Meet Our Staff

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MEET OUR STAFF

You can email any staff member below by clicking on their respective photograph. If you need a support staff email address you can click here to access it via a PDF file.

Brian Taylor, Senior Pastor
Significant Others: Wife, Patricia; daughters Brittany (22), Carrie (14); son Zachary (20)
How I relax and have fun: golf and fish
Favorite music: Jazz
Favorite food or restaurant: Italian, or southern bar-b-que; pineapple upside down cake
Ideal vacation: Fish in the morning and golf in the afternoon
Biblical character I most identify with: Peter
What I like best about Munsey: commitment to missions; diversity and openness to people of all walks of life.

Nancy Ellen Eastridge, Executive Pastor
Significant others:   My husband is Michael Andrew Eastridge. Mike works as an attorney at Hunter Smith and Davis here in the Tri-Cities. His passion in life is to make peace in the world. My daughter, Hannah, is a student at ETSU where she loves her English major. My son, Ben, is a student at Science Hill High School and he can be found participating in all the Munsey Youth activities.
How I relax and have fun: I love to read and I love to travel.   Picnics are high on my list as well.
Favorite music: Vivaldi
Favorite food or restaurant: My favorite restaurant is in Atlanta, Rosa Mexicana.
Ideal vacation: I love to travel to Europe and hope my next trip will be to Scotland.
Biblical character I most identify with: I love the Apostle Paul, despite his controversial stands, he is “sold out” to the Crucified Christ and I want his boldness.
What I like best about Munsey: The PEOPLE! What a blessing to serve with people who love the Lord and who are committed to loving their neighbors.
The Usual Stuff: I went to school – too much. I practiced health care law before going to seminary and like to say that I have been delivered from law to grace. My Master of Divinity degree is from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and I love my alma mater.   I came to Munsey in June 2007.

Doug Grove-DeJarnett, Minister of Music and Congregational Life
Significant others: wife, Susan (teaches music in the Munsey Pre-school/Kindergarten); Daughters: Hannah, resides in Washington, DC and Gretchen, who resides in Charleston, WV.

How I relax and have fun: walking, love baseball and football, movies.
Favorite music: from the classics to country western.
Favorite food or restaurant: I love Italian food, but there is nothing better than a good bowl of chocolate ice cream!
Ideal vacation: The beach or visiting Wales and Ireland
Biblical character I most identify with: David, the singer of psalms, and Barnabas, a helper
What I like best about Munsey: the rich tradition and the talented people
The Usual Stuff: native of Marietta, GA. Graduate of Western Carolina University, with seminary training at the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. I come from a family of musicians – father was a church musician, mother a pianist; three brothers, all of whom have musical backgrounds.

Michael Lester, Minister of Congregational Care and Counseling
Significant others: Nancy (the love of my life!); grandson Evan William James; daughter Laura and son-in-law John James; son, Torrey; step-daughters Allison and Ashley.

How I relax and have fun: work in the yard; home repair projects; walk; day trips with my wife; read murder mysteries (Stuart Woods & James Patterson); rocking chair on the front porch.
Favorite music: Blues and jazz.
Favorite food or restaurant: A heart healthy diet
Ideal vacation: every year at Hilton Head Island; New York City
What I like best about Munsey: loving and affirming people
The Usual Stuff: grew up in Johnson City; former Baptist minister; theological education from Southern Seminary, Louisville, and Dallas Seminary; Board Certified Pastoral Counselor; have been on staff at Munsey since 2005.

Christina DowlingSoka, Minister of Children's Discipleship
Significant others: Joe-d, spouse; Ryan (age 19); Joel (age 23); Calico Kitty, Miracle Kitty and Kitty Kitty
How I relax and have fun: Travel, reading, playing games like “Pass the Pigs” with family
Favorite music: VBS Children’s songs!
Favorite food or restaurant: Mint chocolate chip ice cream
Ideal vacation: Sitting on the beach, listening to the waves and letting the wind blow the tiredness away
Biblical character I most identify with: Mary, Mary and Martha
What I like best about Munsey: Children! Joyful worship! Mission! Fun!
The Usual Stuff: I have the great joy of being the Minister of Children’s Discipleship here at Munsey. Came to Munsey two years ago after directing Buffalo Mountain Camp for 14 years. Prior to that I co-pastored churches in Iowa, Ohio and England along with my husband Joe-d who is also a United Methodist Pastor. Graduated with B.A. in religion from Florida Southern College and M.Div from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Elder in Holston Conference.

Priscilla Estes Sarvadi, Director of Singles and Christian Life Center

Significant Others: I have an absolutely wonderful daughter, Brittany, who is a registered dietitian and lives in Jonesborough.
How I relax and have fun: Being in the great out-of-doors is delightful—mowing, gardening, hiking; FUN is dancing—ballroom, line, Texas 2-steppin’.
Favorite Music: A Welsh artist, NIA—her perky pop gospel and praise-orientated ballads.
Favorite Food or Restaurant: The down-home cookin’ of the Ole Farmhouse Restaurant/Greenville; beef (Sauerbraten), potato dumpling, and red cabbage at Gasthaus Edelweiss in Weber City, Va.
Ideal Vacation: Anywhere I can be outdoors, gardening, hiking or biking!
Biblical Character I most identify with: For sure in name, Priscilla and Priscilla…a “stick to it” attitude. “Called”, and committed to the call.
What I like best about Munsey: The multiple opportunities to be involved in missions locally and globally. The diversity of programming for all ages of Munsey members as well as the greater community.
The usual stuff: I grew up in the local rural community of Washington College, living in same home till completion of my undergraduate and graduate degrees at ETSU. I was on the faculty of ETSU for twenty-four years, teaching dance (contemporary & ballroom), and multiple other courses in the Department of Physical Education. Continuing to teach, I came on staff at Munsey in 1989.

