Hello
Meet our Leadership
In 2023, Theotokos retreats will be blessed
again by the leadership of Rev. Karen Kluever, Rev. Dr. Heidi Miller, Rev. Taylor Pafford, Adam Mottershead, and Rev. Perry Washington, Jr. Check out all of our
leader bios, below, along with info about our
Theotokos Advisory Team members.
Retreat Leadership
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Elementary/Middle School Religion Teacher
St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta, GA
Deacon, North Georgia Conference
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Taylor has served in children’s, youth, and worship ministries at churches in Atlanta, Columbia (SC), and at the Lake Junaluska Conference Center (NC). She has a passion for performing arts and works to incorporate the arts into all aspects of her ministry. She'll be bringing her passion and gifts to our retreats in the creative and engaging telling of biblical stories of call and in the Gifts Workshop. Taylor is currently completing her doctorate of ministry in arts and theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
Rev. Perry Washington Jr.
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Ordained Minister; Director of Development, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Baltimore; Founder & Principal Partner,
Ubuntu Partners, LLC
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A native of Moorhead, MS, Perry attributes his love and concern for humanity to his humble upbringing. He received his undergrad degree in religion and communication studies at Morehouse College and later completed a dual master of arts in religion and education from The Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary. Perry received the master of theology from Candler School of Theology and recently served as director of Pfeiffer University's Youth Theological Institute. Perry helps lead our Theotokos large group sessions, offering reflections on biblical stories of call.
Adam Mottershead
Rev. Taylor Driskill Pafford
Rev. Karen Kluever
Ministry Intern & Worship Leader
Cullowhee UMC, Cullowhee, NC
Western NC Conference
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Adam is delighted to serve as our Theotokos worship music leader once again! Having grown up in The UMC, Adam has spent a lot of time working in the contemporary worship space. He leads worship for the Wesley Foundation at Western Carolina University, serves as a ministry intern and youth counselor at Cullowhee UMC, and has also served as program director for Highland UMC
summer camps. Adam is a big believer in creating a fun, safe, and welcoming church environment for all.
Rev. Karen Kluever
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Rev. Karen Kluever
Minister of Church Relations
Hinton Rural Life Center
Hayesville, NC
Deacon, Kentucky Conference
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One of Karen’s former youth recalled her confirmation retreat experience as the time when “it all came together for me.” Karen's hope for Theotokos retreats is that "it all comes together” for the youth and adults who attend and that their hearts are "strangely warmed. ” Karen has undergrad and graduate degrees in journalism and was on the design and writing team for the UM Credo Confirmation curriculum. She received her master's in Christian education from Pfeiffer University and completed theological studies through Wesley Theological Seminary. Karen served in youth ministry for 25 years in NC, SC, and KY before coming to Hinton Rural Life Center in 2018. She coordinates the Theotokos retreats and helps lead the large group sessions.
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Rev. Dr. Heidi A. Miller
Associate Professor of Spirituality and
Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
McAfee School of Theology
Mercer University, Atlanta, GA.
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For over 20 years, Heidi has been training “sojourners” and designing curriculum in spiritual guidance, worship, and leadership.
She has served as a medical social worker and a counselor in the school system and has worked with business execs and health care providers regarding values-based leadership. Heidi has also consulted with congregations and organizations undergoing transition and trauma. As part of the Theotokos leadership team, she leads Chapel worship, with services of baptism renewal/anticipation and Holy Communion. Ordained in the Mennonite Church, Heidi has served as staff and adjunct faculty at Duke University and on the faculty at Pfeiffer and Southern Methodist universities and works with United Methodist conferences throughout the United States.
Worskshop Leaders
Rev. Dawn Martin
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Dawn Martin
Presence Workshop
Dawn is a deacon in the East Ohio Conference and has served as director of program ministries at Hinton Rural Life Center since 2015.
Rev. Wil Posey
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Dawn Martin
Gifts Workshop
Wil is an elder in the Western NC Conference and is the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Murphy, NC.
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Gifts Workshop
Margaret is a deacon in the North Georgia Conference and serves as Minister of Discipleship at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC.
Vicki Lawrence
Hinton Summer Staffers
Rev. Margaret Freeman
Gifts Workshop
Vicki serves as assistant pastor and minister of youth & nurture at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC.
Hinton Summer Staffers
Hinton Summer Staffers
Hinton Summer Staffers
Service Workshop
College staffers from Hinton Rural Life
Center's Summer Mission Outreach Program will lead a poverty perspectives activity and hour of service in Hinton’s firewood and
garden ministries.
Theotokos Advisory Team
Sallie Anna Broome
Rev. Dr. Sheila E. Hodge
Rev. Michael Goldston
Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries Dilworth UMC, Charlotte, NC
Western North Carolina Conference
Rev. Michael Goldston
Rev. Dr. Sheila E. Hodge
Rev. Michael Goldston
Writer and lecturer, Greenville Technical Community College: Greenville, SC
Elder, South Carolina Conference
Rev. Dr. Sheila E. Hodge
Rev. Dr. Sheila E. Hodge
Rev. Dr. Sheila E. Hodge
Pastor, Silver Hill Memorial UMC
Spartanburg, SC
Elder, South Carolina Conference