Our Staff

Meet the wonderful people who serve First United Methodist Church in the

many ministries that we share with our congregation and the Magnolia Community!

  • Reverend Gary Maskell, Pastor

    EMAIL: gary.maskell@arumc.org

    PHONE:

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2019

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE:  "And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Romans 8:28

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: Jesus

    FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza

    HOBBIES: Reading, Video Games & Music!

    AN INTERESTING/UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME IS:  I once made marshmallows from "scratch" using an old Betty Crocker Cookbook recipe! (My advice: It's too costly and way too much trouble! Just buy a package at the store!)

  • Shelly Burgess, Director of Children and Families Ministries

    EMAIL: shellyb@magnoliafumc.org

    PHONE: 870-949-1818

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2017

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: "Be still, and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: Peter

    FAVORITE FOOD: Chocolate

    HOBBIES: Genealogy

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I am a licensed contractor in the state of Arkansas. I also love essential oils!

  • Elizabeth "Liz" Wilson, Director of Youth Ministries

    EMAIL: liz@magnoliafumc.org

    PHONE: 870-234-4530

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2022

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." 1 Peter 4:10

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: Deborah

    FAVORITE FOOD: Anything chicken!

    HOBBIES: Digital and traditional character art, video games, playing and listening to wind ensemble music

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I was a barista at Starbucks and I love to experiment with different espresso and coffee drinks at home!

  • Kim Shirey, Director of Music

    EMAIL: klshirey@att.net

    PHONE: 870-904-3546

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2003

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: Psalm 91:4 "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge."

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: Paul

    FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza

    HOBBIES: Working in the yard

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: My father and my son have the same birthday.

  • Sharon Ard, Organist


  • Tracie Nipper, Administrative Secretary

    EMAIL: tracie@magnoliafumc.org

    PHONE: 870-234-4530 ext. 101

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2004

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: Noah

    FAVORITE FOOD: Junk food!

    HOBBIES: Cooking, walking, spending time with family and especially my grandson

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I enjoyed English Smocking when the girls where little. I even taught classes on it!

  • Amanda Franks, Business Manager

    EMAIL: amanda@magnoliafumc.org

    PHONE: 870-234-4530 ext. 105

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2011

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: David

    FAVORITE FOOD: Mexican

    HOBBIES: Volunteer work

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I lived on the island of St. Croix for 10 months.

  • Shawn "Skippy" Warlick, Assistant Building Superintendent


  • Kenneth Manning, Custodian

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2006

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: Psalm 100 "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: Job

    FAVORITE FOOD: Meat Loaf

    HOBBIES: Dancing

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I was a running back on the football team in high school.

  • Barbra Lewis, Director of The Caring Place

    EMAIL: barbarafumc@sbcglobal.net

    PHONE: 870-949-5088

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2008

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: Philipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: King David

    FAVORITE FOOD: Chocolate

    HOBBIES: Music and golf

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I am the second of 4 generations currently members of First United Methodist Church.

  • Libby Gilbert, Stewpot Cook

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2002

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: Apostle Paul

    FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken, greens, pork, and sweets

    HOBBIES: Reading, watching t.v., crossword puzzles

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I love to play jokes on my husband, George!

  • George Gilbert, Stewpot Cook

    ON STAFF SINCE: 2012

    FAVORITE SCRIPTURE: I Kings 3:5-15 "So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."

    FAVORITE PERSON FROM THE BIBLE: King Solomon

    FAVORITE FOOD: Pork ribs

    HOBBIES: Carpentry, bass guitar, and gardening

    AN UNKNOWN/INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ME IS: I am actually a better cook than my wife Elizabeth.