Derrick Ouellette

Pastor | First Methodist Church of Sterling City

My family and I feel blessed to serve such a loving and open church as First Methodist Church of Sterling City. We have, without doubt, felt the welcoming love of Christ from the congregation ever since we began here, and we are hopeful that our time here will be promising and fruitful.

 

Prior to coming to FMC - SC, I served as pastor of Highland Lakes UMC in Buchanan Dam, TX.  And while finishing my seminary studies Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, I served as the Youth Director at Pflugerville UMC in Pflugerville, TX.  In addition to my work within the church, I have been serving in various positions since 2002 in the Texas Army National Guard. Through my service in the National Guard, I have been able to travel around the world and see many sights that I would not have normally been able to see. Most recently, I was called up in 2013 to serve in Afghanistan as an Army Aviator. Shortly after returning home from Afghanistan, though, I began to feel God’s call upon my heart. Through much prayer and discernment, I eventually surrendered to His calling and began walking the path of ministry. Naturally, I have since switched from being a pilot in the Army National Guard to serving within the Army Chaplain Corps.

 

Since our marriage in June 2007, my wife and I have led an exciting and adventurous life thanks to the Army, and soon after the birth of our son, Davis, in March 2012 we became eager to share our adventures with him as well. All-in-all, we feel blessed to have each other, and we work hard every day to support and nurture one another. God has truly blessed me with such a patient and loving family to be by my side.

 

If you are new to the area, or looking for a church to call home, I invite you to give us a try. My guess is that you will also experience Christ’s love in the people of FMC - SC just as I have since arriving.  I hope to see you one Sunday, but until then may the peace of Christ be with you!

Rev. Rich Jones

East District Presiding Elder | West Plains Conference

Rich was born in Oklahoma, raised in Arizona, and after serving in the United States Marine Corps settled in the great state of Texas! 


Rev. Jones is a 1997 graduate of West Texas A&M University and a 2001 graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary, He has been a director for One Way Camps at Ceta Canyon for over 20 years. Rich was the founding pastor for the Celebrate Recovery community of Saint Stephen Church in Amarillo and continues to consider 'CR' as one of the highlights of his time in ministry! 


Rich is married to Kimberly Jones, an occupational therapist with the Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute-a rehab facility for those recovering from traumatic brain and spinal injury. Together, Rich and Kimberly are the proud parents of Eli and Meleah. For fun, Rich loves to golf, ski, scuba dive, travel with family, and read spy novels. 


Rich will often challenge congregations with the statement; "The Church is the only organization in the history of humanity that exists primarily for those who are not yet a part of it!"

Rev. Rick Enns

Conference Superintendent | West Plains Conference

Rick grew up in Dalhart, TX, and has been a Methodist almost his entire life. After graduating from High school, he went to Texas Tech University and got his degree in Accounting. 


But the best thing that happened to him at Tech was meeting and eventually marrying his wife, Catherine! Rick's early calling in ministry was in the area of Administration, working at the Texas Tech Wesley

Foundation, Finance Manager of a large Methodist church in Kentucky, and as the Administrative Pastor of a large Methodist church in Plano, TX. He served as Senior Pastor at Asbury Odessa and First Methodist Canyon prior to coming on the Conference staff. 


He and his wife have a son who is attending West Texas A&M and a daughter who is married and has recently given them their first grandchild! In his spare time, Rick enjoys reading and listening to and collecting vinyl records.