Pastor – Rev. Tim Barnes
Tim grew up in a small village in north east England and moved to the U.S. at the age of 19 to Bossier City, Louisiana. After a first career in sports journalism and advertising sales, he landed at Mangum UMC in Shreveport in 2001 (age 25) as a pianist, then moved to St. Luke's UMC in Shreveport in 2003, going on to become their music director (from 2006-2016) and youth director (from 2008-2016). He graduated from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX with a Bachelors Degree in Applied Science with a double minor in religion and psychology, then graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 2017, and was ordained as an Elder in the UMC in June, 2021.
As a pastor, Tim has served at Asbury UMC in Bossier City from 2016-2020 and at St. Matthew’s UMC in Metairie from 2020-2024 before coming to FUMC Amite in July 2024. Because he spent the first portion of his life outside the church, Tim has a passion for reaching those who are on the outside looking in, as well as caring for the needs of those who are already here.
Tim and Suzanne have two grown children – Christian who is married to Callie and lives in Bossier City; and Hannah who is married to Ian, who live in Shreveport. There are no grandchildren – yet! They also have two rescue dogs, Maddie and Joseph. Being from England, Tim is an avid soccer fan, especially his favorite team, Liverpool.
Tim grew up in a small village in north east England and moved to the U.S. at the age of 19 to Bossier City, Louisiana. After a first career in sports journalism and advertising sales, he landed at Mangum UMC in Shreveport in 2001 (age 25) as a pianist, then moved to St. Luke's UMC in Shreveport in 2003, going on to become their music director (from 2006-2016) and youth director (from 2008-2016). He graduated from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX with a Bachelors Degree in Applied Science with a double minor in religion and psychology, then graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 2017, and was ordained as an Elder in the UMC in June, 2021.
As a pastor, Tim has served at Asbury UMC in Bossier City from 2016-2020 and at St. Matthew’s UMC in Metairie from 2020-2024 before coming to FUMC Amite in July 2024. Because he spent the first portion of his life outside the church, Tim has a passion for reaching those who are on the outside looking in, as well as caring for the needs of those who are already here.
Tim and Suzanne have two grown children – Christian who is married to Callie and lives in Bossier City; and Hannah who is married to Ian, who live in Shreveport. There are no grandchildren – yet! They also have two rescue dogs, Maddie and Joseph. Being from England, Tim is an avid soccer fan, especially his favorite team, Liverpool.
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Katie "Walker" Walker - Choir Director
Walker holds a Bachelors of Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University in addition to a teaching certificate in vocal music. Walker is an active member of the National and Louisiana chapter of the American Choral Directors Association for which she travels annually to attend workshops and participate in masterclasses. In addition to her role as Choir Director for First United Methodist of Amite Walker currently serves as the assistant director and librarian for Northshore Community Choir in Hammond where she resides. |
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Clytae Fluda - Organist/Accompanist
Music and music ministry have been important to Clytae throughout her life. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from LSU, and she did her post-graduate studies in music at Southeastern University. Clytae plays the organ for our traditional service, and she accompanies our choir in their ministry of music. |