Beth Witt, Director of Worship Arts in Journey and Melting Pot

Significant others: I am married to Rick who works at Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, We have a son, Robert, who is a student at Clemson University where he is majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in music, and a daughter, Rachel, who is a student at Emory and Henry College majoring in Religion and a wild dog, Snickers.
How I relax and have fun: Reading, taking long walks, playing in my flower garden, watching old movies, and spending time with my family.
Favorite music: I love all kinds of music, particularly Contemporary Christian music
Favorite food or restaurant: Ice Cream
Ideal vacation: Trips with my family
Biblical character I most identify with: Barnabas, the encourager, because I enjoy encouraging others
What I like best about Munsey: The way people at Munsey accept others from all walks of life, just they way they are, and help them find a place in ministry at Munsey.

The Usual Stuff: I was born in Johnson City, grew up in Kingsport and lived my middle school and high school years in New Jersey. I graduated from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina with a degree in Music Education and have worked in church music for over 25 years. I have been on staff at Munsey since 2003.

Leanna Baldwin, Director of Children's Music

Significant others: Husband, Steve; Son/Daughter-in-law, Josh and Molly; Daughter, Rachael; 1 dog/Boxer, Lucy; 1 cat/Gray Tabby , B.P.

How I relax and have fun: Walk, Exercise, Read, Spend time with family and friends

Favorite music: the “classics” especially, Bach, Mozart, Verdi and Poulanc; Celtic, especially Clan and Drummagh; West African traditional

Favorite food and/or restaurant: Steak, shrimp (surf and turf); Jestine’s in Charleston, SC

Ideal vacation: a week at the beach, especially Charleston, SC and a week in the mountains at Pipestem State Park, West VA

Biblical character I most identify with: David---He danced, he sang and he played his praises to God.

What I like best about Munsey: The CHILDREN and being given the opportunity to sing, play and dance with them.

The usual stuff: Native of East Tennessee (born/Kingsport, live/Johnson City); BSME from ETSU; Elementary Education endorsement from Milligan; Orff-Schulwerk Certification Levels I, II and III from Western Carolina University; World Music Drumming Certification Levels I, II, Music of Ghana and Drumming in the Spirit from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; in addition to duties at Munsey, I teach elementary music (23 years), currently at Lake Ridge School; play clarinet with the Johnson City Community Concert Band.

Dianna Cantler, Director of Connections Ministries
Significant others:  married to Bob, mother to daughter, Palmer, a junior and son, Quentin, a 8^th grader at Science Hill.
How I relax and have fun: I am a confirmed shop-a-holic! And there’s nothing better than hearing the phrase “It’s football time in Tennessee!”
Favorite music: Our radio dial has to be the most diverse – pop, broadway, contemporary Christian, 70’s and 80’s with an occasional country thrown in.
Favorite food or restaurant:  I like the locals – Brumley’s, Red Pig and Café Lola
Ideal vacation:   Sitting on the beach with a good book
Biblical character I most identify with: I am a Martha through and through!!
What I like best about Munsey: The fact that we have this wonderful history, but aren’t afraid to do something new to reach out to people.
The Usual Stuff: I graduated from ETSU and have lived in several major Southern cities before we came back “home” to Johnson City. I love that I am able to use the gift's God has given me by directing the welcoming and inviting ministries at Munsey since 2004. I consider it a personal challenge to learn the name and something about each person who visits with us - I'm looking forward to meeting YOU!

Doug Miller, Director of Facilities and Media
Significant others: Wife Beth, 2 growing boys, Chris and Mike, and Belle, our loved "old" dog.
How I relax and have fun: Discovery and History Channel programming, fly fishing, wood working, and Boy Scout leadership.
Favorite music: Bluegrass, country, and classical (don’t say it).
Favorite food or restaurant: Most of them.
Ideal vacation: Go somewhere where I can do nothing, by my definition.
Biblical character I most identify with: Job, he perseveres.
What I like best about Munsey: The people. I work with and serve - the best people in Northeast Tennessee

Dan Gray, Minister of Youth Discipleship

Significant others: Samantha (wife), Camille (daughter), Luke (son), Zaiah (son)
How I relax and have fun: Spend time with family; wrestling with the kids; listening to music; soaking in the mountain views.
Favorite music: Third Day, Caedmon's Call, Shane & Shane, David Crowder Band and bluegrass gospel!
Favorite food or restaurant: A black bean burrito from Acoustic Coffeehouse or Barberitos.
Ideal vacation: A tropical island; a beach.
Biblical character I most identify with: Can't decide between Luke, Amos and Barnabas (the encourager).
What I like best about Munsey: The people and the energy of a dynamic church and the welcoming of folks from all walks of life.

The Usual Stuff: NC State undergrad, UNC-Chapel Hill Law School, Duke Divinity School -- go ACC! Gave up the law practice after falling in love with the smell of second-hand musty couches in the youth room. Have served in youth ministry in several UM churches and for 5 years as the Holston Conference Coordinator of Youth Ministries, prior to starting at Munsey in July 2008.