Miles Baker Hunt
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 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 and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Global Ecumenical Theology.
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?
My favorite part of serving at WUMC is being surrounded by people who are genuinely eager to grow in their faith. Whether I’m teaching a class, leading worship, or engaging in conversation, I love walking alongside people wrestling with life’s big questions and discovering more deeply who God is calling them to be. It’s incredibly rewarding to see faith take root through thoughtful conversation, shared worship, and the life of the church. It’s a privilege to serve a congregation that values both learning and discipleship, and to be part of a community that is continually seeking to follow Christ more faithfully.
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.
