Tara Culp Lain was born and raised in Wilmington, NC. She graduated from Hoggard High School, Peace College, and received her B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill. She completed her MDiv at Duke Divinity School.

Tara served most recently as the pastor of Trinity UMC in Wilmington. Over the years, she served in youth and children’s ministry, program ministry, as minister of visitation, and as the Volunteer Ministries Coordinator at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC.

Tara is married to Rev. Doug Lain, who serves Wrightsville UMC. They have three children: Olivia, Emily, and Everett.

Ashley has served as Administrative Assistant to the District Superintendent (AADS) since February 2020. With a background in education, she enjoys supporting district leadership, clergy, and churches through organization, clear communication, and steady encouragement.

A Pitt County native and lifelong United Methodist, Ashley is a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Greenville. She is grateful to serve alongside clergy and laity across the Beacon and Sound Districts. Outside of work, she is a proud mom to her daughters, Ava and Elizabeth, and enjoys time with family, trips to the beach, and caring for her pets.

Kim Rice Smith is a believer in taking church outside of the building and into the schools and neighborhoods where people need to see the presence of Christ in each of us. Along with her husband Larry, we are part of a family business that has served our hometown for over 50 years.

Along with her husband, Larry, she is part of a family business that has served their hometown for more than 50 years.

In her spare time, Kim writes a LOT and most often about her faith. She is the author of four books and writes a daily, faith-filled blog. It’s her therapy and one of the ways she shares her messy servant heart with others as she tries to grow in her relationship with Christ.

Kim’s strangely weird and eclectic life is an example of the beauty that can happen when we simply follow where Christ leads. She has learned to just buckle up and let Him use me for His glory!

She is excited to be serving as District Lay Leader for the Sound District and asks for grace as she finds her way in His service.

You can reach out to Kim at [email protected].