Cumberland Road

Elea Brown Forester is a Cumberland Presbyterian from Memphis, Tennessee. She is a history major at Maryville College and is discerning a call to ministry. She enjoys playing guitar, going on long walks, and laughing at inappropriate times.

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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Cynthia Paulk's Faith Journey
I was born in Jacksonville, Texas and raised in Texas and eastern New Mexico. My father’s work required that we relocate every couple of years so I learned independence and developed the ability to “start again.”

I was raised in Presbyterian churches across Texas and eastern New Mexico. I took catechism classes in New Mexico and joined the church in Junior High. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t “believe,” but my real walk of faith would begin much later in life.

I knew at a young age that I would be a teacher. I have a passion for music, and I was very blessed to use that passion as my career choice. I spent 32 years in the elementary classroom (with a brief stint as a junior high band director) teaching elementary music. It was truly a passion for me! Who could not love teaching music....singing, playing instruments, dancing...it was a joy. In 2010, I began to think that it might be time to move out of the classroom. (Age was making it hard to sit on the floor with the kids-and get back up without help, and dancing 8 hours a day was becoming difficult!). I had always wanted to pursue music therapy, so I thought that might be my next career path.   I Unfortunately, those doors did not open for me. My husband Joe, had always encouraged me to move into school administration. I decided to see if that path would open for me and in two weeks I was in graduate school. I graduated in 2011 with a Masters in Educational Leadership. The next few years would prove to be exciting and would stretch me in ways I never thought possible. Within 9 months of graduation, I became an assistant principal at my teaching campus, then an assistant to the new campus being built, to suddenly becoming the principal opening the new school. I mention this because these events and a situation that happened at the end of this career path is what brought me to my walk of faith.

I had always been a workaholic and continued that work ethic as an administrator. I was the first person at school every day and the last to leave. I worked 7 days a week. After 3 years in administration, I had a health issue that almost killed me. During my recovery, I discovered that a group of teachers had filed a complaint against me. It’s not unusual for an administrator to deal with formal complaints from teachers and parents, but several issues were at play that made this more serious. Much to my surprise, I was not allowed to dispute the claims, but was re-assigned. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. All I had worked I felt was destroyed along with my confidence. That’s when my life began to change in ways in which I will always be grateful.

I was never angry about the situation, but I was very hurt. I remember not sleeping and spending much of my time trying to find anything that would help me. I had a Jesus Calling book that had been a table decoration for years, but that and my Bible became my constant companions. It didn’t happen over night, but God began to help me heal. I put YouVersion on my phone so I would never be without God’s word. I also began to listen to Christian music. I believe God talks to me through music, and there were so many songs that showed me His love and that He had a plan for me even through the pain. I began to feel the Holy Spirit like I had never felt it before. I also began to “listen” to God and let Him guide me instead of trying to guide myself.

I’m blessed to have a wonderful husband and he has always been my biggest cheerleader. He too was devastated when this happened and very angry for me. But....through our pain we came to our walk of faith together. What a blessing!

I was re-assigned in mid June, and by August we were talking about joining a church. God led us to First Cumberland and it was there that we found our forever church family.  We joined in September with a commitment to serve in any way that God wanted us to. We have been blessed with many spiritual mentors as we continue our walk with Jesus.

Walking with Jesus didn’t change what others outwardly see about me. I have always tried to be a kind person, and the personality is still the same....but the emphasis on what is important has changed. I now realize what is truly important and I try to live that every day. When I talk to others about Jesus I usually work this phrase into the conversation, “If you only knew.” If you only knew how a relationship with Jesus will change your heart and your life, you would jump at the chance to walk with Him. It doesn’t mean that you won’t still have trials, but your ability to deal with these trials will change. I have sometimes wondered how different my life would have looked had I walked with Jesus earlier, but I truly believe that God’s timing for me is exactly as it happened.

