James is an ordained Elder of the Global Methodist Church. He has served churches in Middle Tennessee for twenty-two years. He is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University and Memphis Theological Seminary. His wife, Carol, is an accomplished flautist and music educator. They are the blessed parents of Grace, Macks, and Charlie. We are deeply committed to cultivating a desire to grow in discipleship and our openness to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Because of Tamara Matthews retirement on March 31, we are pleased to announce that on Monday night, March 11, the SPRC hired Shannon Day to become our new Children’s Director beginning April 1, 2024. Shannon and her family have become a vital part of our church over the last few years. She brings a wealth of experience in Children’s Ministry to our church, including currently volunteering in the childrens program, as we seek to continue our strong children’s program. We are grateful the Lord guided this process and are pleased to welcome Shannon to the staff of First Methodist Church!

Dr. Stallsmith is the Music and Choir Director for the Traditional service. He is also the organist. His wife, Becky, plays the piano and accompanies guest singers. She also sings as a regular member of the Choir. Dr. Stallsmith earned his B.M. at Youngstown University; M.M., University of Kansas; D.M.A., University of Alabama. He is also the Music Director of the Jasper and Sumiton campuses of Bevill State Community College.

Dr. Stallsmith, who has been playing the organ since the age of nine, won a national hymn-writing contest in 2015, which led to his composition being premiered as part of the Bethlehem Music Series in Minneapolis on Oct. 11, 2015.

He is also Director of the Walker County Christian Chorus, a volunteer choir dedicating themselves to the rehearsals and performances of Handel's "Messiah" every Christmas. The WCCC is accompanied by members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Trawick is the Worship Leader for the Celebration Worship Service. He is a professional educator, with the Jefferson County Board of Education, currently serving as Area Director under the Deputy Superintendent of School & Community Support

Chris is a 1992 graduate of Corner High School. He also taught and coached at Corner High from 1997-2000. From there he had the opportunity to coach men's basketball at Bevill State Community College, where he also taught Math and worked in student services from 2000-2005 before returning to Jefferson County Board of Education.

Dr. Trawick is married to Kerri Trawick. Kerri is an instructional partner at T. R. Simmons Elementary in the Jasper City School system. They have three teenage boys. Skyler Trawick, Tyler Trawick and Coleman Sapp.

Cheryl selected Jasper First UMC in 1995 as her church of choice in which to raise her two children when she and her husband, Dr. John Odle, DPM, moved to Jasper to establish his practice in Podiatric Medicine. She joined the staff as Administrative Secretary soon after Alan Beasley was appointed as Senior Pastor in 2011.

Lanny Capps oversees the information technology the church embraces to spread the Gospel. He is the Webmaster for www.jasperfirstumc.com and maintains the computers and ancillary equipment used to enhance our worship services. This includes the audio/video live streaming of all worship services and specials over the Internet. This website is his 5th complete design for the Church since the first that was created in 1998.

Lanny is very thankful for the life experiences that God has lead him through to gain the skills he now uses to support the Church in which he was raised.

Delisa Grace supervises the Nursery, which is provided during both Sunday worship services and Sunday School. The nursery is also open for other events as approved by the Pastoral Staff. In addition, she teaches the 3 year old class in our Preschool.

She has been attending church at Jasper First UMC since 2005 with her two sons, Adam and Ethan.

Brandy Freeman joined our staff in 2005 as part time custodian for the Youth Center. She earned a promotion in 2008 and an expanded role.

Brandi resides in Pineywoods with her husband and two children. She became head custodian early 2021.

Tex was born in Double Springs Alabama. He grew up in Northeast Arkansas where he graduated from Cash High School in Cash, Arkansas. After spending four years in the Air Force with the last year spent in Vietnam he returned to Alabama with plans to get married. He and Regina were married in January 1969. In February 1973 Tex heard God's call to the ministry. He took his first appointment in the United Methodist Church in June 1973. That fall he began his education. He received a B.S. degree in Sociology from the University of North Alabama in 1977 and a Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, in December 1979. He was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1975 and was ordained Elder in 1981. He came to the Jasper First UMC as Senior Pastor in June of 2002, and remained until his retirement here in Jasper in 2011. He rejoined the staff as Associate Pastor in June, 2014.

Rev. Tex L. Ergle Learning Center

On Monday night, April 25, 2022, the Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church approved by an enthusiastic unanimous vote the naming of the building we use for adult Sunday School classes and preschool classrooms the Rev. Tex L. Ergle Learning Center. Tex served as the Senior Pastor of our church from 2002-2011 and it was soon after that he agreed to become our part-time Associate Pastor. He served in that capacity until his untimely death in January, 2021. Of the many great things that could be said about his ministry, there are two which were both important to him and he excelled in. Ask anyone who knew Tex well and they would tell you he loved to teach/preach and he was a life-long learner. He was gifted as a teacher and never stopped teaching. He never lost his desire to learn and continued to study and learn his entire life. Most of all, his heart was to help others learn and grow as a result of his ministry. I’m sure many can testify to the effectiveness of his teaching whether it was from the pulpit, in Sunday School, on Wednesday night in a large group setting, or in a Bible Study of some sort. The Board all agreed this is a wonderful way to honor his life and ministry at Jasper First UMC.

In Memorial

Reverend Tex Lee Ergle, age 75 of Jasper passed away on January 26, 2021 from COVID19 related causes. He served 19 years in Ministry at Jasper First United Methodist Church, As Pastor, Associate Pastor and in other support roles following his retirement.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at North Oakhill Cemetery in Jasper, Alabama.