Greetings from all of the staff here at Central! We are glad you're here. We are passionate about people and the church and look forward to serving you. If we can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.
MINISTRY staff
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REV. DR. SCOTT WRIGHT
LEAD PASTOR
Brother Scott joined the leadership team at Central on July 1, 2024.
Bro. Scott was born in Meridian, MS, 55 years ago and lived in various places during his childhood due to being a “military brat.” In 1988, he graduated from Meridian High School and joined the Mississippi Air National Guard. Before Boot Camp, Bro. Scott went on a “Senior Trip” to Florida and while there, lost his cousin, best friend, and others in a tragic car accident. This led Bro. Scott to consider God’s call on his life.
Growing up Roman Catholic, he went off to Seminary in Indiana with the thought of becoming a priest. In 1993 he graduated from St. Meinrad Seminary College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Sciences. He then left the Roman Catholic Church and joined Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church in Meridian where his father was a member, as well as Denise (his soon-to-be bride!) and her family.
In March of 1994, Bro. Scott married Denise and began selling chemicals for the manufacture of pulp and paper for Buckman Laboratories out of Memphis, TN. The time he spent traveling the roads helped him hear the continued call of God in his life. After time spent with his Pastor, he answered God’s call to the ministry in the United Methodist Church. Bro. Scott is a graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity Degree as well as the degree of Doctor of Ministry. He has served Mississippi United Methodist Churches for 28 years. Bro Scott & Denise are proud to be home and serving as the Pastor of Central United Methodist Church.
They have two daughters, Kaelin, a 911 dispatcher for Petal Police Department, and Ali Grace Brunt, a second- grade teacher in the Rankin County School District; and a son-in-law, Thomas Brunt, who is an ICU nurse at UMMC in Jackson. They also helped raise six foster children for the state of Mississippi and have had the wonderful honor of parenting two foreign exchange students from Ukraine and France. Their family enjoys spending time together, playing games, traveling, outdoor activities including hunting, fishing and boating, and being involved in their community!
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REV. Matt Farmer
Associate Pastor / YOUTH DIRECTOR
Matt joined the leadership team at Central in June of 2018.
Over the last 20 years, he has served various roles in ministry from Worship Pastor to Lead Pastor and many positions in between. Before being appointed to Central, he was previously appointed to Big Oak UMC, near DeKalb, where he served as Lead Pastor for 2 years. Matt completed the requirements for licensing in May 2018 and was licensed for Pastoral Ministry at the 2018 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference and is continuing to pursue his educational requirements as a licensed local Pastor in the United Methodist Church through Candler School of Theology at Emory in Atlanta, GA.
Matt desires to help others see and embrace the love and grace of Jesus and is passionate about life transformation in the context of community and personal relationships. He is married to his wife, Tiffany, of 16 years. Together, they have one son, Ellis.
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REV. CHRIS BOWERS
ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR MISSIONS AND SENIOR ADULTS
Chris Bowers is a life-long Mississippian, a former member of Central United Methodist Church, and a Licensed Local Pastor in the Mississippi Conference.
Chris, his wife, Jennifer, and their youngest daughter, Lucy, recently returned to Central as they decided to make a move back into full time ministry. Chris and Jenny have two older children, Simon and Grace, who are both currently finishing up their college careers.
Chris did his undergraduate work at Millsaps College, received his master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree from Emory/Candler School of Theology.
He has worked in various ministerial roles over the years, including Children’s Minister, Youth Minister, Disaster Response Coordinator, and Associate Pastor at Main Street UMC in Hattiesburg. His sense of calling has always included serving those who are marginalized, teaching the Bible, and exploring theology within the community of believers.
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REV. Bob Peden
Bob is a retired ordained deacon with the United Methodist Church.
His role at Central includes working with the Missions Committee in discerning needs and deploying people to help meet those needs, both physical and spiritual, in Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi and around the world.
Bob also leads the Sanctuary Choir for worship services at Central.
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Sabrina Williams
Children & Family Ministries Director
Sabrina serves as the Children and Family Ministries Director. She plans and oversees programming for Nursery-5th Grade students at Central. She also serves as primary staff person for family retreats, church-wide events and community events. Sabrina has served in Children's Ministry, in one capacity or the other, most of her adult life. She has a certification in Christian Education from Columbia College and has served as Central's Children's Ministry Director for the past 21 years.
Sabrina is married to Rick and they have three children by birth, four by marriage and seven grandchildren. (Michelle and Robert Mayfield - Will, Aubrye, and Miley; Angela and Cyle Keith - Brett and Weston; Lee Williams, Brad and Melanie Williams - (Hunter and Ella.) In her spare time, Sabrina's number one passion is her family. Nothing inspires or refreshes her more than her grandchildren. She also enjoys sewing, crocheting, antiquing, gardening, cooking and playing the piano. She enjoys all styles of music but her favorite Christian group is Selah.
Her favorite verse in her sometimes crazy life is: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.
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