Vern has been on staff at Boone UMC since the fall of 1998. He has been a part of seeing a thriving Youth Ministry emerge and more recently has been given the opportunity to lead Crossroads, the newest worship gathering.

A native of Greensboro, Vern first came to the mountains of Boone as a student at ASU, where he graduated with a degree in English. He met his wife Piper in 1999 and they married in the Fall of 2001. They have five children and love all that living in the High Country has to offer.

Vern’s desire is to see people of all ages come to live and walk in the fullness of what it means to be loved by the Lord and accepted by Him through His Son Jesus. Hehas a passion for reaching people for Christ and helping people in our church authentically share their faith.He also ministers to an underserved demographic in our area – young professionals and graduate students.

Through Crossroads, Vern’s desire is to, of course, see people come in to the church who are not a part of the church, but also to work to repair relationships with those who have become disenchanted with the church and who tend to ask the question, “Why does the church not look much like who I understand Jesus to be?”