Pastors
Reverend David Surrett
Senior Pastor
dsurrett@stjohnsrh.org
The Reverend David C. Surrett began his ministry at St. John’s United Methodist Church in July 2020. He is married to the former Donna Mercer, a retired Early Childhood Special Educator originally from eastern North Carolina. Together, they have three children, Myles, an Associate Director of Student Life at Clemson University, Lydia, an Elementary Special Educator in Oconee County, SC and a son, Alec, who is Director of Youth and Young Adults at Woodland United Methodist here in Rock Hill.
The Reverend Surrett is a graduate of Duke University Divinity School and has served congregations of all sizes throughout South Carolina. He is the former Chair of the SC Conference Committee on Career Planning and Counseling and of the SC Conference Council on Finance and Administration. David currently serves on the SC Board of Ordained Ministry and the Rock Hill Committee on the District Superintendency. He is very active in the Boy Scouts of America and is serving as Council Commissioner, lead adult volunteer, in the Blue Ridge Council. He and both Myles and Alec are Eagle Scouts. Lydia earned her Silver Award in Girl Scouts.
The Reverend Surrett enjoys gardening, swimming, writing and especially being Pops (Granddad) to his two grandchildren, Forest, age 5 and Thea, age 2. He loves a good cup of coffee and conversation and is always ready to become better acquainted and explore Christian thinking. He is particularly fond of Dr. Howard Thurman, Karl Barth, Bishop Will Willmon, Father Henri Nouwen, and Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor. Donna and he have only recently purchased a future retirement home in the Western NC mountain community of Lake Junaluska.
Ryan Powell
Associate Pastor
ryanpowell@stjohnsrh.org
Pastor Ryan is a native of Monroe, NC. Before his appointment to St. John's in 2019, he served as pastor of Zoar United Methodist Church in Cheraw for two years. Joining Pastor Ryan in his ministry are his wife, Dana, and their children, Hudson, Peyton, and Lincoln. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing, woodworking, and golfing. He's also a big sports fan, cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats, Carolina Panthers, and Charlotte Hornets.Staff
Dr. Timothy Belflowers
Director of Music and Worship
tbelflowers@stjohnsrh.org
Timothy D. Belflowers is a native of North Carolina with a rich and diverse musical background. He has served in music ministry for over thirty years as a minister of music, organist, and pianist, serving notable congregations such as West End UMC (Nashville), Myers Park UMC (Charlotte), and Myers Park Baptist (Charlotte). In the academic setting, Dr. Belflowers has taught on the music faculties of East Carolina University, Catawba College, and Wingate University. He is a founding member of Charlotte’s premier professional chamber choir – The Ethos Consortium, where he served as principal accompanist and cover conductor to Artistic Director, Paul E. Oakley.
Dr. Belflowers holds the Doctorate of Ministry degree in Theology and the Arts from Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC); the Master of Sacred Music with a concentration in Organ Performance from East Carolina University (Greenville, NC); and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance from Methodist University (Fayetteville, NC). His principal teachers include: Janette Fishell, Colin Andrews, and Linda Schafer (organ); Jane Weeks Gardiner, John B. O’Brien, and Richard Chandler (piano); along with Rhonda Fleming, Daniel Bara, and Paul E. Oakley (conducting).
Acclaimed for his “solid musicianship, technical security and poise” by Charlotte Magazine, Dr. Belflowers is a versatile artist known for his skillful, musical playing, conducting, and accompanying. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe, making his European debut at Christ Church Cathedral (Dublin) in 2002. As an organist, he has appeared as soloist with the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra and at such venues as Peachtree Road UMC (Atlanta, GA), The Cathedral of St. Phillip (Atlanta, GA), St. James Episcopal Church (Hendersonville, NC), and St. Michael’s Cathedral (Boise, ID). He has made appearances as a performer and presenter at numerous conferences, including The American Choral Directors Association, The American Guild of Organists, The Choristers Guild, and The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts.
Sarah Crockford
Director of Children's Ministries
scrockford@stjohnsrh.org
Sarah Crockford has been on the staff at St. John’s since 2001. A native of Denver Colorado, Sarah also lived in Detroit and Columbia, SC before settling in Rock Hill. She holds a B.S. in Special Education from Winthrop University and has worked with children over the years from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds. She and her husband, John, have two children, Katie and Evan. Stop by and say hello and find out how you can be a part of the children’s ministry team at St. John’s!
Val Kenney
Director of Youth Ministry
vkenney@stjohnsrh.org
Val joined the St. John's staff in 2012 after answering his call to full time Youth in late 2011. Val spent nearly 27 years in Corporate America in the copier industry before answering his call. He served four years in the United States Navy and has been blessed to have been able to visit the Holy Land along with 23 other countries. Val obtained his Paraprofessional Certification in Youth Ministry from Pfeiffer University in 2015. Val and his wife, Cindy, have been married for over years. They have two children who have blessed them with six wonderful grandchildren.
Lexi Grainger
Nursery Coordinator
nursery@stjohnsrh.org
Lexi grew up in Rock Hill, attending St. John's from childhood. She attended South Pointe High School and then went on to attend Appalachian State University where she received a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training. After her undergraduate studies, Lexi attended the University of North Georgia where she received a master's degree in Physical Education. While she was working on her master's, she married Brian Grainger and they now have two sons, Beau and Cooper. When she is not helping our smallest members, she is working as the head Athletic Trainer for Westminster Catawba Christian School and raising her boys.
Katie Goodwin
Director of Weekday Ministries
kgoodwin@stjohnsrh.org
Katie grew up in Rock Hill and still has much of her family in town. She married Chris Goodwin and they have three children: Corbin, Chloe and Atticus. Katie received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Clemson University in 1993. She taught second grade at St. Anne School for seven years and earned her M.A. in Counseling and Development from Winthrop University during that time. She enjoyed eight years as a stay home mother and was ready to start back part time at St. John’s Preschool as a K4 teacher for the 2008-2009 school year. Being a part of such a caring and positive environment encouraged her to take the position as the director for the preschool. Katie is dedicated to maintaining and growing the excellence St. John’s Preschool has to offer.
Linda Greene
Director of After-School
after-school@stjohnsrh.org
Linda grew up in Hartsville, South Carolina. After a twenty-year career in business and government service, she elected to pursue her current position as Director of the after-school program. She is certified in CPR and First Aid. Linda has two daughters, Mary Beth and Lindsey. Linda enjoys running, reading, and dining with good friends.
Hannah Lunny
Communications Director and Office Administrator
