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Pastor Dan Baer

Dan Baer was born and raised near Pittsburgh, PA in the small town of Apollo.  He is fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Duke Blue Devils.  Dan has a Business Administration Degree from Campbell University, and a Masters of Theology from Duke Divinity School.  He enjoys fellowshipping with people, walking, bowling, singing, and spending time talking and listening with the Lord.  Dan has a heart for the "lost and the least of these".  Loving God and loving neighbors are important parts of his ministry.  He shares and lives a message of love to all of God’s children.  Dan is single and hopes to one day find the special woman who will share this message of love with others.  Until then, he will continue to serve and love God with all his heart, all his soul, all his mind, and all his strength.  Thanks be to God.


Michael Cowan


Michael Cowan is from Plymouth, NC.  He began taking formal music lessons at the age of 5 in Fayetteville, TN.  At age 14, he took his first job playing piano at his home church in Swansboro, NC.  He has accompanied school choirs and solo performers.  He is currently a student at The University of Mount Olive, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Sacred Music with a focus on the organ.  He has been at St. Luke UMC since September 2018.


Karen Pike


Karen Pike was born and raised in Duplin County, NC.  She has a degree in Sacred Music from The University of Mount Olive.  She enjoys spending time with loved ones, both family and friends.  Karen started working at St. Luke UMC in July 2018 and look forward to seeing how God will work through her and this church.

Sonja Emerson

Sonja Emerson is the Children’s Ministry Director of St. Luke United Methodist Church. She has been employed with the church for over 20 years. Ms. Sonja also works full time with Wayne County Public Schools as the Exceptional Children's Lead Administrator.  She has a background in Special Education and was a teacher of special needs children for 30 years prior to becoming an assistant principal and then a principal.  At St. Luke UMC, Ms. Sonja is responsible for coordinating programs and activities that support the spiritual development and growth of young children.  She believes her role as the Children's Ministry Director at the church is to tell and show that all children are created and loved by God.


Juliette Thompson


Juliette joined the staff at St. Luke United Methodist Church on October 1, 2014.  She grew up in Wilmington, and has two sons, Jerry and Jeff. After  moving around quite a bit,  she settled down in Goldsboro in 1966. She is dedicated to her church and has taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She is actively involved with the community through Town and Country Extension Club, where she is president and  has been for over 10 years. She currently lives in the Saulston area with her companion, 13 year old Toy Maltese, “Sweetie Pie”.

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Pastor Dan Baer

Dan Baer was born and raised near Pittsburgh, PA in the small town of Apollo.  He is fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Duke Blue Devils.  Dan has a Business Administration Degree from Campbell University, and a Masters of Theology from Duke Divinity School.  He enjoys fellowshipping with people, walking, bowling, singing, and spending time talking and listening with the Lord.  Dan has a heart for the "lost and the least of these".  Loving God and loving neighbors are important parts of his ministry.  He shares and lives a message of love to all of God’s children.  Dan is single and hopes to one day find the special woman who will share this message of love with others.  Until then, he will continue to serve and love God with all his heart, all his soul, all his mind, and all his strength.  Thanks be to God.


Michael Cowan


Michael Cowan is from Plymouth, NC.  He began taking formal music lessons at the age of 5 in Fayetteville, TN.  At age 14, he took his first job playing piano at his home church in Swansboro, NC.  He has accompanied school choirs and solo performers.  He is currently a student at The University of Mount Olive, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Sacred Music with a focus on the organ.  He has been at St. Luke UMC since September 2018.


Karen Pike


Karen Pike was born and raised in Duplin County, NC.  She has a degree in Sacred Music from The University of Mount Olive.  She enjoys spending time with loved ones, both family and friends.  Karen started working at St. Luke UMC in July 2018 and look forward to seeing how God will work through her and this church.

Sonja Emerson

Sonja Emerson is the Children’s Ministry Director of St. Luke United Methodist Church. She has been employed with the church for over 20 years. Ms. Sonja also works full time with Wayne County Public Schools as the Exceptional Children's Lead Administrator.  She has a background in Special Education and was a teacher of special needs children for 30 years prior to becoming an assistant principal and then a principal.  At St. Luke UMC, Ms. Sonja is responsible for coordinating programs and activities that support the spiritual development and growth of young children.  She believes her role as the Children's Ministry Director at the church is to tell and show that all children are created and loved by God.


Juliette Thompson


Juliette joined the staff at St. Luke United Methodist Church on October 1, 2014.  She grew up in Wilmington, and has two sons, Jerry and Jeff. After  moving around quite a bit,  she settled down in Goldsboro in 1966. She is dedicated to her church and has taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She is actively involved with the community through Town and Country Extension Club, where she is president and  has been for over 10 years. She currently lives in the Saulston area with her companion, 13 year old Toy Maltese, “Sweetie Pie”.