FIRST PRESBYTERIAN STAFF

Ronald (Ron) Lowell Shive
Pastor

Ronald Shive is Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian, having come to Burlington in August 2002. Ron studied at Auburn University (B.S., Microbiology), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), Erskine Theological Seminary (non-degree), and Union Theological Seminary (D. Min.). Ron came to First Presbyterian from Lake Murray Presbyterian Church in Chapin, South Carolina, where he served for 9 years. Ron is very much involved in the in community and in the larger church throughout the PC (U.S.A.). Ron is married to the former Pamela Young, who is an English Content Coach at Cummings High School. Ron and Pam are the parents of two children, daughter, Megan, age 24, and a son, Colin, age 22. Megan is a second year student at the Medical University of South Carolina and Colin is in his first year of law school at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

336-228-1703 Ext. 214

Genie Varker Martin
Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Mission

Associate Pastor Genie Martin grew up in the Varker household as part of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. She graduated from Maryville College in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts' degree in Sociology, then spent one year as a "Volunteer in Mission Young Adult Program" in Chandler, Arizona. A masters' degree was earned at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, which led her to serve as the Executive Director of Rock Forge Neighborhood House near Morgantown, West Virginia for nine years.
She and her husband, Jack, have three children: April, a student at Maryville College, Dawn, a student at North Carolina State University, and Robert, at Williams High School. The family moved here from Asheville on September 21, 1997 for Genie to serve this church and Jack to teach Technology Education courses at universities nearby.

336-228-1703 Ext. 215

Peter Andrew Thompson
Associate Pastor for Youth and College Ministries

“The Lord is my rock…” Psalm 18:2- Peter A. Thompson is a 2009 graduate of Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA.  Peter came to First Presbyterian Church after serving as Associate Youth Director at Bon Air Presbyterian Church while in seminary and Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Kings Mountain, NC from 2003 to 2005.  Peter received his BS in Business Administration (Marketing) from Montreat College in 2003.  At Montreat College, Peter worked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, Campus Care, and played baseball for the Cavaliers.  Montreat remains one of Peter’s favorite places.  His call to ministry became clear while trying out for a Major League Baseball Team, eventually guiding Peter to serve youth and families through the church, community, sports, and other activities.  The Presbyterian Heritage runs five generations deep in Peter’s line, beginning in Ireland to currently residing in Charlotte, NC.  Peter has a passion to serve people and serve the church.  He enjoys being active in a multitude of ways: all sports, hiking, skiing, rafting, skydiving, mission work, wood working, cooking, and eating ---- to name some.  In awe of God’s majesty, Peter enjoys traveling to visit God’s handy work on coast lines, at the foot of and on top of mountain peaks, prairies, the countryside, in the city, amidst a garden, or in a stream flowing around a large rock. 

336-228-1703

J. Patrick Murphy, M.M.
Organist-Choirmaster

J. Patrick Murphy, a native of Graham, North Carolina, began serving this congregation as Organist-Choirmaster in January, 2008. He holds degrees in organ performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of North Texas. Organ study has been with Robert Burns King, George Ritchie, Quentin Faulkner, Charles Brown, and Christopher Brayne. Harpsichord study has been with Harvey Hinshaw and Lenora McCroskey. In addition, Mr. Murphy has completed further study in England at Cambridge University, most notably at King’s College, Oxford University, and the Royal School of Church Music. He has attended the Southern Cathedrals Festival on numerous occasions. During early 1998, at the invitation of the Dean and Chapter, he served as Assistant Organist at Bristol Cathedral, Bristol, England. During the spring of 2005, he served as Church Musician-in-residence at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. Mr. Murphy is involved with the Greensboro Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, for which he has been a past Dean. Since 1984, he has been a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and has served on planning teams for the 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2007 Montreat Conferences on Worship and Music. In 2001, he was Director of the Conference. Prior to his appointment at First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Mr. Murphy served as Director of Music Ministry at the First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, North Carolina (1983-2007). In Greensboro, he supervised a graded choir program for choral and handbell music, administered a music recital series, assisted in the design of a 116-stop organ built by Orgues Létourneau, Ltd, and planned music for all worship services, weddings, and funerals.

336-228-1703 Ext. 218

Sarah Beth Christie
Church Educator

Sarah Beth Christie received her B.S. in Business Administration from West Virginia University in 1986. She moved to Burlington in 1990. She has completed additional course work towards her Educator Certification with classes in Human Development, Biblical Interpretation, Reformed Theology and Faith and Human Development, and Religious Education Theory and Practice. Sarah served as Director of Christian Education in Graham, North Carolina, from 1995-2003. She has served and developed ministries in many areas of education including children, youth and adult ministries. Sarah currently serves as Director of Christian Education First Presbyterian Church, Burlington. Sarah and her husband Dan are the parents of two children, Ericka and Daniel. Ericka graduated from NYU with a Masters of Arts in Teaching and is currently teaching English at Southern Alamance High School. Daniel is an aerospace engineer employed by Cessna. Daniel and his wife Brenda reside in Wichita, Kansas.

336-228-1703 Ext. 223

OTHER STAFF MEMBERS