Director and Pastor: Wesley at UCF
Erwin is originally from Venezuela and his dad is from Guatemala. He felt a calling to ministry when he was 22 years old in a small church across the street from his house in Miami, Fl. His community saw gifts in him before he even saw them in himself. And for this he is forever grateful and therefore passionate about community and helping Christians grow closer to God and one another. After his life was flipped upside down by Christ he graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology from FIU and worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor for two years after college. He then moved to Durham, NC to finish his Masters of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. He was a pastor of two small churches in Lakeland before moving to Orlando to lead Wesley. He loves basketball, all things Miami, his family, cooking and his wife Charity. And he also loves being the Pastor at Wesley, it's his ministry dream come true.
Rev. Erwin Lopez
Associate Pastor: St. Lukes UMC, Orlando, FL
Jad’s undergraduate degree is in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Philosophy and Religion from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. where Jad could surf and play tennis. He was born into a family of United Methodists – his father and elder sister are Ministers in the Florida Conference of the UMC – where justice, mercy and inclusion of all, were understood as the work of Christians, and the expression of the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
Jad spent 13 years in the Florida Conference as a Youth Minister, primarily in Ft. Lauderdale and Clearwater, FL., before attending seminary. While in seminary, he was a member of Candler’s Sacred Worth Community and the Evangelical Society. In both groups he worked to build bridges of acceptance and inclusion through the power of Christ’s love. Jad was elected in 2007 and again in 2011 to represent the Florida Conference at the 2008 and 2012 General Conference of the UMC. Subsequently he was elected to the UMC’s General Board of Church and Society and has served on the Board of Directors since 2008. In 2012 Jad was elected as the president of the Florida Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action.
Rev. Jad Denmark
Sr. Pastor: FUMC Ormond Beach
Hey, I’m Scott and have been the Pastor here at First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach since July 2013. My wife Kris and I have three sons: Caleb, a middle school history teacher in the Orlando area, married to Megan, Joshua is working out west, and Jacob is at Florida State and of course Scout, the family dog! Formerly I was the Director of Youth and Education First UMC of Ft. Pierce, Associate Pastor Indian River City UMC, and the Founding Pastor of Community of Faith UMC. I hope all the above sounds corporate enough for those of you looking for that! Now here is the stuff you need to know: I am passionate about Florida State football and Duke basketball! I love BBQ and will travel miles for it! I love all things Celtic (not the basketball team, but Ireland.) I would rather be outside than inside, and I love the beauty of the Everglades. I collect crucifixes and Florida landscape art. The Highwaymen are my favorite artists and I love photos of the Everglades. I read a lot and my favorite book is “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Most of the fiction I read is ancient historical fiction, but I’m also a big fan of Tim Dorsey, Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney, and David Baldacci. My iTunes is filled with U2, Van Halen, Mumford and Sons, and everything in between. I love the TV shows “Big Bang Theory” and “Game of Thrones” and my all-time favorite shows are “24” and “Cheers.” Of course, all this is subject to change depending on the day, but right now those are a few of my favorite things.
Rev. Scott Smith
Pastor: College Park UMC
Native Floridian, Merrill Frailey is best known for her glowing smile, energy, deep faith and positive take on life. After 17 years of ministry at First United Methodist Church Winter Park, Florida she responded to a deeper call to become a licensed local pastor in 2015. Merrill was ordained as a licensed local pastor within the East-Central district of the FLUMC in 2016 and was appointed as lead Pastor at College Park United Methodist Church. Pastor Merrill Frailey is fun, relatable and not afraid to show her human side. Having raised five children, this life coach turned pastor has seen it all. She loves Jesus, a good cup of coffee, and sharing in communion and fellowship with her community at College Park United.
Rev. Merrill Frailey
Sr. Pastor: Celebration UMC Gainesville, FL
It has been a source of great joy (and sometimes complete exhaustion!) to balance the life of ministry with being a wife and mother. My husband and I have been married for 21 years and we have an amazing 10-year-old son! As a family we love to spend time at Disney, play tag chasing each other around the house, and sharing in family hugs.
I have been serving as a pastor in the UMC for nearly 20 years. My son's medical complexities and my own life story has created an opportunity to explore ways of doing ministry that is safe and welcoming for all. At the church I now serve this has included an intentional revamping of our
worship, Sunday School and outreach ministries.