Rev. Sam Caldwell – Pastor

Sam graduated from University of North Texas in Choral Music and Voice in 1980 and SMU’s Perkins School of Theology in 1994. In 24 years, he has served four appointments (Paris Oak Park, Pottsboro, Duncanville Trinity, and First Bridgeport) in the North Texas Conference with the longest tenure being more than 11 years at Lakeway UMC in Pottsboro, near Lake Texoma.

During early years of full-time youth and children’s ministry, Sam led camps and retreats at Bridgeport Conference Center and The Prothro Center on Lake Texoma many times, directing one of the Conference Senior High Summer Camps for 10 seasons.

Sam and his wife Cathy have been married for over thirty years and have two daughters, Aubrey and Cameron. After being a full-time mom for the early years, Cathy spent 11 years in classrooms of Pottsboro Elementary School as aid for third grade teachers. While they were at Duncanville Trinity, she served as Catering Supervisor at the Cedar Hill Chick-fil-A.

Aubrey is an elementary music teacher in Mesquite ISD. Aubrey lives in Forney with her husband Nathan Presley and with their children Nathaniel and Caroline. Aubrey and Nathan both graduated from Texas A&M Commerce–Aubrey in Music Education and Nathan in Communications.

Cameron is married to Kyle Wright, and they both work in Allen. Kyle is in Computer Information Systems with State Farm, and Cammy is a preschool teacher trained in Early Childhood Intervention.

From Pastor Sam: “Already, it is a joy to be your pastor and I look forward to serving you and serving with you!”

Email: sam@fumccommerce.org

Mariann Andrews – Office Administrator

Mariann was born in Greenville, TX and has called it home for the past fifty years. She graduated from Greenville High School, and then traveled down the interstate fifteen miles to Commerce. She graduated from East Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mariann entered the world of banking and for the next twenty five years made that her career. She commuted to the Dallas area where she held the position of banking center manager. Mariann was excited to make a career change in 2002 to serve as office administrator for First United Methodist Church. One of her greatest joys is all the new friends she has made while at FUMC.

Mariann and her husband, Mack, another Hunt County native, enjoy time shared with their family. Their daughter Emily, son-in-law Michael, grandson Matthew, and granddaughter Claire also live in Greenville. They are discovering all the wonders of being grandparents. Their daughter Julia and granddaughter Ruthie live in Iowa, and they keep the phone lines busy.

Email: mariann@fumccommerce.org

Amy Stark – Children’s Director

Amy earned a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, her home state, in May 1999, and taught 5th grade for a few years. Since then she has worked with children as a school librarian in Michigan and an Americorps literacy tutor and afterschool mentor in California.

In 2008, Amy and her husband, Michael, packed up everything in their car and traveled the country for six months, tent camping in as many National Parks as possible. This trip turned out to be a retreat. It was a joy to be so close to God’s beautiful creation.

After settling in Wisconsin, Amy and Michael were blessed with two amazing sons, Tucker and Daniel. In the summer of 2013, shortly after Daniel’s birth, we moved to Commerce for Michael’s new job at TAMUC.

Amy also works part-time serving families and children at the Commerce Public Library and the Northeast Texas Children’s museum. I enjoy working with children and am honored to walk alongside them on their faith journey at FUMC.

Email: amy@fumccommerce.org

Jennifer Knight – Youth Director

Jennifer was born and raised in north Texas. She graduated from Prosper High school, took some time off, then graduated with a bachelors in education at the University of Mississippi. After a few years teaching, Jennifer decided to stay home home with her children. Once they were all in school, Jennifer began her work at Little Ark, where she is now the director.

Jennifer and her husband, Michael, along with their three children live in Commerce.

Email: fumccommerceyouth@gmail.com

Mandy Swinson – Youth Director

Email: fumccommerceyouth@gmail.com

Tyler Richardson – Choir Director

Email: tyler7r@live.com

Bonnie Smith – Communications Specialist

Bonnie was born and raised in northeast Texas. She moved to Commerce to attend Texas A & M University-Commerce in 2000. She attended FUMC Commerce’s Wednesday evening Blue Jean Church service as well as Sunday services. She graduated with her bachelors in Business Administration in the spring of 2002 and her masters in Business Administration in the fall of 2003. She married her longtime friend Mike Smith in 2004 and joined FUMC Commerce the same year. They live in Commerce with their sons, Brit and Zach, and dog, Batman. She

has also taught undergraduate marketing for A&M-Commerce as an adjunct instructor. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, listening to music, and watching TV. She also enjoys traveling and has been to the Bahamas, Cancun, Ireland, and various places in the States.

Email: communications@fumccommerce.org

Mary Lou Heatherly – Office Assistant

Dr. John Burkett – Church Organist

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, John Burkett began studying the piano and the organ at ages 6 and 9 respectively. Pre-college study with Harald Rohlig, Mark McGowin and Gene Jarvis led to further study at the baccalaureate, masters and doctoral levels at Florida State University, the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois.

After a year’s teaching experience in Nebraska at Kearney State College and the University of Nebraska, Dr. Burkett came to ETSU (now Texas A&M-Commerce) in 1972 where he teaches a wide variety of courses. He has played for Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches since the age of 13 and has served as organist to the First United Methodist Church of Commerce, Texas, since 1975.

As a composer, Dr. Burkett has written numerous hymn-based compositions for solo organ and solo piano, most of which remain unpublished. In 1995, however, he co-authored 101 Favorite Hymn Harmonizations for Keyboard, which was published by Abingdon Press of Nashville.