Appointed to Trinity in July 2021, Michelle previously served as pastor of St. Mark UMC, Charleston, associate pastor at Simpsonville UMC and Aldersgate UMC, Greenville, and pastor of Green Pond UMC, Gray Court. She was born in Western North Carolina and grew up primarily in Greenville, SC. She graduated from USC Upstate when it was USCS with a BS in Biology, a BA in Political Science. She then attended Northern Illinois University and earned a MA in Public Policy and Biopolitics.
After working for a number of years, marrying husband Chris, and having son Joshua, she was called into the ministry. She graduated from Duke Divinity School and was commissioned as a provisional elder in 2010. Michelle was ordained in 2013. She loves preaching, creative altar design, and seeing people come alive in their faith. She loves coffee, chocolate, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches, and ice cream. She is a Star Wars and Marvel fan (she had no choice with Chris & Joshua). She enjoys the outdoors and her and Chris' new (to them) sailboat on Lake Hartwell. And like most pastors, she loves, and usually needs a good Sunday afternoon nap!
You can reach Pastor Michelle at 864-585-4884 ext. 11.
Ben Chumley has served as Trinity’s Director of Music Ministries since 2010, leading our adult and children’s choirs, handbell ensemble and quartet, drama ministry, and serving as Sunday School teacher and Music Teacher for Trinity Children’s Center. A native of Spartanburg, music has been his passion for as long as he—or anyone else—can remember. Ben studied at New York University, University of Toronto, and Berklee College of Music, and has worked with churches, theatres, and ensembles throughout the Southern United States, New York, Toronto, Las Vegas, and Paris, France. In addition to his service at Trinity, Ben regularly works as music director, composer/arranger, pianist, and workshop instructor for several area community theatres, ensembles, and college theatre departments. In what free time is left, Ben enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, anything related to food, dinosaurs, or cats, and (occasionally) sleeping.
Ben can be reached via email at the above link or music@TrinitySpartanburg.org, or by phone at 864-585-4884, ext. 16.
For matters concerning Safe Sanctuary, please contact Ben at SafeSanctuary@TrinitySpartanburg.org.
Melissa grew up in Blythewood, South Carolina. She earned a BA from Wofford College and an MA from Ohio University. She has been the director of Trinity Children's Center since May 2005. Melissa strives to create an environment that is a sanctuary for children, where they are loved and nurtured as they develop and grow. She emphasizes the development of Christian values in the program and hopes that each child will learn to show kindness and compassion for all people. Her two children, a girl and a boy are her greatest joy! She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling and outdoor activities. If you are interested in learning more about Trinity Children's Center, please feel free to email Melissa at the link above or call 864-585-2392.
