Rev. Dr. JD Landis
J. D. has served this church since 2000. He has been in the ministry since 1979 and prior to this coming here served at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in mid-town Detroit. The pastor has a vision for renewing all churches, especially the United Methodist church.
It has been exciting to serve this church which has a passion to: do outreach, share the Good News, and help persons become faithful disciples. Worship is also a large part of this congregation’s focus. The services are lively with practical messages, and a blended service with both praise music and hymns. It has been a fulfillment of a dream for J. D. to see this congregation grow in numbers and in their practical knowledge of God’s Word.
The Swartz Creek UMC is alive with activity as it reaches out in mission to the community, the Flint area, and around the world. Our building expansion allows for many different types of ministries, including a cooperative food bank, coffee houses, large concerts and statewide conferences. We welcome persons from all background to come and receive spiritual nourishment and to find their place of service in the body of Christ.
J. D.’s wife Carolyn is active in the ministry here also, teaching Sunday school, singing in the praise band, and helping out with children’s ministry. His son David recently graduated from MSU and is employed with Abbot in Virginia. Daughter Bethany is a third year student at Spring Arbor University with a combined major of communications and ministry. Natalie is 13, loves music, participates in youth activities and is on the Middle School cheerleading squad.
Hobbies: J. D. loves to sing and play the guitar, enjoys most sports, is an avid outdoors person, and loves to read about how we got our bible, and how the church has influenced the world.
Minister of Discipleship
Rachel D. Benton arrived at Swartz Creek to serve as the Minister of Discipleship in the Fall of 2009. A North Carolina native, Rachel received her undergraduate degree in religion and history at Wofford College in South Carolina, and then went on to Duke Divinity School, where she graduated with a Master of Divinity and a concentration in Christian Education in May 2008.
As Minister of Discipleship, Rachel seeks to be involved in all that inspires, encourages, and enables us to love God and our neighbors more fully. From the educational ministries of the church to an assortment of pastoral roles, Rachel finds joy in serving alongside her brothers and sisters in Christ of all ages as together they seek to shape their lives into Christian faithfulness.
Recently wedded to Jeremy, also a pastor, they are enjoying married life in Morrice where he serves Bancroft, Pittsburg, & Morrice United Methodist Churches. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her dear husband, reading, traveling, watching ACC basketball (go Duke Blue Devils!), rhythmic gymnastics, walking around barefoot, eating chocolate, and skipping rocks.
Youth Minister
Brian is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems. After working in Midland for Dow Chemical for 8 years, Brian came to UMCSC in July of 2003 to lead the youth ministry program. He is also a musician playing the trumpet, guitar and a little bit of piano. He is involved with the church softball team and leads the Tuesday night Adult Basketball program at the church. He is also an active runner often running over 35 miles in a given week.
Brian has been married to MaDonna since 2003 and they have one son, Sam (born April 13, 2005) and one daughter Anna (born February 12, 2009). MaDonna is a 1st Grade teacher at Elms Road Elementary in Swartz Creek and is a fabulous singer. Brian and MaDonna are both members of the praise team.
Brian is passionate about providing as many youth as possible with opportunities to experience God in various settings. His biggest hope is to see our teens have the chance to know God in unique ways and then be touched enough by His love that they can’t wait to serve Him for years to come.
Choir Director
Richard Moreland has served as Director of Music at Swartz Creek United Methodist Church since 1972. He conducts eight different ensembles from age 3 through adult including choirs, hand bells and an instrumental ensemble of band and orchestra instruments. At the request of several orchestra members, Richard began orchestrating selections from The Faith We Sing with the goal of making these pieces accessible to instrumental soloists and ensembles from duets to full orchestra. The results can be found on Cokesbury.com under Digital Music.
Richard’s wife, Hope, recently retired as Director of Christian Education at Swartz Creek church. They have two children, Laurel Graves of Swartz Creek, and Randall Moreland of Miami, Florida. They have three grandchildren, Livia Moreland of Miami, and Brendan and Delaney Graves of Swartz Creek who spend a couple days each week with Nana and Papa. Brendan and Delaney delight in coming to “God’s House” where they represent the third generation to be part of the same congregation.
Richard grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska and came to Michigan to be near Hope’s family. For 27 years he taught middle school band for Swartz Creek Community Schools. He and his wife have co-written several Christmas plays for Group Publishing. Rich’s hobbies include walking and hiking, composing and arranging music (with several published works) and playing computer games.