My church ministry

I love all aspects of church life and serving. The passion that I had for education is now my passion for Jesus. I am excited for every ministry at church from our annual pumpkin patch, to the savvy summit of free community workshops, to potlucks-game nights-Bible studies, and all that we have done and will do as a church. We were blessed when after a year without a pastor, God sent us Pastor Nate Mathews and his lovely wife Anna. It’s exciting to see where God will lead us. Even in the midst of the current pandemic, we are still serving and worshipping together as a family...although we are doing it virtually!

Aspirations

I look forward to the ways in which God will continue to lead me. I love doing textile arts like sewing and crocheting and I have been able to use those skills for the kingdom. I was so glad that I could sew when the pandemic hit in March! Who would have thought that mask making would be needed? I have also been able to use my passion for music as I play the piano during worship. If you allow Him to, God will use your gifts where He needs them. I feel happiest when I am serving...and I look for ways for God to use me.

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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Jeff DeWees is a jack of all trades… master of none… or at least he’d like to think that of himself.  Jeff was born into a Christian family who loved Jesus, but did not do life perfectly… a trait which Jeff continues on today.  He was raised in Lyles, a small town in Hickman County, Tennessee.  Jeff used to like to boast of being from the county that held the record in Tennessee for the most number of miles of dirt roads.  During his high school years, while attending Synodic Camp at Camp Crystal Springs, Jeff felt called to ministry.  However, he also found a love for science.  He eventually pursued a degree in Chemical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University.  It was here that he met and fell in love with the woman who would eventually become his wife, Stacy.  After receiving his Bachelors of Science in Engineering, Jeff went to work for the environmental engineering consulting firm with which he had engaged in a cooperative learning opportunity.  During his tenure at EnSafe, he felt the call to ministry return.

In 2008, with the approval of the Nashville presbytery, Jeff submitted to ministry.  He began seminary education and full-time ministry work in 2009.  His first pastorate was at Mt. Vernon in Ramer, Tennessee.  Jeff graduated from seminary in 2013 and continued to serve the Mt. Vernon Cumberland Presbyterian Church for another 2 years.

Jeff and his family now serve the Beech Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee.  It is the first church family that Jeff remembers having an epic snowball fight after service.

Jeff has been married to his much better half, Stacy, for almost 17 years.  They have twins, Annabelle and Andrew, who are 15, and are according to Jeff, “impressively amazing individuals!”

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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Laura Reed resides in the Tampa Bay area in Florida and is originally from the Northeast. She attended the University of Tampa where she received a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Business and Spanish and she received her MBA from St. Leo University. She is currently a student in the Program of Alternate Studies program and hopes to work towards her Master of Divinity in the future. Laura works in management at T-Mobile and has a 16 year-old son named Alexander. Laura rarely has free time but when she does she likes to travel, spend time with her son, spend time with family and friends, watch airplanes take off and land, and read about history.

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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Logan Dixon is a Program of Alternate Studies student under the care of Arkansas Presbytery working towards his ordination in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  He serves the Mars Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pottsville, Arkansas as their stated supply.  Logan hosts his own podcast called The Monday Morning Megaphone.  He is also a writer for the adult bible study, The Encounter, and a regular writer for the Late Night Theology blog/website. Logan is married to his best friend, Brittany.

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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Rev. Mitch Boulton surrendered to the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in 2002.  He graduated from Bethel College in 2008 and Memphis Theological Seminary in 2011.  Currently, Mitch is continuing his education with a Doctorate of Ministry at Knox Seminary.  Having served congregations in Kentucky and Tennessee, Mitch currently serves the Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Tennessee.  He has been married for 30 years to Ronda, enjoys spending lots of time with their grandchild, fishing and the outdoors.

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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​Rev. Dr. Milton L. Ortiz is the Team Leader of the Missions Ministry Team in the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination. He is a graduate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts and has served as bi-vocational pastor for more than 25 years.  He is originally from Colombia, South America, but has lived in the United States for almost 30 years. Rev. Ortiz is married to Francia Ortiz and lives in Cordova, Tennessee. They have two adult children: Helena and Jacob. 

