Church Leadership

Photo of Julie Hester smiling, wearing clergy attire.

Rev. Julie Hester

Julie began her work in the summer of 2025 as Transitional Pastor to First Presbyterian Church of Lenoir. She’s a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and a graduate of Duke University, Union Theological Seminary, and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia (now Union Presbyterian Seminary.) Ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1993, Julie has served a variety of North Carolina churches in Charlotte, Concord, and Asheville. She is curriculum writer and editor for the PC(USA), and serves on the Presbytery of Western North Carolina’s hurricane disaster relief team. Julie also helps others use writing as a spiritual practice, and a way to carry grief.

Julie is married to Dan Hester, the senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Morganton, and they live in Morganton. They have two young adult children.

Rev. Hester’s office is located in the back of Zion Church of Christ beside Davenport Elementary School, 119 College Avenue, Lenoir. Her email address is fpclenoirpastor@gmail.com.  The office email address is fpclenoir@gmail.com and the church telephone number is (828) 726-3299.

Music Leader Johnathan Greer

Johnathan is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Lenoir-Rhyne University with a minor in Sacred Music. Johnathan's primary instrument is the piano secondary instrument is organ.  After he completes his undergrad his hopes are to complete a Masters in Leadership and work as a Music Director for church and possibly work in higher education.

Johnathan has received the "Milli Link Endowment Fund Organ Scholarship from the First Lutheran Church Endowment Fund."  He is using his talents in the Hickory, Morganton, and Lenoir areas. Johnathan is part of "Spirit of LR" Marching Band under the direction of Dr. Tyler Stark playing keyboard and is part of the Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble as a pianist. Johnathan is part of the Lenoir-Rhyne A Cappella Choir where he previously served as the vice president of the A Cappella Choir. Johnathan works at Lenoir-Rhyne as the Music Program Work Study. His email is fpclenoirmusic@gmail.com.

Current Session Members

  • Luci Hooper

  • Donna Fellers

  • Monteen German

  • Carol Ann Bingham

  • Becky Stevens (Clerk)