Meet the team.
The Reverend Dr. David Joyner
Senior Pastor
The Reverend Laura Goldenbaum - Yang
Associate Pastor
David is a lifelong native of Eastern North Carolina and has joyfully served congregations in the Heritage District since beginning his ministry in 2013. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and he later completed both his Master of Divinity (2017) and Doctor of Ministry (2023) degrees at Duke University.
While at Duke, David was selected as a Duke Endowment Thriving Rural Fellow, deepening his understanding of and commitment to rural congregations' unique strengths. He also completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education through an internship at Duke University Hospital, an experience that shaped his pastoral identity and sharpened his gifts for compassionate, intentional care. David’s passion for the rural church runs deep—it was there that he first heard and answered God’s call into ministry.
David is committed to helping churches grow in spiritual depth, scriptural engagement, and community-focused mission. His ministry is centered on cultivating healthy congregations, supporting clergy, and strengthening the connectional life of the church.
David and his wife, Anna, are the proud parents of two daughters, Mary Alice and Elizabeth Mae, who delightfully keep them on their toes. David also serves as the District Superintendent for the Heritage District of the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, providing pastoral, administrative, and missional leadership to the district's churches and clergy.
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Llewellyn Edmonson
Secretary
Born and raised in Rocky Mount, Llewellyn Edmonson is a proud graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High School (Class of 1971). She continued her education at East Carolina University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Education in 1975. Llewellyn enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a Career & Technical Education teacher before retiring.
In June 2011, Llewellyn joined the staff of First United Methodist Church as Church Secretary, where she continues to serve with kindness, competence, and a deep love for the congregation.
Llewellyn is the mother of two daughters, Kelley Tyndall (Chris) and Ashley Van Liere (Daniel). She is also a proud grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren—Darcy and Ayden Tyndall, and Stella and Thatcher Van Liere.
A member of Englewood United Methodist Church, Llewellyn enjoys beach trips to Salter Path, reading, traveling with her daughters, and sharing meals with family and friends. She often says she is blessed to have two church families—her home church and the church she serves.
In June 2011, Llewellyn joined the staff of First United Methodist Church as Church Secretary, where she continues to serve with kindness, competence, and a deep love for the congregation.
Llewellyn is the mother of two daughters, Kelley Tyndall (Chris) and Ashley Van Liere (Daniel). She is also a proud grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren—Darcy and Ayden Tyndall, and Stella and Thatcher Van Liere.
A member of Englewood United Methodist Church, Llewellyn enjoys beach trips to Salter Path, reading, traveling with her daughters, and sharing meals with family and friends. She often says she is blessed to have two church families—her home church and the church she serves.
Charlie Harrell
Finance Administrator
