Pastor Caitlin Lai (pronounced "lie") is a lifelong United Methodist, but it wasn’t until college that she started exploring questions of faith and discerning a call to parish ministry. She is Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and holds degrees from Duke University and Appalachian State University. Prior to her appointment to Hickory Grove, Caitlin has served under appointment as a Solo Pastor and as an Associate Pastor, and has served many ministerial internships in varying contexts. Pastor Caitlin has experience in refugee resettlement and immigration, as well as working in home care. While a graduate student at Duke, Pastor Caitlin spent a year studying at a seminary and interning at a church in Hong Kong, where she deepened a call to intercultural, urban ministry. It was through this global experience that she also discovered one of her favorite aspects of the United Methodist Church and the family of God: through our connection as the body of Jesus Christ, we can find friends and partners for the journey, anywhere we go.
Pastor Caitlin seeks to cultivate a community rooted in the love of Jesus Christ: one where everyone knows they are deeply loved and embraced for who they are. She is delighted to be serving with the good people of Hickory Grove UMC to share the love of God in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond.
Fun fact: Pastor Caitlin enjoys learning about cultures different than her own and traveling through food. If you have a dish that is unique to you or restaurant(s) that you love, reach out to Pastor Caitlin. She'd love to get to know you, especially through a good meal!
Rev. Colston Wuor-Gabie Morris is a native of Liberia, West Africa, the fifth of seventeen children. In 2002, Rev. Morris migrated to the United States. He is a citizen of the United States of America. He is an Ordained Elder in Full Connection in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. He was ordained as an elder in 1998 in the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
He served two separate churches in Liberia prior to migrating to the United States, Amelia Ross UMC 1995-1998 in Johnsonville, and St. Thomas UMC in Banjor 1998-2002, Liberia, West Africa. He also worked with young ex-combatants providing ministry of reconciliation and helping them reintegrate in the society in which they committed atrocities. He worked as a trauma and school counselor in Liberia. In 2003-2016, Rev. Morris work with people with developmental disabilities as a Job Coach, Enrichment Specialist and Habilitation Technician, Lifespan Inc. Charlotte and Autism Services of Mecklenburg respectively.
In July, 2013 he was appointed the associate pastor at Spencer Memorial United Methodist Church, now North Davidson A United Methodist Congregation on 36th Street in Charlotte, North Carolina. Other pastoral appointments include: Durham and Philadelphia United Methodist Churches in Shelby, NC and Lawndale, NC (July 2016-2018). In July 2018-2021, Rev. Morris served as pastor of Salem (Reidsville) & St. John (Eden) United Methodist Churches (July 2018-2021). Also, Rev. Morris served as the pastor, South Tryon Community United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC (July 2021-2023). And in July 1, 2023, he was appointed to serve as pastor of Hunters Chapel and Morrows Chapel United Methodist Churches. Starting July 1, 2024, Rev. Morris will be serving as pastor and associate pastor at Hunters Chapel-Hickory-Grove United Methodist Churches. He believes in experiential worship that leads to human transformation. He also has a passion for working with people who are hurting and the underprivileged by providing hope and comfort through the word of God.
Rev. Morris is a 2016 graduate of Hood Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree (M.Div.). Rev. Morris completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at the Carolina HealthCare System now Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a trained Spiritual Director and a 2018-2020 graduate from the School for Spiritual Direction Beyond Borders, a Ministry of the Missional Wisdom Foundation in the Piedmont District. In October, 2019, Rev. Morris was selected as one of the participants in the Bishop’s Emerging Leadership Initiative (BELI) in collaboration with the Passion in Partnership Ministries (PIP) in which he completed several cohort courses in leadership. In May 5, 2021, He graduated in church leadership from the Reynolds Program in Church Leadership in partnership with the Center of Creative Leadership in Greensboro North Carolina.
He is a family man married to Rhema and the union is blessed with five children: Randy in Australia, Colwayne in England, Kanyla, Kaniis and Colnik in Charlotte.
Candido was born in Puerto Rico on February 3, 1960. He received his associate degree on Social Work from the World University in Guayama, Puerto Rico. In 2016, Candido completed his fifth year of Course of Study at Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Candido has served as Director, Pastor and Founder of Ministry Cave of Adulam and Remembranza Music Ministry from 1997 to 2006, and his first pastoral assignment was from 2000 to 2004 at Comerio Puerto Rico United Methodist Church. In 2006, Candido was called to the WNCC Conference for mission work with Latino Ministries in North Carolina. Candido was appointed to Blair Road United Methodist Church Blair Road in Mint Hill , NC from 2007 to 2010 and then to Forest Hill United Methodist Church in Concord, NC as Associate Pastor and Pastor of the Latino Ministry. Candido is married to Pilar Perez and has three bright children Tanairi, Thamar, and Uziel.
Hassan joined our staff in September of 2023. He is from Liberia, West Africa where he entered the musical scene in 1975/76. After 47 years, and direct association with a wide variety of religious organizations he developed a proficiency in instrumental, choral music and music instruction. These includes orthodox and traditional Christian Hymns, Classical Music, African-American Gospels, Religious Jazz and Musical Dramas. He plays the piano, organ, guitar, and saxophone. Hassan is over our music program and leads the Traditional and African choirs during the Sunday services.
Gail joined our staff on December 18th, 2017. Gail is a native Charlottean and a graduate of UNCC. She has a Pomeranian named Lady. Gail has been an elementary school teacher and church office administrator. She is a member at Durham Memorial Baptist Church and enjoys crafts and gardening.
Matt is a native of Gaston County and he and his wife have been married for 19 years. They have three teenaged children whom they homeschool. Before coming to Hickory Grove, he worked at Walmart for 18 years. He is a dedicated Christian who is a Deacon at Garver Memorial Baptist Church. There he teaches Sunday School, Children’s Church, and the Wednesday night youth group. He loves working outside and owns his own lawn care business (his children work for him). Matt’s favorite verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Sharon has been involved at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church for over 20 years. She became a teacher here in our preschool in 2004 and has served as the Preschool Director since 2008. Her position allows her to use her gift of administration and her love for children at the same time. She enjoys talking with preschoolers and their families, gardening, and loves her Carolina Panthers!
