Centre First United Methodist Church
Centre, Alabama
  • Home
  • Welcome from Pastor Don
    • FAQ's
    • The Church Office
    • Map of Facilities
  • Worship Opportunities
    • Services on Video
  • VBS Registration
  • Ministries by Grade/Age
    • Outreach >
      • Greeters
      • Ushers
      • Breakfast Preparation
    • Children's Ministry >
      • Children's Church
      • Children's Sunday School
      • Children's Musicals
    • Nursery
    • Jr High Class >
      • Sunday School
    • Youth Ministry >
      • Wednesday Nights
      • Sunday Mornings
    • Adult Ministry >
      • Adult Sunday School
      • Men's Ministry >
        • Men's Breakfast
      • UM Women's Group
  • Missions
    • Local Ministry
  • Weekly Calendar
  • Meet Our Staff
  • Leadership
  • College Student Connection
  • Contact Us
  • Location

Don Barnett-Pastor

Picture















​Pastor Don Barnett has served as an ordained minister in the North Alabama Conference for 32 years. He holds degrees from Vanderbilt Divinity School (M.Div.), Birmingham-Southern College (B.A.), and Lauderdale County High School. Don also served as a certified agricultural chaplain to farm families on Sand Mountain in the early years of his ministry. He has served a variety of congregations in rural cooperative ministry and mission, to small town and inner city churches. He and his wife Tangie enjoy witnessing through music and working with children’s ministries. They have three children: Daniel (23), Micah (19), and Bethany (10). Don is committed to working together with other disciples to share the vital message of God’s love, salvation, and hope in Christ that changes hearts and lives!
​

Contact Don Barnett:
 [email protected]
Office: 256-927-3452

Emily Gossett
Children's Director & Administrative 
Assistant

Picture
















Emily Gossett is originally from Panama City Beach. She says since moving to Centre, AL in 2009 permanently she would never leave this city! She received her Bachelor of Science in International Business Management from Huntingdon College in 2015. She is Married to Jimmy Gossett and they have two children, Ella and Reagan. Emily loves being with children and is overjoyed to guide them through children's ministry and their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
​
​Contact Emily:
[email protected]
[email protected] 
Office
 (256) 927-3452

David Sanford - Worship Director of The Edge Worship Experience (Contemporary/Alternative Worship)

Picture
















David Sanford is our  Contemporary Worship Director. David and his wife grew up in Centre and moved home from Nashville in 2014, where he was working as a Journeyman Electrician and as a professional musician. David plays multiple instruments, sings, writes music, and comes with a rich and diverse musical background. He's also the owner & Electrical Contractor of Sanford Electric, LLC.

David is married to Jessica Nelson Sanford, and they have three children. Marlee (who also sings/plays with Fully Human Band) and twin boys, Beau and Shep. David is the son of Larry & Beth Sanford, who are well known in our congregation.

Contact David:
Email: [email protected]
Office: (256)927-3452

Michelle Davis - Youth Director

Picture

​Contact Michelle:
[email protected]
​Office: 256-927-3452

David James-Choir Director

Picture
The Chancel Choir is directed by David James.  David has been on staff at CFUMC for almost twenty years, and he believes that music is an extremely important part of the worship service.  David began participating in the music ministry of Centre First at an early age and developed a passion for music in worship.  He loves various types of music and strives to mix varieties and styles of music to enhance traditional worship. 

David holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from JSU and works in his family's business, a local grain and trucking company.  David and his wife Cindy live in Centre and both are active in other ministries of the church.

Contact David James:
Email: [email protected]
Office: 256-927-3452


Anna Kennedy - Pianist/Organist

Picture
 Anna is serving as the Pianist in our 10:55am worship service each week. 

Anna is originally from Jacksonville, AL.   She and her husband currently live in Piedmont.  She is employed by the Alabama Teachers Credit Union and also teaches piano lessons.  Anna graduated in 2009 from JSU with a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in piano. She was also the pianist for Alexandria United Methodist Church from 2008-2011.  She is excited to be working in the church once again.


To contact Anna call the church office (256) 927-3452

Ella Clifton - Nursery Leader

Picture
Ella Clifton is a graduate of Cherokee County High School. She's been working with CFUMC Nursery since December 2021, while maintaining a second job (teaching preschool with children 3 weeks - 5 years old) since August 2023.

She's currently a student at Gadsden State Community College for general studies, and plan to transfer to Jacksonville State University to obtain a Bachelor degree in Elementary Special Education Fall 2025.

Ella is CPR certified. All of our babies and toddlers love Miss Ella. She is highly trained as well as qualified and always goes above and beyond to take care of our children! 

​Jessica Sanford - Audio/Visual Facilitator & Media Specialist

Picture
Jessica Sanford is our Audio/Visual Facilitator for The Edge Worship Experience and the Media Specialist. She was born in Centre, graduated from Auburn with her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis and lived in Nashville for almost a decade with her husband David Sanford, where their daughter was born. After their twin boys were born prematurely, they relocated back to Centre. She is a Certified Holistic Fitness & Wellness Specialist who works with clients in person at her wellness studio and virtually as well. She enjoys helping enrich the contemporary worship service to connect more people with God, volunteering with the children's, jr. high, & youth ministries, and keeping our congregation up-to-date via social media & our website. 

Contact Jessica:
[email protected]
Office: (256)927-3452
Physical Address:
341 West Main Street
Centre, Alabama 35960
Church Office/Mailing Address:
106 Tol Street South
​P. O. Box 296
Centre, Alabama 35960
Phone:
(256) 927-3452

Fax:
​(256) 927-8807


Website
www.centrefumc.com

Facebook
​Centre First United Methodist Church​