MEET OUR STAFF
PASTOR: Rev. Jolin Wilks McElroy
Rev. McElroy has seen God do amazing things with this congregation and considers our corner of East Boulevard and Dilworth Road, East, to be Holy Ground.
She has been Pastor at First Christian Church in Charlotte since July 30th, 2000. During her tenure here, she has watched this congregation grow into presence in the Charlotte and Dilworth communities-branching out into service through the Dilworth Soup Kitchen and Pantry, Project Outpour, supporting many missions and outreach groups, and providing a meeting place for classes and events. She has also rejoiced as this church has been transformed by the Holy Spirit through powerful ministries, a tremendous staff, and blessed friends from the community.
She is the ninetenth pastor to have served First Christian Church and, at a quarter of a century, has served the longest pastorate in FCC’s 110 years. Prior to serving this church, Rev. McElroy served in the Capitol Area as Associate Minister of First Christian Church in Falls Church, Virginia, while in seminary was a student intern at St. Elizabeths Hospital (in Washington, DC), and the Student Pastor of First Christian Church of Carlisle, Kentucky. A fifth generation Disciple, two of Rev. McElroy’s ancestors (a great-great grandfather Howell, and a great grandfather Wilks) were ministers in this movement: one, a circuit rider in Tennessee, and the other, Pastor of First Christian Church of Dodge City, Kansas.
Among her many surprises during this pastorate have been meeting Tom, the love of her life, marrying him here at FCC, and becoming a mother to Tommy, who grew up in this church and recently graduated from High School. A trained artist, she still makes time for her art when possible and belongs to a few artist groups here in Charlotte. She is ever grateful for the ways First Christian Church has affirmed the artist, wife, and mother in her, even as she has served as Pastor.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC : Mary Wyant
Mary is a performing arts educator, vocal coach, and arts advocate. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and holds an M.A. in Arts Management from Colorado State University’s LEAP Institute for the Arts. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mary is an adjudicator and voice coach for music and theatre associations in the Southeast US. Mary is also a professional mezzo-soprano soloist and has performed with the St. Petersburg Opera Company, Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and Festival Singers of Florida. After growing up with traditional and contemporary music in the United Methodist Church, Mary is passionate about using her experience in multidenominational liturgical music to lead church members in worship and to create an open, welcoming environment for members from all walks of life.