our pastoral team

Jody Welker has served as Pastor and Head of Staff since July, 2004. He has served congregations in Newton, NC, Red Springs, NC, Bristol, TN, Morehead City, NC, and Auburn, AL.

Jody was raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and is married to Sharon. They have two grown children, Anna and Joe. Jody’s education includes the completion of his B.S. degree in Education at Auburn University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He has received additional training in administration, leadership development, spiritual growth, preaching and worship from the Alban Institute and other organizations.

At the Kirk, Jody is the lead pastor for preaching and worship. He provides leadership to the Session (governing body) as the moderator. His staff responsibilities include support for the Finance Committee as well as other ministry teams. He not only enjoys preaching, but also enjoys teaching. Beyond the Kirk, Jody is active in Presbytery and was a 2004 Commissioner to General Assembly.

He has a passion for youth and children as he has been a presenter for the LOGOS Systems Associates for several years. Missions are important to him as he has led mission trips to Zambia, Mexico, and Honduras over the years. Most recently, he has been an active participant in the Kirk’s Guatemala Mission partnership.

Jody enjoys social time with family and friends and attending sporting events. He plays golf as a “social duffer” and enjoys running for exercise. Jody and Sharon like to travel and especially enjoy time in the mountains.

Stephanie is Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Mission. She has been at the Kirk since 2003 and was ordained in 2005. While she moved many times in her younger years (Oxford, England; New Mexico; Illinois; Texas; New Jersey; and Louisiana). She claims Louisiana as home, though she has now lived in North Carolina for longer than anyone else.

She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Religion from Wake Forest University and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Seminary. During her time at the Kirk, Stephanie has gotten married to James “Jim” Machado Workman, another Presbyterian minister. Together, they have a very active and adorable son, Clinton, and a rescue dog named Sandy.

Melinda Merkley King is our Associate Pastor for Congregational Life and Discipleship.

She is originally from Delaware and still returns to the First State to visit friends and family. She is a 1991 graduate of James Madison University and a 1995 graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Since her ordination, Melinda has served churches throughout central North Carolina as solo pastor, director of youth ministry, stated supply associate, and supply preacher. Melinda is married to Brian King, and they have two  sons, Oliver and Isaac. Melinda’s favorite things include good books, good food, good times with family and friends, and Jazzercise.

Her mission statement is “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Jordan is the Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults. She received her Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary in 2014 and has a passion for building relationships within the Church and the world.

Jordan received her undergraduate degree in both Music Performance and Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a native of the Triangle, having grown up in Raleigh, and now lives in Durham. Jordan is married to Marc, a professional guitarist in the area, and finds great joy in cooking, being outside, and playing with their cats.

After being away from his home state over twenty-years, Dr. Larry Abernathy was called to serve as the Director of Music Ministries and Arts at the Kirk in January 2010. Prior to being called to the Kirk, he served Reid Memorial Presbyterian in Augusta, Ga. He has served congregations in Columbia, SC, and Petersburg, VA. He has one son, Lawrence.

Larry’s education includes a DMIN degree from Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, a Master of Music degree from Southern Seminary, Louisville, KY, where he was awarded the performance award in organ performance, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Wingate University. He has had post-graduate studies in Organ Performance and Choral Directing at the University of South Carolina and Peabody Conservatory.

His choirs have recorded for the Georgia Public Broadcasting Network and been invited to sing at Westabou Arts Festival and at the yearly Lessons and Carols service with the Augusta Collegium. The Kirk choir has been invited to lead in worship at Montreat Summer Worship. In addition to presenting in the public school system in SC, and serving as clinician at handbell festivals, he has served as a presenter for LOGOS Systems Associates for several years.

Jonathan Sherrod is the Temporary Associate Pastor for the Kirk of Holly Springs, the Kirk’s satellite campus in southwest Wake County. From a family of Presbyterian ministers, Jonathan is originally from South Carolina, but he has called North Carolina home for a majority of his life.

He graduated from King College in Bristol, TN, (where he first met Jody who was serving 1st Pres in Bristol) in 1987. A 1992 graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary, Jonathan has served congregations in a variety of capacities: stated supply, interim, full-time solo, and, now, Associate Pastor for a New Worshipping Community and satellite campus. He has also served the PC(USA) as a camp director for 12 years having served multi-site outdoor ministries in North and South Carolina.

Jonathan is married to Dr. Camille G. Sherrod, a veterinarian working in North Raleigh. They have a daughter,  Zane. The Sherrod’s make their home in Knightdale along with their cats and dog. Jonathan enjoys Marvel and Star Wars movies with Zane, taking walks with Camille, and cooking on the grill. While not a great golfer, he enjoys the game, especially when playing with the Presbyterian Minister’s group.

Dr. Moon Choi joined the Kirk staff in 2016. A native of South Korea, he is a pianist, organist, and collaborative musician. He earned a master’s degree at New England Conservatory of Music under Professor Victor Rosenbaum. At the Conservatory, he received multiple scholarships and won the conservatory’s honors piano competition. Granted a full scholarship, he earned another master’s degree in Collaborative Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at Michigan State University. Since coming to the USA, he also studied Organ under Dr. Tom Handel, Dr. David Lynch, and Mr. Christopher Jacobson at Duke Chapel.

As a solo recitalist and guest artist, Dr. Choi has enjoyed an active performing career throughout the United States, South Korea, Russia, and Italy. He performed at Jordan Hall in Boston and was invited to perform in the Carnegie Weill Hall in New York City.

Dr. Choi was a pianist for the Korea National Opera and performed more than 50 concerts with their artists. He worked as staff pianist for the New England Conservatory in Boston and he was invited to be an instructor for young musicians at the Iksan Art Center in South Korea.

Previously, he served as pianist for the First Presbyterian Church in Holt, Michigan, and as Music Director and Organist for the University Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan. Now, he serves as Associate Director of Music and Organist at the Kirk.