Join us for worship Sunday mornings at 10:15 a.m.

Leadership

Meet Our Pastor & Staff

Bryan Fink

dr. bryan fink

Pastor

I am the luckiest and most blessed guy in the world.  I have an incredible God, a wonderful wife and spectacular family.  I grew up in Colorado where I developed a love for hiking, camping, and fishing.  I have been on 7 pilgrimages to the Holy Land.  And every time I go Christ meets me like he met Cleopas and another disciple walking the Emmaus Road in Luke 24.  I enjoy reading, drinking coffee, and conversing with people.  Some of my favorite movies are The Blues Brothers, Caddy Shack and Christmas Vacation, Cool Runnings, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang!  Wild Hogs and Cars.
 
I have served as pastor of FMC for 4 years and completed 33 years of ministry as of June 30, 2022.  And I just love it here.  This is a great church in a great community, and I hope you’ll get the joy of being part of both.
 
Jesus transformed my life in a radical way.  Grateful for what he had done in and for me I yielded to his call to serve him. When I asked the Lord what he wanted me to do for him with my life I heard, “Tell others about me and promote vital Christianity.”  So, I have given my life to help others experience new life in Christ and to pursue a life of intentional discipleship. 
 
I am married to the love of my life, Lucretia.  We have four adult children, Elizabeth, BJ, Teddy, and Alex. 
 
One of the most meaningful scripture passages for me at this time in my life is Ezekiel 36.26-27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”  I pray this prayer for myself and others as well.

  • Fort Lupton High School, Fort Lupton, Colorado
  • Bachelor of Arts, Greenville College, Greenville, IL
  • Master of Divinity, St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO
  • Doctor of Ministry, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY
 
I can’t wait to meet you!
Lee Bradley

lee bradley

Administrative Services

A Kansas native, I relocated with my children to Denver Colorado where they grew up. I worked for an international air cargo company for 36 years relocating to different cities during my career. Staring in Denver, CO, to Memphis, TN, Fayetteville, AR, Los Angeles, CA, Tucson AZ and finally back to Kansas in Overland Park. Believing in education I took classes no matter where I landed, working toward a business degree. After my retirement I relocated to Stuttgart to be close to my family. I love spending time with my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After a year of retirement, restlessness just didn’t let go. Off to work again, I settled in at First Church in June of 2007 and have enjoyed getting to know and work with different members, pastors and staff. I love my church and more than that I love Jesus, he is my strength, my rock, my salvation.

A favorite bible verse says it all:  1 Peter 2:24 NIV: “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for  righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

amy youngblood

Director of Worship Ministries

I am so grateful to say that I have been in ministry at Stuttgart FMC for 32 years.  FMC has become my home and my family and I can’t imagine my life without this church.  It has been so fun to watch kids come through the children and youth music ministries all these years and then return and serve in choirs as adults and bring their own children serving in music ministry.

I grew up in Waynesboro, MS and have been a lifelong United Methodist which makes up my DNA having descended from a long line of Methodists.  Growing up my family attended a small church outside of Waynesboro, Wayne Haven UMC, where I began playing the piano for worship at the age of 13.  The one thing that has influenced me and guided me all my life came from my mother.  When I was a typical teenager complaining that I wanted to go to my friend’s church – which meant I wouldn’t be playing for my church - my mother, in her wisdom, told me, “But, your church needs YOU.”  Those few words have propelled me and undergirded me, even to today, to serve where I am “put by God” and to use my gifts for the glory of Jesus Christ.

My greatest earthly treasure is my son, Garrett Law.  Garrett holds a Bachelor and Master of Horn Performance and plays professionally in the Omaha Symphony and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

In my spare time, I enjoy watching period dramas (especially if it’s British) and any drama or documentary about history (especially about WWII) with my two cats, Dudley and Gracie, napping in my lap.

My favorite verses are simple: “Be still and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10); “Sing to the Lord a new song.” (Psalm 96:1); “…(God’s) mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  These 3 verses give me the simple assurance of grace and God’s faithfulness every day. They remind me (1) I need to be still and listen to the Holy Spirit to know who God is and who God wants me to be and (2) God’s mercy, love and forgiveness gives me a chance to begin each day with a fresh new song.

Come join us for worship and check out all our Music Ministry opportunities for all ages!

Waynesboro Central High School, Waynesboro, MS
Bachelor of Music; Minor in Church Music, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS
Master of Church Music, Scarritt Graduate School, Nashville, TN

Amy Youngblood, Director of Music Ministries
(870) 830-6466 – cell
(870) 673-1131 - office
Jennifer White

Jennifer White

Student Discipleship Director

Jennifer “Pooh” White is a lifelong resident of Stuttgart, Arkansas, and has been connected with First  Methodist Church since birth. After high school, she moved to Arkadelphia and attended Ouachita Baptist University, graduating in 2011 with a degree in Christian studies with an emphasis in youth ministries, crisis counseling and a minor in psychology.

White started her career as an intern at her home church, which led to her taking on the leadership of the youth program. For the past decade, she has been the director of youth ministries at First Methodist Church of Stuttgart, and studies from other community churches of all denominations. To deepen her expertise, she has attended Perkins School of Youth Ministry and taken seminary courses.

Through the past 12 years, she has helped grow the Stuttgart youth program from three members to over 100, giving her time to mentor young people and volunteer in her community and making a difference in countless lives.

Lindsey Phillips

Financial Ministries

I am blessed to have an incredible God and a wonderful family.  Being an aunt is one of my greatest joys!  I have lived in Helena, AR, Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM, Houston, TX, Stuart, FL, and now Stuttgart, AR.  My precious nieces were the draw for both my parents and I to relocate to Stuttgart.  We are very blessed to have found such a wonderful, supportive, and loving church for our family.

Growing up in Helena, AR, we were very involved with our local church.  I always feel blessed when I remember singing with my Granny in the choir loft.  God's gift of music has been a huge blessing in my life.  Besides singing, I enjoy painting, reading, and playing with my nieces.  

I began my career with FMC in May 2022.  I bring over 20 years' experience in human resources, accounting, and business administration.  I am looking forward to using my gifts to help FMC accomplish its mission.

My favorite scripture is Proverbs 16:24. "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."  I strive to always speak with kindness and show God's love and grace in all my actions.

Elizabeth Alvarenga

Jacob's Ladder (WDCM) Director

I have been a member of First Church since I was 4 years old. Some of the most important events of my life have been at Stuttgart FMC. So many memories from VBS to acolyting to playing handbells. I was confirmed there I was 12, called to ministry at 17 at an alter call, had the privilege of being youth director for a year from 2009-2010. So grateful I now get to raise my children in the same loving, encouraging environment that taught me to love mission and service work.

I have been employed by Jacob's Ladder since 2015 and the director since 2017. Jacob's Ladder is FMC's Weekday Children's Ministry. We are open over 50 hours a week and can serve over 50 families. Our ministry is to provide a loving, fun, and safe home away from home for our 6 week old babies until Pre-K when they are ready for kindergarten..Our School Family provides Christian care by providing an excellent educational and exciting events throughout the year!