Senior Pastor

The Reverend Stuart Milton was appointed to Trinity in June of 2017, having served in the North Carolina Annual Conference for over 30 years. Before arriving in Southport, he served churches in Norlina, Cary, and Hurdle Mills, Durham, and Wilson.  A graduate of UNC Wilmington and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, his passion is helping people discover abundant life through the grace of God shown in Jesus Christ. He believes Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and that the Church must reach out with the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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He serves on the NC Conference Spiritual Formation Team. Previously he served on the Conference Evangelism Commission and Communications Committee. Pastor Stuart is also very active in the Walk to Emmaus Spiritual Renewal movement.

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Stuart was born in Atlanta, GA but grew up near Cincinnati, OH and graduated high school in Westport, CT.

His wife of over 30 years, Teresa, is a gifted pianist and vocalist and enjoys leading worship. She was the worship leader for Project Bountiful, a ministry of the NC Conference Academy for Leadership Excellence.

The Milton’s have two children. Hannah lives in Durham where she is a stay-at-home mom as well as Color Guard instructor for the Orange High School band. Hannah’s husband, CJ, works for Rise Against Hunger. The Milton’s youngest, Wes, is in school at Durham Tech, works as an Instructor at Crossfit of Durham and the Durham YMCA. 

Stuart enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with family, especially spoiling his grandson. His also enjoys playing Fantasy Football, Disney World, Star Wars, Harry Potter. Pastor is also a big fan of the Carolina Tarheels.

Pastor of Missions and Discipleship

The Rev. Dr. Mark Hicks joined the Trinity staff in July of 2018 as Associate Pastor and Pastor of Discipleship. Mark is an ordained elder in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.  In addition to Mark’s work at Trinity, he is the Founder and President of Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries National.  In this capacity, he has lead the Church’s efforts in Disciple Bible Study and prison ministry for 20 years.  Mark previously served as a pastor in Asheboro, Charlotte and Greensboro NC. Mark is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, Duke Divinity School and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. 

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Mark was raised in Greensboro NC and has been married to Laura Powell Hicks for more than 30 years. Laura is a Function Family Therapist with AMI Kids of Wilmington. Together they have two grown daughters, Sarah and Emily and one granddaughter, Clara June.  Mark and Laura also served as host parents to five international exchange sons.

Throughout the years Mark has served in a number of leadership roles in the Church including The Committee Discipleship, The Restorative Justice and Mercy Ministries Committee, The Board of Ordained Ministry and The Mission’s and Outreach Table.  Currently, Mark volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem for Brunswick County Courts where he works with foster children. Mark loves music and enjoys all activities related to the beach including swimming, fishing and boating. He is delighted to be a part of the Trinity staff!

Visitation Pastor

Minister of Visitation – Dr. Garrett Albertson.

Albertson spent his early years in rural in New Jersey. He received his undergraduate degree from The King’s College in New York and attended The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Andover-Newton Theological Seminary before receiving his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Albertson’s ministry began as a youth director in New Jersey, followed by thirty-six years as a Presbyterian minister in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York.

Director of Music Ministry

Robert G. Marks (Bob) comes to Trinity UMC from Cambridge, Ohio after serving churches and schools in North Central, East Central and Southeast Ohio for over 30 years. Before coming to Trinity UMC he served the congregation of New Concord UMC as Aldersgate Choir Director. Bob has also served the 9th Street UMC and First UMC (both in Cambridge) as Director of Music, serving at First UMC for 27 years. His duties there included direction of the Chancel Choir (adult vocal) and Chancel Chimes (a four octave adult bell choir), Brass Choir and supervision of the children’s music program and the organist.

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Bob most recently retired from Urbana University, Urbana, Ohio, where he conducted the University Singers and the Chamber Singers, as well as taught music history courses for adult classes. He has also served Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio as an adjunct instructor in Applied Voice, Guest Lecturer in Choir, and Associate Conductor of the Muskingum University Choral Society.

Mr. Marks spent twenty-four of his thirty years as a public school educator in the Cambridge City Schools where his duties included Middle School General Music, Handbell Choir, 8th Grade Choir, and High School Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Symphonic Chorale, and Music History. He also served the Drama Department as Music Director for the high school musicals from 1984-1995, and as Drama Club Advisor from 1995-2003. As advisor, he produced and directed several musicals and non-musicals, as well as remaining as Music Director. Some of the plays under Mr. Marks’ direction include The Sound of Music, Kiss Me Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, Appointment with Death, and The Crucible. He has also been in demand as a Music Director for community musicals such as Oliver, Sound of Music, Camelot, Touch of the Child, The Music Man, and Cinderella.

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Mr. Marks received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Heidelberg University in 1977 and his Master of Arts in Education Degree from Muskingum University in 2003. Bob comes to Southport with his wife Karen and daughter Kimberly.

Contempoary Worship Leader and Youth Director

Amy Edwards was born in New York. She holds a degree in Music Education from East Carolina University and taught elementary music for four years before beginning her work in Methodist churches. At Trinity UMC Amy coordinates the Youth Ministry, leads the 9:30 a.m. contemporary worship service and provides music for the 11:00 a.m. blended worship service.

Amy and her husband Ben have two children.

Children's Ministry Director

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Church Administrator

Pam was born and raised in Swainsboro, Georgia.  Pam and her husband Tony moved to Brunswick County, in the Spring of 2007.  They have lived and traveled all over the Unite States and Internationally.   Pam and Tony are very much animal lovers!  They especially love Golden Retrievers and have rescued three. They currently have a beautiful English Setter named Ranger. The Jaschke’s are very active in our church family.   

Church Pianist

Church Pianist – Cathy Furpless

Cathy Furpless has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of North Carolina and a Masters of Education from the University of South Carolina. She is now retired after 32 years as a teacher and administrator. Cathy serves as the pianist at Trinity and gives private piano lessons. Her community involvement includes the Stage II Productions Theater Company.

Cathy and her husband Bill, who is the owner of the historic AMUZU theater in Southport, have two grown daughters, Laura and Catherine.

Church Organist

Church Organist – Carolyn Williams

Carolyn Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from Campbell College, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. She taught classroom music in the Department of Defense schools at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville. Carolyn retired from the Brunswick County Schools as Principal of Supply Elementary School in 2000. She has served as Music Director, Pianist, Organist, and Chair of the Music Committee at Trinity. Carolyn is a native of Brunswick County, having been born in Southport.  She now lives in Southport .  She enjoys singing in the Chancel Choir and playing handbells with the Celebration Ringers.  She has raised Cocker Spaniel puppies in the past and hopes to soon have a new four-legged child.

Church Custodian

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Kitchen Director

Marion Martin was born and raised in Ellerbee, NC, but has lived in Southport for over 45 years. She has worked in and managed several local restaurants, is a professional seamstress and is known for her crafts and homemade jams, jellies and preserves.

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Marion and her husband Don raised three children and have two grandchildren.