Rev. Dr. Kristen Burkhart has been a pastor in the United Methodist Church since 2006 and at Dandridge First UMC since 2021. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors in Social Services, Masters of Divinity from Southern Methodist University (SMU) Perkins School of Theology, and Doctorate of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. Pastor Kristen's husband, Phillip, is a Implementation Specialist for Global Medical Response, and they have two children- Joanna who is nineteen and Abraham who is thirteen. When they aren't at soccer games, band practices, choir concerts, and baseball fields, the family enjoys hiking, traveling, photography, and water skiing together. We also have two dogs (Faith & Noel) and two cats (Cape & Everest).
Pastor Kristen knows the method that guided John Wesley guided her family and brought two different backgrounds into one concept of service and worship of Jesus Christ. “The Method we follow matters; it’s part of what binds us and the Holy Spirit’s movement,” she says. She also believes ministry is not always about the major issues or measurable outcomes. “Sometimes it’s about one called person reaching out to another in a season of need and in that moment when one heart connects to another’s we glimpse the heart of God.”
Kate Miller serves as our Christian Education Director and Parent's Day Out Director. She received her bachelors degree from Carson-Newman University, Masters degree from Austin Peay State University, and a certification in Christian Education from Be A Disciple. She lives in Strawberry Plains with her husband Jake, her children AJ, Teddy, and Franklin, and their dog Flash and cats Cash and Garth.
Morgan grew up in the small town of Bulls Gap, TN and returned to the Knoxville area in 2023 after living in Nashville and Northern Virginia for 11 years. She received her Bachelors of Music from Middle Tennessee State University and her Masters and Doctorate of Musical Arts in voice performance from Shenandoah Conservatory. Alongside 10+ years of experience as a church musician and director in various denominations, Dr. Brower also teaches in the music department at Walters State Community College.
Morgan's husband, Michael, and their two children, Ellis (4) and Florence (1), reside in Knoxville.
If you need to contact Dr. Brower regarding the music ministry, please email music@dandridgefumc.com
If you have church office needs, please contact her via the office phone or at office@dandridgefumc.com
