The Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Stephen T. Hale. He and his wife Michele will join us on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
His educational background includes: A Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development in 2005 from the Seabury Theological/Seabury Institute, Evanston, IL. A Master of Divinity Degree in 1998 from Phillips Theological Seminary, Enid, and Tulsa, OK. A Master of Health Administration in 1986 from the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. A Bachelor of Arts, Health Services Administration in 1983 from St. Mary’s College, Spokane, WA. Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts in 1976 from Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA. A Diploma in Respiratory Therapy in 1972 from the College of California Medical Affiliates, Okland, CA. Lastly a Certificate of Completion in Emergency Medical Services – Paramedicine in 2021 from Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City, OK.
He started his ministry career in 1995 in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church serving as Full-Time Licensed Local Pastor at the New Horizon United Methodist Church, Woodward, OK, growing the congregation from 45 to 105 members over three years. In 1998 he served as Senior Pastor, starting as a Probationary Elder finishing as an Ordained Elder in Full Connection at New Hope UMC & Redemption Ministries, Enid, OK, growing the congregation from 70 to 135 members over five years. Over the next ten years
He served at St. Paul’s UMC, Lawton, OK; Eastern Abaco Region of the Bahamas Methodist Church; FUMC Lindsay, OK and Chapel Hill UMC, Oklahoma City, OK. In each of these appointments the congregations experienced significant growth. His last appointment before retiring in August 2022 was as senior Pastor of the FUMC of Laverne and Rosston, OK serving from 2016 to May 2022. After enjoying a couple of months of retirement he began serving as an Intentional Interim Minister as an Elder in Full Connection at the
FUMC, Greenwood, MS where attendance grew from 55 to 80. In June 2023 he accepted a quarter time appointment at Colbert UMC, Colbert, OK where he has served until being appointed to McAlester FUMC.
Stephen was born in Norman, OK, his birthday is July 4th. His father worked as a Pipeline Engineer requiring him to frequently relocate. Stephen attended public schools graduating from Concord High School in California.
He has lived and worked in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas. The only state he not been to is Hawaii. He is flexible and learned to adapt to many cross-cultural situations. He loves to teach Scuba Diving, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, fishing from his oat, and he used to fly small private planes. He is passionate about Mission work serving and leading in The Bahamas, Belize, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, and many places in the United States. His love of the Walk to Emmaus has led him to be the Spiritual Director for 8 walks. He has also served as Community Spiritual Director for the Pioneer Country Emmaus, Pioneer Country Chrysalis, Kairos Prison ministry of Oklahoma as well as NW Oklahoma Emmaus.
Stephen’s heart is with Jesus in ministering to the least, the lost and the broken.
Your brother-in-Christ,
Tim Isenberg
Chair Staff Parish Relations Committee
Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Letters with a Minor in Classical Cultures and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, and is pursuing a Masters of Education in Literacy and Language Arts from Oklahoma State University. She is a licensed Bi-Vocational pastor with the United Methodist Church. Ms. Mitchell is a kindergarten teacher for McAlester Public Schools and is the Director of Children's Ministries for McA FUMC. She lives in McAlester with her three sons and enjoys spending time outside, especially in her flower beds, spending time with old friends, making new friends, traveling, and reading.
Caroline has been assisting in the Children's program and helping with all things marketing over the past year. She is a busy mom to three toddlers and has enjoyed working with the Methodist church and being involved in our community.
Linda has led our traditional hymn offering for over two decades. Serving as choir director and organist, she is a retired public school teacher and a graduate of Northeastern State University.
Debbie has been a dedicated volunteer leader in our contemporary music offering for over a decade. Currently serving as an interim coordinator, she leads weekly Praise and Worship teams each Sunday and for special services.
Kacie is from Piedmont, OK. She is married to Pastor Hagen and has four children. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Mid-America Christian University and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Southern Nazarene University. She has worked in several Day Cares and Mother’s Day Out programs. She has a love for children and is excited to provide a safe and caring environment for parents to leave their children while attending worship and other church functions.
Amy has been a lead childcare staff member for over a decade. Serving on Sunday mornings and special events, Amy often shepherds our nursery children as they attend the children’s moments during worship services.
Cara has served as the church treasurer for 26 years. Cara oversees all church financial transactions including budget planning, reporting and record keeping and is a graduate of East Central University.
Linda serves as the executive assistant to our serving pastors and coordinates all office and congregational business needs. Linda is available on site on a daily basis to help facilitate any office tasks.
Megan has been accompanist for First UMC for over six years. She began her musical training at the age of two singing with the children’s choir of Grace United Methodist Church in El Paso, TX. She took piano lessons for 15 years and then minored in Music at McMurry College in Abilene, TX. She spends her free time volunteering with various charities in McAlester.