The All-Star Staff of First United Methodist Church
Pastor
Rev. Kaiya Kershaw
An ordained elder, Rev. Kaiya Kershaw has served as the interim pastor at St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Arlington, pastor at Davis Memorial UMC in North Richland Hills, associate pastor at First UMC in Colleyville, and as Youth and Children’s Pastor at Dido UMC during her student ministry. She is married to a brilliant computer guy/musician, Adam Rose, and considers herself mom to a 19-year-old daughter (sophomore at Texas Wesleyan University) and a surprisingly spry 14-year-old terrier/terror mix. Rev. Kershaw holds a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at TCU and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her passion is sharing the love of Jesus for all people through preaching, teaching, and building relationships. She spends her spare time preparing for retirement as a misunderstood artist.
Administrative Assistant
Lajuanann Locke
Lajuanann Locke has served as Administrative Assistant for FUMC De Leon for 9 years. She is married to Gerald Locke, a native of De Leon. They have 3 children, Kurt, Jessica and Seth. Lajuanann was raised in Stamford, TX and has worked for many years in banking, operated a gift and frame shop in Stamford, and as school secretary in Graham. She feels that serving as the Administrative Assistant at FUMC is exactly where God intends for her to be. She loves serving the members of this church and the fellowship we all share.
Music Director
Dotty Hare
I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas in the Riverside United Methodist Church. I served as organist there while in high school and college. My Bachelor of Business Administration degree is from Texas Wesleyan where I was also a member of the Texas Wesleyan Singers. After graduating from college, I was employed at Tarrant County Juvenile Probation Department where I met my husband, Mike. We were married in 1976 at the Riverside church. I was later employed by the Tarrant County District Attorney.
In 1983, Mike accepted a position at the DeLeon Hospital, and we moved to DeLeon with our two daughters, Stacie and Melissa. I entered Tarleton State University to pursue a teaching certificate in Business Education and taught in DeLeon ISD for 23 years before retiring in 2009. Mike was in hospital administration before retiring in 2011.
I have been part of the music ministry ever since joining DeLeon FUMC. In addition to directing the Chancel Choir, I play keyboard and sing with the Breath of Life praise band. I also serve as worship chair and am a member of the United Methodist Women.
Our daughter Stacie Crosby is a DeLeon and Tarleton graduate and lives in San Antonio, Texas. Daughter Melissa, also a DeLeon and Tarleton graduate, married Brian Bruton and they have our precious grandsons, Hudson and Wyatt. They currently live in Brock, Texas.
Mike and I enjoy retirement, travel when we can, and “host” our grandsons as much as possible. We are truly blessed!
Youth Director
Gregory Cisneroz
Gregory Cisneroz has been the youth director for the De Leon First United Methodist Church since July of 2018 but has been a part of the youth program as an assistant, sponsor, adult supervision, and helper for over 20 years. Greg enjoys working with the church youth and youth in general.
Greg and his wife Jennifer have been a part of the De Leon FUMC for over 25 years. Their children Rachel, Joseph, Micah, and L.C. grew up in this church and were involved in the De Leon UMYF programs and now have families of their own.
Greg says “I continue to get involved where I believe God has provided the opportunities for me to serve such as youth missions in local and state areas as well as adult group missions trips in other countries from Mexico and Honduras to Kenya Africa”.
At the present time Greg and Jennifer are the foster parents of Toniqua who is in their care and part of their family.