Pastor Michelle was appointed to Dilworth Church in July 2018. She has been in the local church ministry for 30 plus years and can’t imagine any other vocation she would love more.  Before coming to Dilworth Church, she served at Central UMC here in Charlotte as Senior Pastor. Michelle received a Bachelor of Music from Appalachian State University (Go Mountaineers!) and a Master of Divinity Degree from Southeastern BTS in Wake Forest in 1990. She started her work in ministry in the area of music and slowly switched to pastoral duties until becoming a solo pastor in 2001. She shares her home with a crazy, loving, rescued German Shepherd, Willa. Though she has no children, she is aunt, grandmother, and all things to her two nephews and one niece. Any time you are at Dilworth Church, just pop your head in her office. She would love to chat with you.

Pastor Justin Robins was appointed to Dilworth Church in July 2025. He grew up in Mechanicsville Virginia, just north of Richmond and attended Virginia Wesleyan University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Religious Studies (2021). Justin graduated from Duke Divinity School in the spring of 2024, where he cultivated a deep passion for Wesleyan doctrine and the empowerment of oppressed persons. Before coming to Dilworth, Justin served as a resident chaplain at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center, offering care to those navigating sickness, trauma, and grief. He also served as a youth pastor in Albemarle, where he valued unique and creative experiences of the gospel.

Justin married his best friend, Amber Danielle Wray Robins, in the summer of 2024. Together they welcomed their first child, Lillian Paige Robins, on April 25, 2025. In his free time, he loves being with his family, water skiing on Lake Gaston, acting, and diving into tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Anytime you’re around Dilworth Church, feel free to say hello, he’d love to meet you.

Sallie Anna has served at Dilworth Church since January 2016. She is from Clinton, South Carolina. She attended Clemson University with a Bachelor in Communication Studies. She has been known to sport orange and tiger stripe clothing after Clemson wins. She received her Masters of Arts in Practical Theology from Pfeifer University. She hopes to see all of the man-made wonders of the world. Pop in her office to socialize or grab a piece of candy.

As Director of Children’s Ministries, Anna serves children ages Birth-5^th grade along with their families. She delivers a weekly “Think About It Moment” in worship, plans and leads groups for children, supports the campus schools, organizes mission and outreach projects for families, and seeks to involve children and their families in all aspects of worship and discipleship. Anna has lived in Atlanta, GA, New York City, and various cities in North Carolina. She and her husband, Matt, have a daughter (Claire), a son (Henry), and a dog (Otis). Anna earned her BA degree in elementary education and Master of Experienced Educators in Literacy from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a Master of Information and Library Science from UNC-Greensboro. Anna loves connecting people and providing space for children to explore their faith in nurturing, fun ways and to feel loved by God and their church family.

Lauren has been a member of Dilworth UMC since 2012, and has lived in Charlotte since 2009. Originally from Richmond VA, she attended James Madison University where she received degrees in Economics and Finance. Since graduating, she has worked in various accounting, finance and HR functions. She is a licensed CPA in NC (inactive status). In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, walking, biking, and spending time with her family. Please stop by her office and say hello!

Madison joined the Dilworth UMC staff in October 2021. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in August of 2021 with a degree in Mass Media Communications and a minor in History. She was born and raised in Charlotte and lived briefly in Pittsburgh, PA while attending school there before transferring to UNCC. In her free time, Madison enjoys reading, going to concerts, and scouring local antique stores for typewriters, rotary phones, and film cameras. She hopes to travel more and visit all of the landmarks on her list! Drop by her office any time to say hello!

Mark has served as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Pastoral Counselor in the Charlotte area since the early 1990s. His counseling office is in Dilworth Church. For more information about his services check here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mark-larson-counseling-consulting-pllc-charlotte-nc/803796. He also teaches workshops at Dilworth Church and in other nearby faith congregations. He enjoys playing instruments and singing in the Dilworth Worship Band and Choir. Mark has a BA in education, an M.Div and Doctor of Ministry plus several professional certifications. Originally from Minneapolis Minnesota, he has been a North Carolinian since 1982. He leads bands (under the name Mark Larson Combo). You can check them out on facebook and Instagram. Also, he can be found playing music regularly in area Senior Centers with his friend John Tosco of ToscoMusic.
Email: counselorlarson@gmail.com

Kelly has been at Dilworth since September 2010. She received her Bachelor from  UNC-Chapel Hill in Psychology and her Master of Education in Child and Family Studies at UNC Charlotte. She is originally from Connecticut and is often known to break out into song, frequently throughout the day!

Anita has served at the Dilworth Child Development center since November 1978. She started as a teacher and has moved her way to Assistant Director. Anita attended Central Piedmont Community College and has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood education. She is married to Cyrus and has 3 lovely daughters Jayln, Shanita, and Jayla. In her spare time, she enjoys quiet time and watching Lifetime movies. Anita is a Dallas Cowboys fan and loves to play softball. She is quick to share movies and life advice.

Ellison began her time at Dilworth Weekday School as a parent in 2020. Prior to taking over as Director, Ellison served as Assistant Director, Director of Summer Programs, and Lead 2s Teacher. Ellison graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications, and from Winthrop University with a Master’s degree in Counseling and Development. Ellison worked as a school-based mental health counselor before taking time off to have children. She has two elementary-aged daughters.

In addition to working at Dilworth United Methodist Church, Zach Thompson is also the Middle School and High School Choir Director and Worship Leadership Teacher at Covenant Day School in Matthews, North Carolina. He holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Austin Peay State University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Slippery Rock University. He has been selected for several international choral conducting symposiums and apprenticeship programs including the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Choral Conductors’ Symposium in Canada and the Berkshire Choral Festival Conductor Apprentice Program in Ireland. His articles are published in the North Carolina Music Educator Journal and the Florida Music Director Journal.

Brenda Fernandez began her career making her Carnegie Hall debut performing in recital with a double bassist in 1986 and one month later was an emergency substitute pianist to perform Les Noces at the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase. She left NYC and performed throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America as Music Director for a 5 piece jazz band and Vegas-style shows working with Ray Stephens, former lead singer/policeman of the Village People, by playing piano, synthesizer, and violin in the shows and piano and trumpet in the jazz band.

Brenda lived for 20 years in the Raleigh area where she was faculty at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC playing for all applied lesson activities, the Chorus and Chorale, taught beginning group piano, keyboarding, applied lessons, and was the faculty advisor for SAI. She also taught through the Community School and played for the Capital City Girls Choirs under the direction of founder Dr. Fran Page with whom she performed throughout Europe and British Columbia. Ms. Fernandez began playing for the NCMEA High School All-State Choirs in 2015 and has collaborated with numerous Wake County High School Choirs for their concerts and competitions.