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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Maddie Taylor is a student at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee studying degrees in both Political Science and Sociology.  Originally from Memphis, she considers McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Colonial Cumberland Presbyterian Church her two home churches.  She has grown up Cumberland Presbyterian and was baptized at the age of two.  Her faith really grew out of attending Camp Clark Williamson from the ages of 7 to 17.  During her high school years, she served on the Youth Planning Council as well as an "all around" intern at the Cumberland Presbyterian headquarters during her senior year.  Currently, she serves as the Education and Communications Intern for the Coalition for Appalachian Ministries (CAM).  In this role, she researches and writes newsletters for CAM as well as manage the social media accounts.  She says, "I am the first to ever hold this position and am excited to expand its role and see what impact it can have on CAM and the greater Appalachian community."

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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Rhonda McGowan’s Faith Journey

Part 1 Salvation Story

My Faith journey begins when my uncle Steve invited me to go to church with him and Vickie.  I can not remember when this was but I went with them.  The church and people treated me very kind however, I did not feel it was for me.  A few Sundays later I decided to start visiting Mt. Calvary Missionary Church in Crossroads TN.  I went for some time sitting in the very back row with Ms. Waters, Linda and Gordon Miller.   Once Sunday I was moved by the Lord to get Saved.  I held onto that church pew like it was a life preserver, not realizing at that time that the Lord Jesus was my life preserver. I don’t remember stepping out into the ile or even the walk to the alter but I got there by the grace of God.  When I got to the front of the church Rev. Johnny Jones ask me if I knew Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I said no and he said do you want to and I said yes.  He prayed with me and I received Jesus into my heart and Life.  This was the single most amazing day in my life.   I was baptized the following Wed. night.
 Life and Ministry 

The Lord blessed me with two amazing people who raised me and made me the woman I am today.  They were J.C. Miller (papa) and Erma Jean Miller (granny).  They took time to take me and Jimmy in and raise us when they should have been getting ready to retire.  They were two of the most influential people in my life then and now. A few years after I was saved my papa had a light stroke and my grandmother was not in good health during this time I quit going to church.   I said it was to help them but in truth I was upset with them being sick.  Over the year’s granny got worse and ended up being bedridden an this hit me pretty hard.   There were many health issues during these years, however, I did return to church Red Hill.  My grandfather had another bad stroke and developed stage 4 lung cancer and passed way in 2004.  My granny’s health deuterated and she passed away form complications of copd.  This was a very trying time for me but I held on to Jesus and He got me through the loss of Granny and Papa.

After I was saved the Lord began to work on me and change my life one day at a time.   The thing He wanted to work on the most was my relationship with my mom.   We had been estranged for over fifteen years.   God was asking me to forgive my mom and I was not ready to do that.   So I said ok and wrote her a letter telling her I forgave her.  In this letter I told her I forgave her but not to call me, write me or come see me.   So I had not forgiven her and was just trying to do what I thought would work but of course it did not.   God continued to work on me and deal with my hatred and unforgiveness until I finally gave in and let Him lead.  Mom and I reconnected, and it took time but we build a relationship that I am so thankful for.   God also helped me to get closer with my dad and build our relationship for the better. 

The next faith step was my marriage to Rev. Kriss McGowan.   We began dating just after thanksgiving 2007.  As our relationship developed, he ask me to go to church with him at this time I was attending Red Hill Community Church.   He was a candidate for the ministry and was serving at Cedar Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church and South Pittsburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  At the time he ask me I knew he was preaching at two churches and also visited Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  However, I did not realize the energy it took to go to three services a day.  I was really tired and needed five-hour energy to make it through for a while.   Kriss proposed to me on the way across Suck Creek Mountain and ask me a question that question was are you ready for the ride.  I said yes and we now serve God together every day.  I continue to enjoy the ride with the Lord and Kriss.   We have been serving together for twelve years now and I look forward to each new chapter in our ride together.  

