Our Guest Minister for May 12, is Rev. Paul Christy. Rev. Christy was born in Avery County and is the son of a United Methodist preacher. He grew up in a parsonage family and has one sister who is a UM preacher and 2 brothers who likewise are UM preachers. He holds degrees from Brevard College, Pfeiffer University and Duke University. He has been in the active United Methodist ministry since 1988 and has served appointments in Statesville, Providence and Cool Spring UMC, and North Morganton UMC in Morganton, NC, at First UMC Sylva, at Highlands UMC, and now is happy to be at First UMC in Hickory.
He is married to Jamye Cartner Christy and they have two children Zack who is married to Crystal and they are the proud parents of Paul and Jamye's first grandson, Elijah. Zack is a United Methodist Minister in Cherryville, NC at First United Methodist Church. Their other child Caroline was recently married in January and she and her husband reside outside Charlotte, NC. Rev. Christy enjoys spending time with his family and fly fishing and playing golf. He is an avid runner who has run several half marathons and he will admit that he is not fast but enjoys running with others in the church. He has served the United Methodist Church in different capacities over the years, not only as a local church pastor but in the Conference as well, as the Director of Lay Speaking ministries for the Smoky Mountain District, on the District Board of Superintendents, and on the Conference Board for Equitable Salaries.
One of Rev. Christy's greatest joys is being a part of Foreign missions. He has been to Bolivia, Haiti, Jamaica, and Bosnia on several occasions teaching and building either churches or barns in these countries.