in Divinity in 2006 and currently serves as a Law Enforcement Chaplain, with 12 years of experience, for the Alabama State Trooper’s, the United States Secret Service, and is the Lead Chaplain for the Alexander City Police Department. Rev. Hill holds many certifications including a certification in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He is also a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains with the credential of Master Chaplain. Chaplain Hill currently serves as President of the Alabama Critical Incident Response team, President of the Russell Medical Center Board of Chaplains, and in many other leadership roles.

John is very active in youth events at Camp Sumatanga, where he met the love of his life in Jill. They were married in May of 2006 in a beautiful ceremony beside the lake at Camp Sumatanga. They have five children, Erica, Jackson, Noah, Graden, and Sophie, and enjoy hiking and camping together.

Dr. John Kearns

John is the founding pastor of Christ Harbor United Methodist in Northport, Alabama. He has pastored since 1985 in Gadsden at Union Hill UMC, Fayette at Mt. Vernon UMC (Charge) , Northport at St. Mark UMC (Associate Pastor), and Christ Harbor UMC. Dr. Kearns has a bachelors from Furman University, Greenville, S.C. and completed both his Master’s and Doctor of Ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.

He is married, since 1980, to the former Kathy Duggan of Mountain Brook. They have two adult children and five grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. Tiwirai Kufarimai

Rev. Dr. Tiwirai Kufarimai (T.K.) started leading churches fulltime in 1993. He came to the United States in August of 2000. While in school, he was on staff at Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. TK is a graduate of the Interdenominational Theological College in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (M. DIV, Th. D.) in Atlanta, Georgia. He is married to Rev. Dr. Adlene Rutendo Kufarimai. They have two children; Precious Tatenda Kufarimai and Tendaishe Michael Kufarimai. He is the third child in a family of six.

Rev. Kufarimai has led United Methodist churches both in Zimbabwe and here in the United States. Having taught Middle School, then High School English and History, he went to seminary in Harare, Zimbabwe, and also completed his Chaplain Residency with Emory Hospitals.

Rev. T.K. has served at Haven Memorial United Methodist Church in Alexander City, He was later appointed to New Life (then Glen Adie) United Methodist Church in June of 2012. Together with his wife, they led the relaunching and revitalization of this congregation into a new vision, reaching the community in a powerful and transformative way. Dr. “TK”” as he is affectionately called; was appointed to St. Paul-Triana in July of 2018. He has served on numerous boards and teams, including the Anniston Fatherhood Initiative, the Youth Hope Builders Academy board, and many more.

Reverend Tiwirai loves many things including preaching, leading, teaching, inspiring others, gardening, poetry, traveling, and cooking some good food. Family time is important to him, and he loves to crack a joke or two. His positive spirit is contagious. His love for learning has led him to complete training as a certified Church Consultant.

Michael Miller

Pastor Michael Miller and his family came to Fort Payne First United Methodist Church in July of 2018. Michael attended Youth with A Mission Bible College in Hawaii, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and India and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees with honors in Social Work from the University of Alabama. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, where he is currently working on his doctoral studies. Pastor Michael has a full passion for God’s missional heart and has served worldwide from Africa to Central America through evangelism, missionary work and church planting, community development, and teaching English.

Cam Price

Cam grew up in and currently lives in Palmerdale, Alabama. For over twenty years, Cam was a cabinetmaker and worked in construction until the Lord called her and asked her to “lay down her drill.” Her call was and is to build people in the name of Jesus Christ instead of building things. Cam began full-time ministry as Discipleship Coordinator at Palmerdale United Methodist Church. During her time at Palmerdale, Cam became a local pastor and served as Associate Pastor. While serving as Associate Pastor at Clearbranch, Cam returned to the University of Alabama and finished her degree in Communication. After graduating, she attended Memphis Theological Seminary. She has been serving Turning Point UMC as Lead Pastor since 2013. Cam and Bill have been married and have been doing ministry together for 41 years. Even though they have no children, Cam and Bill enjoy many nieces and nephews and other children they love as their own. Cam still enjoys building things.

Dr. Robin B. Scott

Robin is the Lead Associate Pastor at Asbury United Methodist in Madison, Alabama. He began his ministry as a local pastor at Centre-Lebanon United Methodist in 1978. He has served as a Full Elder at Geraldine First (‘87-‘90), Palmerdale (‘90-‘02), Guntersville First (‘02-‘08), and Clearbranch (‘08-‘12). In 2012 Dr. Scott was appointed the District Superintendent of the Mountain Lakes District, which he serve duntil 2018. Following that appointment he served as the New Church Director for the North Alabama Conference until 2020.

Dr. Scott attended Jacksonville State University where he completed a B.S. in Political Science. He also holds an M.Div. from Candler School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary. He served on the Board of Ordained Ministry for twelve years, the New Church Team, and as delegate to both General and Jurisdictional conferences.

Dr. Scott has been married to Luann Ragsdale Scott for 42 years and they have two children and eight grandchildren. Robin enjoys golf, hiking, and spending time with family. He enjoys college football and basketball and Major League Baseball. He journals everyday and puts a devotion on Facebook most mornings. He walks at the local track most mornings and loves to read. At this point in his life his grandchildren and caring for his elderly Mom takes much of his time.

Vaughn Stafford

Vaughn was born in Livingston, AL, and lived in Eufaula, AL, in his early years, but grew up primarily in Anderson, IN. He received a degree in accounting and a minor in vocal performance from Anderson University while in Anderson. He has a Master of Divinity Degree from Asbury Seminary, where he is currently in doctoral studies.

Vaughn began singing at Gaither Studios when he was just twelve years old and sang there until he began ministry at age 25. Vaughn’s call to full-time ministry came while he was touring. He has been serving Clearbranch as Lead Pastor since 2013. He is passionate about people growing in a personal relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord and creating worship experiences that allow space for people to encounter God. He lives by the mantra of “living life above reproach, but never beyond approach.”

Vaughn married his love, Cindy, in 1997, and they have two children. Their daughter, Ellie, is studying at UAB, and their son, William, is in middle school. Vaughn enjoys fishing, playing golf, tennis, basketball, and most any other sports.