Part 2 My Call and Part 3 My education 

I was called into the ministry while going to the Program of alternat studies as a visitor with Kriss.   I sat in every class with him his last year of preparation.   He said you should do the homework I said no I am not going to be a preacher.  He said ok whatever you say.  He knows me to well.    I should have listened because the next year I started the PAS program after being accepted as a candidate for ministry in the Tennessee-Georgia Presbytery.   I then returned to college at Miller-Motte to get my associates degree I graduated and was ready to begin the next step and the was PAS.  .It took me three years to get through the classes and prepare for ordination.  

Part 4 My ordination 

I was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament on February 2,2013 at the South Pittburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  It was snowing and laying so we were not sure if people would or could come.  But they did the committee that was set up make it even Ms. Pat Vernell came through the snow.  I have both family and church family surrounding me during this wonderful day.  My CPC Family made this day special by being there in so many ways for me  Marlynn Blevins,  played the piano,  Kathy McGowan sang ,Jane Lattimore  for reading the Word of the Lord, Mark Rackly for bringing our message, Kriss McGowan for conducting the service and giving me my,  Philip Layne for asking the questions Lamar Jackson for Prayer , Jane Latimore, George Holland, Deloris Rogers, and Sarah Way for helping with communion and everyone for coming and participating in glorious time..

Part 5 My ministries 

While I was going through PAS. I began a weekly Bible Study along with the help of Lola Carter at the Bridge Nursing home which I call the Sunshine Gang.  I absolutely love working with the elderly.  They have so much to give and share with us.  One of these days we will look up and we will be the elderly person that can share.  I also participate in a yearly revival at Silverdale now Corcentric prison.  Glen Turner ask me to help a few years back and I absolutely love reaching out to the prisoners.  Yes, they have made mistakes some more costly than others but every person deserves to know who Jesus Christ is and have the opportunity to accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  I also served as Volunteer Chaplain at Bledsoe Prison.  I entered data and canceled  for over a year learning a lot from both Chaplains and inmates.  The other ministry that I have is Ladies of the Valley in which Marty Layne helped get started.  We usually meet once a month but have not met lately due to Covet 19.  But we get together have a devotion and reach out to our communities,  we have helped kids with camp,  the homeless with goodie bags,  Christmas and food for families and kids in need and we give Christmas Cards to three different nursing homes and two prisons each year.    The next big step God took me through was The Pikeville Cumberland Presbyterial New Church Development that was started by The Tennessee-Georgia Presbytery to reach out to the Pikeville, TN community.  Tim Rapson was the original plant started unfortunately time became ill and passed away.  This is when Phillip Layne ask me to consider becoming the Church planter.  I was hesitant but I did become the planter.  This is a journey with God and the committee that was heading it up.  We fin...

Rev. Dr. David Lancaster is the Professor of Christian Studies at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee.  He earned a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and began his first pastorate in West Paducah, Kentucky.  Later, he relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee serving the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church over the next 19 years.  For 12 years, the Knoxville congregation sponsored a daily radio ministry which David produced called Family Matters airing on a local Christian radio station.  In 2008, David received a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Graduate Theological Foundation.  In September of 2010, the Sharon Cumberland Presbyterian Church honored him by naming as their supply pastor.

David has served on several denominational boards and is a long time instructor for the Program of Alternate Studies (PAS) and in 2017, he was elected as the General Assembly moderator of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

For over 20 years, David has studied the subject of leadership.  He wrote a monthly column, Leading Matters, for the Cumberland Presbyterian magazine.  He has also developed two outreach/service programs at Bethel University.  One being The Bethel Center for Creating Leadership and the other Certificate in Christian Studies. 

Music is provided by Punk Rock Opera, I Wanna to be a Machine.  
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