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 
Youth Leaders
youth@higgins-umc.com

​Jake & Jordan 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 two boys that keeps them very busy. They were both active in Higgins Youth group as teens, and are excited to be able to give back. 

​​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.

Debbie Phillips
Music Director
​dphillips@higgins-umc.com

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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. 

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 and their first grandson. On Sunday mornings, you'll see Charlie singing on the praise team.