Senior Pastor - Reverend Mel Caraway
melcaraway@sbcglobal.net

Rev. Mel Caraway became pastor of FUMC DeSoto in June 2007. Mel previously served as Pastor, Buckingham UMC, Garland. He’s very familiar with the DeSoto-Lancaster area, having been pastor at Lancaster UMC before moving to Garland.

A native of New Orleans, Mel entered the ministry after careers in higher education and marketing/consulting. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969 with a B.A. in History and Political Science and received a M.A. in History in 1971 from USM. He moved to Nashville, TN where he pursued a Ph.D. in African Colonial History and Modern British History at Vanderbilt University, finishing all the requirements but the dissertation.

He spent the next nine years working in higher education Administration at Vanderbilt University, Lamar University, and West Georgia College, where his last position was as Director of the Student Center and Director of Student Activities. Marketing and consulting work spanned the years of 1983-88, and he moved to Dallas in 1984.

During that time his volunteer work in humanitarian and social justice arenas expanded. He served as a Volunteer in Mission to Kenya in February 1987 and had extensive volunteer work in the area of low income housing in Dallas, especially West Dallas, 1985-1988. He worked in many areas of Habitat for Humanity, serving as Director of Dallas Habitat for Humanity in 1987 and becoming the first paid staff member for the Dallas affiliate. He also served on the Board of Directors, Grayson County Habitat, 1993-1995 and worked with Rockwall Habitat, 1995-1997.

While attending Perkins School of Theology from 1988-1992, he served Northaven UMC as an intern and on the staff from1989-1990. His pastoral appointments have included:

Mel was Chair of North Texas Conference Commission on Religion and Race, 1993-2001; served as chair, North Texas Conference Church and Society Task Force, 2002-2006 and has been a member of Task Force, 2002-present; and conducts workshops throughout the Annual Conference on the Social Principles.

Mel is married to Robin M. Caraway.

He has one son, Christopher Hayes Caraway.  Chris, his wife Sabrina and their children, Judah Hayes (5) and Joy Liora (3) live in Georgia.

Director of Music - Michael King

MikeKing1@aol.com

Michael King has served as Director of Music since September 2006, and directs our Chancel Choir, Bells of Praise, Youth Choir and coordinates the other musical programs in the church.  After completing studies in music education and conducting at the University of North Texas and Westminster Choir College, Michael went on to serve on the music faculty of  the St. Mark's School of Texas and is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Southwest Children's Chorus, a group he has led in performing in more than 30 states and 7 countries.  He has served on the boards of the Texas Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association and is also an active freelance keyboardist who plays with numerous organizations including the Dallas Summer Musicals. 

Assistant Director of Music--Kristi Hassell

khassell@sbcglobal.net

Kristi Hassell has been involved in church music most of her life as a soloist, choir member, handbell player, and pianist.  With a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Texas in Arlington, she has taught music to children for 15 years.  As Assistant Director of Music, Kristi oversees and directs Children's Choirs and Liturgical Dance, and assists with other aspects of the music ministry.  She is a member of Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and Chorister's Guild and has begun work on United Methodist Certification in Church Music.

Kristi loves singing, reading, gardening, crafting, and cooking.  She is active in the community with Girl Scouts and Special Olympics.  She also teaches Kindermusik classes and home schools her daughter.  She lives in Red Oak with her husband and daughter. 

Minister to Children and Their Families - Amy Vanpool
amyvanpool@prodigy.net
 

Amy has moved to the position of Minister to Children and Their Families after previously serving as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for four years. She is a life-long member of FUMC DeSoto. She attended the University of North Texas majoring in Art Education and has recently returned to school to pursue her call to ordained ministry. In January 2008, Amy will obtain a Certificate of Completion from Perkins School of Youth Ministry. She currently serves on the Church and Society Team for the North Texas Annual Conference. Since 2004 she has served as the adult sponsor for the Dallas South District Council on Youth Ministries. She is married, has four children and resides in Mansfield, Texas.