Meet Our Staff

Lynnette has served as pastor of Tryon UMC since July, 2018. She received her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Radio, Television and Film/Communications from Western Carolina University. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Gardner-Webb University and was officially ordained into ministry in 2015 at First Baptist Church of Asheville, North Carolina. Lynnette has served in ministry, first as a volunteer and then vocationally, for nearly 25 years. Prior to coming to Tryon UMC, she served in the roll of Media Center Director and Associate Minister of Grade School Children at First Baptist Asheville and then as Minister of Children and Families at Central United Methodist Church in Asheville, North Carolina.

Before her call to ministry, Lynnette was a news reporter, working in radio stations in Asheville. Her work was recognized with awards for writing and reporting from the North Carolina Associated Press and the North Carolina Radio and Television News Directors Association.

Volunteerism and service to community have always been part of life for Lynnette. In the 34 years she has lived and worked in Asheville and Tryon, she been a member of and served on the boards of several organizations including Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, the Henderson County/Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity, Tryon Kiwanis Club, Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry, Leadership Asheville, and the Arden Rotary Club. In addition, she has worked on projects with RiverLink in Asheville, the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, and other projects that promoted the health and welfare of women and children.

The best thing Lynnette has ever done (with the exception of answering a call to vocational ministry) is to be the mother of her daughter Elizabeth, who is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and of her son James, who plans to start his college career soon. She is immensely proud of them and the good people they are. She also adores their dog, Jenna.

Lynnette is a lover of books, the beach, and enjoys hiking the many wonderful trails in this part of the world, especially around Montreat, North Carolina.

Pam McNeil serves as the Director of Music Ministries and organist for our worship services. Since October 2010, she has been leading our Chancel Choir and supervising our guest instrumentalists, vocalists, and hand bell ensemble.

Pam is in her sixth year as a music educator in the Polk County School System and in her over forty-year as musical director for the local community theater. She brings vast knowledge and expertise from her fourteen years as Production Manager for the local newspaper.

She is held in highest regard in professional circles and in the many faith communities throughout the Southeast. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Piano and Music Education from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a Masters in Music from Western Carolina University.