meet the morris chapel Team

  • rev. Jeff Coppley

    Pastor

    jcoppley@wnccumc.net

    Pastor Jeff was born and raised in the Lexington NC area (Reeds Community) . He is a lifelong Methodist that grew up at Shiloh United Methodist Church. Jeff graduated in 1988 from N.C. State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He is a Seminary graduate from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston Illinois (on the campus of Northwestern University) .


    Jeff married his amazing wife, Beverly, on July 16, 1988. Together, they have two incredible kids: Ellen is 26 and is the Director of Creative Communications at Covenant UMC in High Point. Thomas is 21 and is a rising Senior at Appalachian State University.


    Jeff and Bev live on the Western side of Greensboro. They moved there last year when Beverly became the District Superintendent of the Northern Piedmont District of the UMC. This was done in an effort to reduce the large amount of night driving required by her job and to make her trip home shorter. Jeff and Bev have a cat named George and a 12 year old yellow lab named Duke (who is Bev's third child). 


    Jeff is a history buff and a woodworker. His "happy place" is in the shop making furniture.


    Jeff is thoroughly Wesleyan in his theology and as was true with John Wesley is "a man of one book (The Bible of course)" But, along with Wesley, Jeff enjoys studying and learning lots of things. Jeff believes that the Church is the hope of the world and that we need to be the authentic living breathing body of Christ reaching out in love and service to bless our community and multiple spheres of influence.  


    Jeff is quite glad to be at Morris Chapel UMC and feels like he might just be the "happiest Pastor in the conference"!


  • samantha wesley

    director of children's ministry

    samanthaw0119@gmail.com

    Samantha grew up in Brevard, NC, graduated from The University of North Carolina at Asheville with a BS in history, graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with my Masters of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Christian Education; and is also a certified Christian Educator and a Stephen Leader with the Stephen’s Ministry program. Samantha has thirty years of experience in the church educating children, youth and adults, ranging from mission trips, Bible studies, program development and much more.


    At Morris Chapel, Samantha is  the children’s minister to the MC Kids, age birth to 5th grade and their families. She is also one of the Stephen Leaders with our Stephen Ministers.


    Samantha loves being in the ministry and serving the Lord to the best of her ability and share her gifts and talents with each of you. One of the things that makes her smile is seeing the MC Kids share their faith and share what they have learned by being an example with others. 


    One of the things that Samantha teaches the MC Kids is in everything we do...We play, learn and grow together with Jesus!


    Samantha also enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, watching movies, and playing golf.


    See more information about Children's ministries.


  • Amy colona

    Director of weekday ministries

    wdmdirectormcumc@gmail.com

    Amy was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and moved to Walkertown when she was nine years old. Amy is a graduate of Carver High School and High Point University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Amy has been a part of the Weekday Ministries team for 14 years, teaching 2's, 3's and 4's, and was named Director of the program at the start of the Fall 2015 school year.


    Amy and her husband, Jody, have three children, Jody Jr., AmyLynn and Laura Kate.

    Amy's son is an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 922, which meets at Morris Chapel.

    She and her family attend REVO Church in Winston Salem and has been a member of Oak Grove Moravian Church all her life. Amy reaffirmed her faith on March 22, 2015 by baptism. She is also actively involved in the PTSA at Walkertown High School, Girl Scouts and a quilt ministry.


    See more information about Weekday Ministries.


  • KIMBERLY SPARKMAN

    director of music Ministries

    kmsgoss@hotmail.com

    Kimberly became the Director of Music Ministries at Morris Chapel in August 2018. She graduated from Appalachian State University with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in Finance, and Risk and Insurance, and a minor in Music. She loves Jesus, people, and music, and desires to share that with others. 


    Kimberly has one child, and two dogs. She enjoys playing flute and piano, completing

    DIY projects, being actively involved in the Girl Scouts organization, entering baking

    and food decorating competitions, and spending time with family and friends.


    If you are interested in joining the choir or handbell choir, please let Kimberly know.

    There’s always room for anyone that wants to make a joyful noise!


  • amy whicker

    administrative assistant

    & FINANCIAL SECRETARY

    MORRISCHAPEL@GMAIL.COM

    Amy committed her life to Christ at a youth retreat in 1983.  Serving the Lord with a faithful spirit and compassionate heart is her life’s mission. Amy is originally from Florence, AL and moved with her family to North Carolina when she was two years old.  Amy graduated from Carver High School in 1987 and following high school, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University with a major in Computer Science.


    She has been a member of the Morris Chapel family since 1999 and currently serves as the Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary for the church. She also enjoys leading the Operation Christmas Child mission for Morris Chapel and the surrounding community.


    Amy and her husband, Ladd, have two children, Landon and Morgan.  She and her husband enjoy spending time with their kids, taking day trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Alabama football.