our pastoral team

The Kirk Session is pleased to welcome Rev. David Wiseman as the latest addition to our staff, serving as Bridge Interim Pastor until the full-time interim is selected. Some of you will know David from his 26 years as Head of Staff at Cary Presbyterian, 1978-2004. Growing up outside Cincinnati, Ohio and graduating from Miami University (Ohio) with a BA in English, he received his MDiv from Princeton Seminary, following which he was granted Princeton’s Pastoral Overseas Fellowship which included a year of study at The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. In addition to Cary Presbyterian, he has served churches in West Trenton, New Jersey; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and West Hartford, Connecticut. From 2005-2008, David and his wife Jeannene, also a Princeton Seminary graduate, served as PCUSA Mission Co-workers in Guatemala, introducing the first team of Kirk volunteers to the struggling yet welcoming community of Palá.

David’s particular gifts for ministry include Pastoral Care and Counseling, worship leadership and preaching, plus supporting congregations during times of transition. He lives by the adage “Change is how God grows us.” David and Jeannene have two adult sons: Jesse who lives in Raleigh and Seth who lives in Boston with his wife Cassie and their two rambunctious sons, ages 6 and 3. David considers it a great privilege to serve at the Kirk during this “wrinkle in time.”

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.

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.