Staff

The staff of First United Methodist Church Pensacola, FL is ready to serve you, enable you, help you grow, be there in times of crisis and work with you to become better disciples and faithful servants of God’s Kingdom. Please feel free to e-mail or call for help, hope, inspiration and fellowship as you need to. We are always here to provide assistance to visitors, church members and the community.

Pastors

Wesley H. Wachob, Senior Minister

Wesley H. Wachob – Senior Minister The Rev. Dr. Wachob is a native of Chipley, Florida; He pursued his undergraduate degree at Southeastern College (B.A.), studied at Erskine Theological Seminary and the Candler School of Theology (M.Div.), did his doctoral work at the University of Chicago and Emory University (Ph.D.), and has been a member of the Society of Biblical Literature since 1985. A member of the Alabama – West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1975, he has also served congregations in three other annual conferences (North Georgia, Northern Illinois, and South Carolina). Prior to his present position, he was the Sr. Pastor of the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus of Emory University, where he also taught in the Candler School of Theology. Wesley was appointed to First Church in 2006. Wesley enjoys reading, golf, running, and spending time with his two children.

Among Dr. Wachob’s publications are The Voice of Jesus in the Social Rhetoric of James (Cambridge University Press, 2002), and contributions to The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Authenticating the Words of Jesus, Fabrics of Discourse, and most recently Reading James with New Eyes: Methodological Reassessments of the Letter of James (Continuum International Publishing Group, 2007).

Geoffrey D. Lentz, Associate Minister

Geoffrey D. Lentz is a native of Pensacola, Florida and serves as the associate pastor of First United Methodist Church in his hometown. With a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of West Florida and a Master of Divinity from Duke University, Rev. Lentz combines his knowledge of ancient church history with creative and innovative worship in his church’s fourth Sunday morning service called ICON. This cutting edge, tradition rich, and Christ centered style of worship is rapidly becoming the example for the future of Christian worship. He is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry with a focus on preaching and liturgy through Drew University.

Geoffrey and his wife, Elizabeth (Liz) live in Pensacola with their two children, Luke and Eliza. Geoffrey enjoys the outdoors, reading, music, and Duke University Basketball. Geoffrey is author of The Gospel According to St. Luke: A Participatory Study Guide.

Ken Autrey, Associate Minister of Evangelism

Ken Autrey was born and reared in Selma, Alabama. He is a graduate of Livingston University, now known as The University of West Alabama, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He received his Master of Divinity from The Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

He was ordained Deacon in 1974 and Elder in Full Connection in 1976, and has served churches across the bounds of The Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference.

Ken is married to the former Pamela Lynne Krause and they have two children, Kristoffer, age 22 and Morgan, age 13

Ken enjoys travel, reading and golf, but not necessarily in that order.

Karen Evans, Minister of Spiritual Formation

Karen received her MRE from Duke Divinity School and Specialist in Education from the University of Florida. Karen joined the church staff in June of 1987. She is an ordained Deacon.

Karen oversees our spiritual formation ministries for all ages. She works to empower laity and staff to offer ministries that will invite persons of all ages into a deeper relationship with God. She is also a certified Spiritual Director and provides direction for groups and individuals. She also oversees our prayer ministries including the conference labyrinth ministries. Her greatest passion in ministry is to help translate complicated theological ideas into simply terms for children, youth and adults.

Karen’s hobbies are reading, walking, college basketball, cross-stitch, hanging out with children and youth and laughing. She is married to Tim Evans, Executive director of Manna Food Pantries and the mother of Zach and Luke.

She is deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to walk with others on their faith journey.

Rick Branch, Minister of Music

Rick is the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church. He is an ordained Deacon and is professionally certified as a Minister of Music. He received a B.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Central Florida and a M.A. in Church Music and Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Under Rick’s leadership our ten choirs provide an opportunity for everyone to lift up their voice to the Lord! He has done post-graduate work at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.