• A smiling middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and a checked blue shirt in an indoor setting.

    Shawn Blackwelder

    PASTOR

    sblackwelder@genesis-umc.org

    Shawn Blackwelder came to Genesis as Senior Pastor in July of 2023. He grew up in Florida, but settled in North Carolina in 1994 after he met his wife, Cheryl. A graduate of Webber International University with a degree in Business, and Duke Divinity School with a Master of Divinity degree. He has a passion for linking the church with needs in the community and for rediscovering ancient forms of prayer and Christian practices.

  • Close-up of a smiling man with dark hair, glasses, wearing a black blazer and a striped shirt, in a bright indoor space with windows in the background.

    Seyun Hwang

    ASSOCIATE PASTOR

    shwang@genesis-umc.org

    In July 2023, Seyun became a part of the Genesis family, assuming the role of Associate Pastor. Growing up in South Korea, he felt a calling to serve in ministry, which led him to study at the Methodist Theological University in Seoul, focusing on Wesleyan Theology and Christian Ethics. In 2015, he relocated to North Carolina to further his studies at Duke Divinity School, where he earned his Master of Divinity (Summa Cum Laude) in 2018.

  • A smiling middle-aged woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, blue eyes, and earrings, wearing a dark blue dress with colorful floral and bird patterns, standing indoors near a window with green outdoor scenery in the background.

    Michele Hundley

    YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

    mhundley@genesis-umc.org

    Michele and her husband, Robert, joined Genesis in 2006. In the fall of 2007 Michele stepped up to help out in Youth Ministries as a volunteer and in 2011 she became the director. Michele has a MS degree from Radford University in Counseling Psychology. She is the mom of two grown kids. She loves teaching the Bible and mentoring students!

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, wearing a light-colored blazer with a floral pattern over a light blouse, indoors with a blurred background.

    Christina Johnson (She/Her)

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

    cjohnson@genesis-umc.org

    Christina Johnson joined the Genesis team in 2022. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and has been leading church music groups for over 20 years. She has a passion for worshipping God through music of all types and creating space for musicians of all skill levels to use their gifts. She is married to her best friend, Chris, and has three wonderful daughters. She enjoys vacationing at the lake, cheering for the University of Georgia, and traveling to new places with her family.

  • A man wearing glasses, a brown blazer, black shirt, and red tie stands behind a music stand and gestures with his hands, appearing to be giving a speech or presentation in a room with a piano in the background.

    Aaron Brown

    CHOIR DIRECTOR

    abrown@genesis-umc.org

    A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Aaron Brown resides in Durham NC and serves as the Director of Vocal Music at Cardinal Gibbons High School. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Brown is serving as Co-Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the North Carolina chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2023, he was awarded the Choral Impact Award from the North Carolina chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

  • Close-up of smiling man with glasses, beard, and short brown hair wearing a dark button-up shirt.

    Rob Stone

    COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMIN DIRECTOR

    rstone@genesis-umc.org

    Rob is the point person for all things communications, administration, and finance related at Genesis. He joined the staff in 2023, after serving 17 years as a local pastor. He loves to help you tell the story of God’s grace in engaging and compelling ways. Rob is a musician and an Arsenal FC supporter.

    Rob serves as the worship leader for our sister church, Orange UMC, in Chapel Hill.