Our Staff
Rev. Wes Neal: Pastor
Pastor Wes and his family moved to North Carolina after teaching at Davuilevu Theological College in Fiji. He was raised in Virginia and the Philippines, and, after graduating with a BA in History and Asian Studies from the University of Michigan, has lived in both Indonesia and India. Pastor Wes has a dual calling to serve the church as both a pastor and missionary. He hopes to share the gospel like a missionary in his pastoral work, and to pastoral work that points people to the mission of God. He met his wife, Jerusha, who is currently teaching at Duke Divinity School, when they were students at Princeton Theological Seminary. Pastor Wes is a member of the Cal-Pacific Annual Conference and the very proud father of two adult kids, Mercy, and Josiah. He loves to be outside, whether in the garden or on a hiking trail with his dog.
Email Schylar Ferguson
Rev. Schylar Ferguson: Pastor of Airo Community & Asbury Communications Coordinator
Schylar Ferguson is a graduate of Duke Divinity School ‘21 and a candidate for ordained ministry in the North Carolina Conference of the UMC. Originally from Southern California, she grew up in many UMC churches in the Los Angeles and Orange County area before going to Hendrix College ‘18 in Conway, Arkansas. Hendrix was a perfect fit since their motto is “Unto the Whole Person” and she was already holding together a call to bridge the science and art of healing. Her degree in Physics and minor in Chemistry was a “natural” bridge to divinity school where she continued to discern God’s unfolding work in the world. In addition to her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School (DDS), Schylar holds certificates from DDS in: Theology, Medicine, and Culture; Faith-based Advocacy, Organizing, and Social Transformation; Methodist/Wesleyan Studies; and Preaching. Outside of church, you can find her buried in a DIY project, baking gluten-free pastries, and finding fun ways to stay active. Schylar is always up for a chat while walking Duke’s East Campus or any of Durham’s great trail systems!
Kim Philpott: Music Director
Mrs. Philpott is a pianist, vocalist, and music director who has lived and worked in Durham for a number of years. She is been married to her husband for 10 years, and they have two daughters. Kim has served as Director of Music in Methodist Churches in our area since 2001, including at Epworth UMC for 11 years, and most recently at St. Luke’s UMC in Sanford. Her experience is varied and includes adult choirs, youth choirs, children’s choirs, instrumentalists, handbells, preschool music classes and various worship ensembles. She is a graduate of Lander University in her native South Carolina, and has a Masters degree in Music Performance from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro. In addition to her work at Asbury UMC, Kim has a private music studio where she instructs students of all ages in piano and singing.
Email Marie
Marie Phelps: Administrative Assistant
Marie joined the Ministry Team at Asbury in May of 2004 after a 22 year career with Durham Technical Community College where she worked in the Marketing and Communications Department. Marie truly lives out her faith and commitment to Christ as she serves at Asbury UMC. Marie handles the administrative matters with joy and dedication and brings a wonderful spirit to all the workings of the church. Marie is from Durham, is married to Rusty, and they have three grown children, Greg, Jessica, and Travis. She is a member of Gorman Baptist Church, in Durham.
Nancy Lehman: Preschool Director
Nancy joined Asbury Preschool in September 2000, after a nineteen and a half year career in Mortgage Lending. Embracing this new career change, Nancy went back to school, and earned her A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education in May 2009. Originally from Lumberton, N.C., Nancy moved to Durham in 1978. She has been happily married to John, a V.P. at Harrington Bank, since 1998. They have two children– Grey and Lily. Nancy also has two adult children, Brad and Johanna, and a ten year old granddaughter, Carson. Nancy is an active member of Watts St. Baptist Church, serving on the Children’s Education Committee, the Children and Youth Choir Committee, the Bereavement Committee, and the Women’s Prison Ministry Team. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys movies, reading, and yearns to spend more time at the N.C. coast.
