Rev. Andrew Wolfe
Senior Pastor
Reverend Wolfe is a native of Taylors, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Clemson University and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Rev. Wolfe is married to his wife, Paige and they have three children. He enjoys playing pickleball and tennis, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Hannah Horton
The Gathering Worship Leader
After years of studying music ministry, Hannah was hired in 2022 as the contemporary worship leader for The Gathering, our contemporary service. She is also a dog mom, is married to Taylor Williams, and has a love for baking and pastries.
Jane Easler
Children’s Director/United Youth Coordinator
Jane is a product of Spartanburg schools, graduating from Dorman High School and Converse College. The first half of her career was in the manufacturing sector while she spent her free time volunteering with children and teens. Jane joined the St. James UMC staff after deciding to pursue her calling for working with kids of all ages.
Mary Lu Saylor
Church Administrator/Financial Secretary/Communications Coordinator
Mary Lu serves as our Church Administrator, a job she accepted in 2020. She is responsible for overseeing the operations of the church, assisting our pastor, scheduling use of our facility, and taking care of the financial side of things at St. James.
In 2018, she took over the role of Communications Coordinator for St. James. She has expanded the message of the church through social media. Mary Lu creates the weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, email communications, and maintains the website. Pretty much anything that has to do with communication is in her domain.
Mary Lu and her husband, Dale were married at St. James in 2002. Dale is a Mathematics instructor at USC Upstate She is a mother and grandmother.
Mary Lu says she feels blessed to be able to serve St. James where she is a member.
Betty Doll
Director of Music
Betty (Farley) Doll grew up in Sumter, SC and received a B.S. Degree in music education from Winthrop University and a Master's Degree in Christian Education from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has two sons: Burke, who is in marketing in Richmond, Virginia and Gordon, a middle school Spanish teacher, who lives in Spartanburg with his wife Diane and their son Benjamin.
Throughout Betty's life, music has always been her greatest passion. After teaching music in public schools for 35 years, Betty retired in 2013. She has also taught private piano lessons as well as having served as pianist and organist at different churches. She enjoys working in her yard, walking, and baking. "Miss Betty's Sugar Cookies" are a special treat to experience and are always a bid magnet at St. James' annual Fall Festival Silent Auction.
Coming to St. James in February of 1999 as Director of Music was an answered prayer for her and continues to be a special blessing. It has been a real joy in her life to lead and direct the Chancel Choir, the Youth Choir, and the Children's Choir as well as to encourage others to share their talents by singing, playing instruments, or leading other groups like the Handbell Choir. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to nurture and instill the love and understanding of music to our youth and children and to witness their growth in faith, music, and ministry. Betty welcomes suggestions and help with the music ministry of the church. She always has an eagle's eye out for volunteers to sing in the Chancel Choir and help with the other choirs.
Connie Gillespie
Organist
Connie grew up in Woodruff, SC and continued her musical studies as a Piano Performance major at Converse College, including four years of organ study. She has two adult children, Dave and Donna Ann, and many wonderful grandchildren who all live in Spartanburg. Connie loves all activities involving her grandchildren and spends a lot of time cooking with her younger granddaughter.
Connie teaches piano and loves teaching all ages. She hopes to always "make music fun." Connie has gifted numerous churches with her passion and talent and joined the St. James staff as organist in 1994. Her duties at St. James include working with the Pastor and Music Director to provide organ and keyboard music for church services, special presentations, weddings, and funerals.
Linda Watson
Administrative Assistant
Linda Watson serves as the Administrative Assistant in the St. James church office. She also has been a member since 1991. Linda, and her husband Frank, sing in the Chancel Choir.
After retiring from a 30-year teaching career, Linda has been working in the St. James office for about 15 years. Her current responsibilities include maintaining attendance records, assisting with processing bill payments, organizing newsletter mailings, scheduling liturgists, communion workers, and nursery workers.
Brooke Gibson
Kindergarten Director
Brooke Gibson serves as the Kindergarten Director with a heart full of compassion and a deep commitment to nurturing young minds. Originally from Gaffney, SC, she is a graduate of Limestone University. She and her husband, Tyler, have called Spartanburg home since 2017, where they are raising their two incredibly brave sons, Layton and Casen. Layton was born with a heart defect, and Casen lives with cerebral palsy—challenges that have profoundly shaped Brooke’s journey as a mother and strengthened her faith. These experiences have not only deepened her relationship with God but have also molded her into the loving, patient, and intentional leader she is today. Brooke’s children led her to St. James in 2021, and since then, she has poured her heart into creating a warm, faith-filled environment where children can thrive.