Our Staff
Adam F. Seate – is the Pastor of St. Luke, and he has been here since July of 2008. Adam received his Bachelor of Arts at Campbell University, and his Master of Divinity from Duke University. He has served appointments throughout the North Carolina Conference, and has been active with conference youth ministry throughout his ministry. Adam is married to Jennifer Seate, who is an attorney with the law firm Leone, Noble, and Seate in Raleigh, NC. Together, they are the proud parents of two young sons, Jacob (11) and Aaron (9). His email address is:
Sonja Emerson - Part-time Director of Christian Education at St. Luke United Methodist Church for twelve years. She is a full-time educator with the Wayne County Public Schools system where she has been employed for the past 28 years. Sonja recently completed her teaching career working as a special education teacher for a total of thirty years and will begin the 2008-09 school year as an assistant principal at Tommy’s Road Elementary School in Wayne County. Sonja is married and has two adult stepsons, two daughters in college and one step-grandson. She is active in several civic and community organizations supporting her belief in teaching children and supporting their families. Sonja believes every child is God’s gift to us and all are responsible to “show and tell” each child that God loves and cares for them.
Rhonda Coakley - Youth Director. Rhonda is new to the position as of September1. Bringing to the job 20 years of experience in Wayne County public schools, she is a full time AIG Specialist in the school system. She is married to Kevin Coakley, manager of Accu-Copy of Goldsboro and has two children, Miller and Rainee. Rhonda has great expectations for the UMYF and embraces the challenges and rewards of a healthy, growing youth program.
Bess Edwards-Sawyer – Director of Music Ministries/Organist of St. Luke where she oversees and conducts a graded instrumental and choral program for all ages; 3 years – Senior Citizens. Choirs include Kindermusik training for preschoolers, Orff ensembles, Handbell choirs and choral ensembles. She is a graduate of Greensboro College with a Bachelor of Church Music Degree and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a Master of Music in Organ. She and her husband, Bill have two grown children, Weil and Catheran-Bess Sawyer