Meet Our Staff

John W. Fowler
Lead Pastor
jfowler@higgins-umc.com

Dr. John Fowler began his pastoral journey with Higgins in July 2017. Originally from Charlotte, NC, John earned a Bachelor of Science from UNC Chapel Hill (go Heels!) and a Masters of Divinity from Emory University.

John has served in the United Methodist Church since 1981. Most recently at First Methodist of Morganton, where he and his wife, Liz, served for five years. We’re very eager to see what Jesus will do through their ministry. His passion for teaching God's word and discipleship of others is evident not only in his sermons, but in conversation.

Pastor John can be reached at the Higgins office by dialing 828-682-2835 or at his home number 828-536-0244.

Jake & Jordan Honeycutt and Mitch Rote
Youth Leaders
youth@higgins-umc.com

​Jake & Jordan and Mitch bring with them diverse skills, knowledge, and personalities. They have a desire to foster in the youth of this generation a consuming, passionate heart for God.  

Jake and Jordan are high school sweethearts who married in 2011. They have a toddler who keeps them very busy, and one on the way. They were both active in Higgins Youth group as teens, and are excited to be able to give back. You can catch Jake on the drums during our 8:30 Sunday Service with the Praise Team.

​Mitch and his wife, Sarah, have four children - high school, middle school, elementary, and toddler. When he's not spending time with his beautiful family, or schooling the youth on the love and forgiveness of Jesus, Mitch and his handlebar mustache can be found at Starbucks.

​Check out our Youth Page for more information!! Like our Facebook page and sign up to receive our text alerts through Remind. 

Kim Garland
Children's Ministry
kgarland@higgins-umc.com

Kim joined the Higgins staff in August 2010. She feels extremely blessed to be able to teach God’s Word to children, As a child, Kim would make up stories to go with the pictures in the big family Bible. When she came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the age of 27, God’s Word came alive for her. It was then that God’s Word and His Holy Spirit transformed her life. She reads every word as the absolute truth. Not raised in church herself makes Kim passionate about teaching children so that they can become followers of Jesus and be guided by His Word and His Spirit their entire lives.

Prayer is Kim's second passion. She loves to speak to God and listen to God and to teach adults and children how to do the same.

Kim and her husband, Randall, are the parents of four wonderful boys, two who are grown and two who are still keeping them very busy (one with special needs). When Kim has the time, she likes to relax by watching movies and making jewelry. Running 3 ½ miles a day with her best friend and sister-in-Christ keeps her fit and sane.

Andrea Bailey
Music Director
​abailey@higgins-umc.com

Andrea joined Higgins in June 2015. Passionate about music and Jesus, she enjoys being able to combine the two. Andrea develops and leads the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir. She also assists our Praise Team and helps plan our special services.

Andrea grew up in Burnsville, where her music education was shaped by some very gifted local educators. For as long as she can remember, music has been a part of her life, and she has been blessed because of it. She started singing in church at the age of 3. She is grateful for a church experience that allowed her to do so. She has seen music bring people together, and strengthen the bonds of community. For her, music is community, and there is little separation of the two. Her belief is that music enhances worship and draws people into communion with the Spirit. 

Her interests and experiences with music are varied and include using music in medical work, theater, community service and congregational settings. Professionally and personally, she enjoys a wide range of genres including musical theater, classical, pop, jazz, folk, gospel and sacred, to name a few. Andrea holds a BA in Music from Mars Hill University. She continues to sing in a professional choir called the Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, and also performs in a ladies trio called the Belle Tones.

Andrea loves working with the folks at Higgins, and feels that it’s a great place to give and grow. She cherishes the opportunity to worship with us every Sunday!

Brian Turner
Pianist/Organist
brianturnerpiano@yahoo.com

Brian Turner is an internationally-acclaimed pianist, composer, and recording artist, whose diverse repertoire has earned him the opportunity to share the stage with a wide array of well-known and accomplished musicians. 

Brian began playing the piano over 25 years ago, and by age 12 was performing professionally for audiences across Northeast Ohio. Following high school, he attended Ohio University, studying with renowned pianist Richard Syracuse and earning degrees in piano performance and pedagogy. He performed with a variety of groups at the collegiate level, from accompanying other classical musicians to joining larger ensembles to forming popular local rock groups headlining in clubs. After college, Brian relocated to Asheville, NC, where he has established a thriving piano studio in West Asheville and performs regularly as a solo musician and as a member and bandleader of Orange Krush, as well as with other local bands and ensembles. 

For more information on Brian, please visit his website:
http://www.brianturnerpiano.com/

Dorene Branton
Office Administrator
dbranton@higgins-umc.com
Dorene began working here in June 2018.  She is the financial and administrative secretary. We are pleased to announce that Dorene Branton is our new Administrative Assistant/ Financial Secretary for Higgins Memorial UMC. Dorene lives here in Burnsville with her husband Marty and sons Dawson, Jalen & Stepson Cody. She is a graduate of Watauga High School and has worked for Harris - Teeter and as a Paralegal for a law firm and as an independent Paralegal/ title examiner. . Most recently she has worked as the secretary for West Burnsville Baptist Church and as secretary for Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. 

Kathy Williams
Communications Coordinator
kwilliams@higgins-umc.com

Kathy began working part-time at Higgins in March 2015. She prepares the bulletins for both worship services, the monthly newsletter, and sends out notifications to the church family via phone and email. Kathy also assists our Music Director, Andrea Bailey

After retiring from the State of SC in July 2013, Kathy moved to Burnsville with her husband, Bob, to retire. She and Bob have two grown daughters and six grand-children (whom they spoil as much as possible).

Charlie Willis
Facilities Manager
cwillis@higgins-umc.com

Charlie joined the Higgins team in 2006. As the facilities manager, he is responsible for the maintenance of the building and the setup of church activities. In other words, he keeps things running around here!

In his spare time, Charlie enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and their daughter, Emilee. On Sunday mornings, you'll see Charlie singing on the praise team. 

Teri Darnall, RN
Faith Community Nurse
tdarnall@higgins-umc.com or 828-208-1904

Nurse Teri Darnall began her ministry at Higgins in February 2014. As the Faith Community Nurse, she provides intentional ministering to the spiritual, physical, mental, and social health of individuals, families, and the community.

Her ministry goes beyond the walls of Higgins Memorial and she is available to all individuals in Yancey County.  Teri's services are free, to remove any barriers to those who need nursing services. While she does not offer direct nursing care (give medications, change dressings), she does offer assessments for referrals to various medical and social services, health education, health promotion, counselling, and support groups. Teri welcomes the assistance of anyone who wishes to assist in the health ministry. Matthew 25:40 says it best, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’“  
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Teri and her husband, Russ, are blessed with three grown children and a granddaughter. They love to hike around their mountain home and are voracious readers.