About Us
Lyle Holland
Senior Pastor
Lyle is the husband of Linda, father to Maggie and Bennett, and a follower of Jesus! He is an Alabama native, born in Birmingham and raised in Decatur. In more than 25 years of pastoral ministry, Lyle has served as an associate on a large church staff, pastored small and mid-sized congregations, and was sent to a Birmingham suburb to start a United Methodist Church from scratch. As senior pastor of Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, Lyle’s primary role is to lead the congregation to effectively make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Corey Burns
Youth Ministry
Corey is the husband of Billie Jo, father to Bailey, Emma & Olivia, and a servant of Christ. He has served in various youth ministry roles over his 12 years in ministry and even pastored a small local church for nearly 3 of those years. Corey was born in Jacksonville and raised in the small neighboring community of Nances Creek. As the youth minister of Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, his focus is to lead teens into developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and modeling their faith in an ever-changing post-Christendom world. Corey’s passion in life is to disciple emerging generations to foster a profound love of God and a wasteful love for others.
corey.j.burns@gmail.com
Stacie Johnson
Director of Children's Ministries
Stacie is the wife of Matt, and mom to two four-legged fur babies, Riley and Rusty. Stacie's ministry path started in 2006 in our own daycare, Kids 1st, as the afternoon four year old teacher. She later moved into the Kids 1st office until she felt the calling transition into children's ministry. She has been part of the Children's Ministries here at JFUMC for more than 6 years. As the Director of Children's Ministries, Stacie loves every child as if they are her own and loves being able to walk alongside them as they grown in their walk of faith. Stacie enjoys creating fun and exciting opportunities for the children at JFUMC to learn about God's amazing love.
Jennifer Thomas
Kids 1st Coordinator
Jennifer is the wife of Tommy; mother to Sara, Gabriel, and Zoey; and daughter of her King, Jesus Christ! She has been an employee of Kids 1st since 2001. During her time at Kids 1st she has served as an Assistant Teacher and a Lead Teacher in both the Toddler and Nursery classrooms. In 2010, she took on the role of Kids 1st Coordinator.In this role, Jennifer's primary goal is to oversee the Kids 1st staff and the day-to-day activities of the daycare, while showing and teaching the love of God to every child and family she comes in contact with.