Meet the Ministry Staff
Reverend Martha K. McLean, Senior Pastor
The Reverend Martha K. McLean (second from left) is an Elder in the NC Conference of The United Methodist Church appointed to serve Asbury UMC in Durham. She is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, where she received a B.S. in Business Administration, and also of Duke Divinity, where she received a Masters of Divinity degree.
Martha is originally from Fayetteville NC but also lived in the NC mountains for several years where she and her husband (Ken) had a design, construction, and real estate company. They built custom homes and light commercial projects in the resort communities until Ken’s calling into ordained ministry. While Ken was at Duke Divinity he served as Associate Pastor of Haymount UMC in Fayetteville, and Martha worked as District Director for US Congressman Mike McIntyre (7th District NC). It was during this time that Martha also answered God’s calling into ordained ministry.
The Reverend Ken McLean, (far right) is a graduate of The NC State School of Design and also of Duke Divinity. He is an Elder in the NC Conference of The United Methodist Church serving Abundant Life UMC, a new church plant in Cary, NC.
They have two children. John, (far left), is a sophomore at Duke University pursing a major in Religion and minor in Computer Science. He is active in the Wesley Fellowship at Duke. Anne, (second from right) is a freshman at NC State College of Textiles this fall.
The McLean Family is thankful to have each other’s support and encouragement; they work together to respond to God’s calling.
Katie B. Anthony, Student Associate Pastor
Katie B. Anthony is a Master of Divinity candidate at Duke Divinity School and works with Asbury UMC as the Student Associate Pastor. She is helping to expand the young adult ministries and other ministry areas such as Outreach, and Witness and Evangelism. We are thrilled to be in ministry together and praise God for Katie—she is an answered prayer!
Katie is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and grew up as an active member of Crown Heights United Methodist Church. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Political Science at Duke University. As a student, Katie was a member of the Duke Varsity Field Hockey team and co-founded the Duke-Durham Tennis Project, an initiative to connect the University community with inner-city Durham youth. While living in Durham as an undergraduate student she attended worship at Asbury, which she found to be a loving faith community which inspired growth in her relationship with God. After graduating from Duke, she worked as a communications consultant in Washington D.C. After settling outside of D.C., she became an active member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church where her passion for God and ministry grew.
Katie served a Duke Divinity Field Education placement as a 2010 Summer Associate at Spring Hill United Methodist Church in Mamers, North Carolina. She is excited to be back at Asbury UMC this year for the opportunity to learn and serve. Katie is eager to work with members in an effort to share the love of Christ with the greater Durham community.
Jeff Hammack, Organist & Choir Director
Jeff Hammack has served as Asbury’s organist and choir director since 2002 with a brief break while in Atlanta, GA. He has been a full time banker since graduating from Radford University in 1991 where he majored in English, minored in business, and studied organ with Dr. Marilyn Meador. He currently works as a corporate auditor for RBC Bank, Inc.
Jeff enjoys the classics from the Baroque and Romantic periods and also enjoys contemporary music. He believes that worship of God is best served by “blending” the old and the new to ensure that our history in faith is fairly represented and so he welcomes guest and solo musicians who bring additional musical talents.
Jeff is an active member of the Raleigh Chapter American Guild of Organists and serves as the Raleigh Chapter Sub-Dean. He passed the AGO Certified Organist Playing test in 2010 and has participated in recitals in churches throughout the Triangle.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending time with his Yorkie, Bailey, who recently became a Methodist just like his Dad! Jeff enjoys movies, cars, striped ties, and anything to do with Cajun food and Louisiana.
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.
Felecia Griffin, Nursery Attendant
Felecia Griffin is our Nursery Assistant. Born in Edenton NC, Felecia has been a resident of Durham for the last 12 years. She is happily married and the proud mother of 3 children, Tiffany (16 years), Omar (12 years) and Jaleel (1 year).
Felecia brings with her many years of experience working with children. She owned a daycare for 10 years. Felicia also enjoys cooking, photography and scrapbooking.
Tommie McDowell, Custodian
This bio is currently being updated.
