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Chris
H. Andrews
Senior Pastor
Job: My job as the Senior Minister includes leading the staff, setting the vision of the church, and connecting the FUMC community and the Baton Rouge community. I also serve on the boards of many non-profits. As a Denominational servant, I serve on the Board of Discipleship, Methodist Children's Home, and Wesley Foundation (Southern University).
Education: I received a BA from Louisiana Tech University, and a Masters of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. I also studied at Emory University, and the Goldsmith College in London, England.
Family: My wife, Gloria Weaver Andrews, and I have two children, Amy Green and Adam Andrews; we also have a granddaughter, Chloe Elise Green.
Interests: I enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing, working in the yard, and working on our cabin in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Movies & Books: My favorite movies include, Shane and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, and Original Blessing by Matthew Fox are some of my favorite books.
I believe this is the work God has called me to do. In the church there is a bringing together of life in ways that are not experienced in any other place. The church is the physical manifestation of Christ's Body in the world. Serving it is a beautiful and holy experience.
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Elaine Burleigh
Associate Pastor
Job: As one of three associate pastors, I am involved in a variety of ministries
such as integrating new members into the church; leading a variety of short-term studies designed to help our members mature in their faith; and helping people discover their gifts for ministry and then connecting them with ministries in which they can use those gifts.
Education: I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southwestern Louisiana; a law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans; a Masters of Tax Law from New York University and a Masters of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri.
Interests: I love spending time with my family, gardening and all things outdoors… including fishing, hiking and camping, and adventure travel.
Books & Movies: My favorite movies include the oldies but goodies like Casablanca (and anything else starring Humphrey Bogart); as well as “newer” movies like Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. Some of my favorite books include What’s Bread in the Bone by Robertson Davies and Time and Again by Jack Finney.
I have practiced law in New York City where life is thrilling and work is extraordinarily challenging, and I have lived out in the “sticks” of South Louisiana where watching the sun set over the beautiful pasture has left me speechless. I have hiked in the artic circle and been swimming in the Amazon River. But nothing fills my soul like serving God and helping others discover the power of Christ for their lives. It is in the doing of this wonderful work that I feel most deeply connected to God and to the world.
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Mike Hammett
Associate Pastor
Having served small and medium size churches in the Louisiana Conference since June, 1986, I am pleased and excited to be in a team ministry with my clergy colleagues, talented professional lay staff, and the great members here at First! My education was received at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (B.A. and M.S.), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Perkins School of Theology (United Methodist Studies). I bring a wide scope of experiences, including ministry in military, law enforcement, and hospital settings, as well as community service on the boards of several agencies throughout Louisiana.
My wife, Kim, is also a United Methodist pastor, serving two churches here in Baton Rouge. We have two adult children, Jonathan and Sarah, and a canine child named Teddy. As a clergy couple, Kim and I are part of the United Christian Ashram movement and serve on staff for the yearly Congress on Evangelism. I serve as Chair of Town and Country Ministries for the Louisiana Conference, helping to provide encouragement and assistance to our small membership churches and the clergy who serve them. I am a clergy candidacy mentor for those exploring and discerning the call to ministry and a clergy coach/mentor for probationary clergy in their first years of ministry.
Kim and I enjoy simple time shared together (which we often have to schedule with our planners in hand!), photography, and travel. I am an “infomaniac” who loves to learn about new areas of interest. I look forward to being one of your pastors, and invite you to call, e-mail or come by the church office for coffee and conversation. My door is always open!
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