Bonus Season: Light on the Hill: Faith and Leadership in the Midst of Disaster | Episode 1
Leading Through the Storm from Kerrville First UMC
Overview
In this episode of the Igniting Imagination® podcast, we reflect on the devastating floods that struck Kerrville, Texas earlier this summer. The disaster claimed lives, destroyed homes, and left the community reeling. Yet in the midst of loss, powerful stories of resilience, faith, and compassion shine through.
Host Rev. Lisa Greenwood speaks with guests Beth Palmer, Outreach Director of Kerrville First United Methodist Church, and Rev. David E. Payne, Senior Pastor of Kerrville First United Methodist Church. Both were on the front lines of the response. They share moving accounts of the chaotic first hours after the flood, the emotional and logistical challenges of leading in crisis, and how their church transformed into a hub of relief, recovery, and long-term support.
This conversation is both sobering and hopeful, a reminder of the church’s vital role in times of disaster.
Meet Our Guests
Rev. David E. Payne
Rev. David E. Payne is the Senior Pastor of Kerrville First United Methodist Church. David became the Sr. Pastor of KFUMC in July of 2017. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary and has also pastored at Los Fresnos UMC, Bee Creek UMC (a church he helped to start), and Harlingen FUMC. David is married to Lori (a former Special Education teacher), and they have two daughters, Sydney (married to Taylor Chamness) and Haley. He also has two grandchildren named Denver Mae and Chipper. David enjoys golf, downhill skiing, and enjoying the outdoors. David and Lori have two "fur babies:" Sparkle and Stella.
"I'm still amazed that God has given someone like me the privilege of being a pastor," says David. "If he is willing to offer me grace, hope, love, and joy then I'm going to do my best to offer the same to others. I'm willing to try anything and everything... go anywhere and everywhere... at anytime and every time to make sure that anyone and everyone knows how much they are loved by Jesus!"
Beth Palmer
Beth Palmer is the Outreach Director at the Kerrville First United Methodist Church and Light on the Hill at Mount Wesley. As Outreach Director, Beth’s main role is that of a connector. She links people to hope and needs to resources. Beth recruits and engages unpaid servants (volunteers), organizes projects and events, provides education and training, mobilizes resources, collaborates and networks with other nonprofits, and writes, implements and manages grants.
Beth loves Jesus and feels privileged to get to share the love of Christ with others. Beth is a life-long learner and has a desire to continuously grow and improve. She sees failure as a learning opportunity and not the end to a dream. Beth is a motivator. She uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Beth will be the first to tell you that she is blessed to be a small part of a great team of staff and unpaid servants that work so hard, with such joy, they inspire her every single day!
Beth graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in kinesiology in 1984. She taught and coached in Ingram ISD for 16 years prior to becoming the Youth Director at KFUMC in the summer of 2000. In 2013, she stepped into the role of Outreach Director at KFUMC and in the fall of 2018, she became the director of Light on the Hill, as well.
Beth and her husband Grant have been married over 41 years and have two awesome sons, one amazing daughter, two incredible daughters-in- law, and three absolutely delightful grandchildren!
Rev. David E. Payne is the Senior Pastor of Kerrville First United Methodist Church. David became the Sr. Pastor of KFUMC in July of 2017. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary and has also pastored at Los Fresnos UMC, Bee Creek UMC (a church he helped to start), and Harlingen FUMC. David is married to Lori (a former Special Education teacher), and they have two daughters, Sydney (married to Taylor Chamness) and Haley. He also has two grandchildren named Denver Mae and Chipper. David enjoys golf, downhill skiing, and enjoying the outdoors. David and Lori have two "fur babies:" Sparkle and Stella.
"I'm still amazed that God has given someone like me the privilege of being a pastor," says David. "If he is willing to offer me grace, hope, love, and joy then I'm going to do my best to offer the same to others. I'm willing to try anything and everything... go anywhere and everywhere... at anytime and every time to make sure that anyone and everyone knows how much they are loved by Jesus!"
Beth Palmer is the Outreach Director at the Kerrville First United Methodist Church and Light on the Hill at Mount Wesley. As Outreach Director, Beth’s main role is that of a connector. She links people to hope and needs to resources. Beth recruits and engages unpaid servants (volunteers), organizes projects and events, provides education and training, mobilizes resources, collaborates and networks with other nonprofits, and writes, implements and manages grants.
Beth loves Jesus and feels privileged to get to share the love of Christ with others. Beth is a life-long learner and has a desire to continuously grow and improve. She sees failure as a learning opportunity and not the end to a dream. Beth is a motivator. She uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Beth will be the first to tell you that she is blessed to be a small part of a great team of staff and unpaid servants that work so hard, with such joy, they inspire her every single day!
Beth graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in kinesiology in 1984. She taught and coached in Ingram ISD for 16 years prior to becoming the Youth Director at KFUMC in the summer of 2000. In 2013, she stepped into the role of Outreach Director at KFUMC and in the fall of 2018, she became the director of Light on the Hill, as well.
Beth and her husband Grant have been married over 41 years and have two awesome sons, one amazing daughter, two incredible daughters-in-law- law, and three absolutely delightful grandchildren!
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