ASSOCIATE PASTOR

When did you join the staff and what is your position?
I was appointed to Wrightsville UMC in July of 2025 by Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton to serve as
Associate Pastor.

Where did you go to school?
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. I
continued my theological education as a Fellow at Duke University Divinity School where I earned my
Master of Divinity degree, along with certificates in Worship Studies and Wesleyan and Methodist
Studies. During my time at Duke, I served field education appointments at a large, suburban Methodist
parish in Johannesburg, South Africa, and as a chaplain at WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh,
NC. I have also served as a pastoral intern at several United Methodist churches in the Raleigh area and
currently serve as the Conference United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Coordinator.
Following my studies at Duke, I was selected by the United Methodist Council of Bishops to represent the
denomination at Bossey Ecumenical Institute at the University of Geneva in Switzerland as a
postgraduate student, where I earned my Certificat Complémentaire in Ecumenical Studies.

Do you have family?
I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. My parents still live in Raleigh and are both retired. My father taught
arts education in the public school system and my mother also worked in the school system at central
office, as well as in small business. Though I’m an only child, I'm so grateful for chosen family all over the
world, including two amazing nieces in South Africa. Being “Uncle Miles” is one of the greatest joys of my
life!

When did you decide to be a pastor?
While I am a cradle United Methodist, during High School I moved full steam ahead to become an
attorney and a diplomat, chasing my ultimate goal of becoming the United States Secretary of State.
Needless to say, God had different plans for my life. Rather than negotiating bilateral foreign trade
agreements, God nudged me not towards becoming the top US diplomat, but rather an Ambassador for
Christ (2 Cor 5:20). I felt these “nudges” as I call them, most vividly while at summer camp with my church
at Lake Junaluska, NC. These nudges amplified and came to a head while I was serving as a short-term
missionary in El Salvador. Returning home, I continued exploring and discerning the calling which God
had placed on my life, and continued to become more involved in the life of the local church. While I
initially thought I would become an international missionary, I found a deep love for the local church,
coming to realize the deep importance of then connecting our local communities to the world, being
transformed by the sacraments and liturgy to serve Christ in the world.

What is your favorite part of being a pastor at WUMC?
When the Bishop and my District Superintendent asked me what kind of appointment I felt God nudging
me towards, I responded that I was called to serve a community that is liturgical and serves the world. In
fact, our liturgy shapes us for service in the world, connecting what John Wesley called our works of piety
(our love for God) and our works of mercy (our service in the world). I see this play out each day at
WUMC, and I spend my days with lovely individuals engaging this service. At WUMC, we continue to build upon the mission and ministry of Christ, and being able to be a part of such ministry each day is a
highlight of my life!

 

What do you like to do in your free time?
If I’m not at church, there’s a good chance I’m chasing my next passport stamp—I’ve got a Miles’ long
travel bucket list and every intention of checking off every country (the less known, the better)! When I’m
stateside, I love trying new restaurants, taking long walks, catching the latest action movie, or getting lost
in a great book — probably a mystery novel or a deep dive into African history and politics.