Leadership Team
Who We Are
Our Team & Leadership
Brad Stapleton
Senior Pastor
Greetings in the peace and love of Jesus Christ! My name is Brad Stapleton, and I am father to two incredible teenage daughters, Felicity and Paige. After completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, I earned my Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, and am now serving in my 22nd year of pastoral ministry. I am fluent in Spanish and am actively studying Hebrew. I am Presiding Elder of the Sevierville District of the MidSouth Conference of the Global Methodist Church and also will serve on the delegation to General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2026.
Preaching and teaching Scripture in a way that is both faithful and practical is my mission, seeking to connect biblical truth to everyday life. I seek to foster a culture centered on prayer, worship, and outreach. I enjoy being actively involved with youth and children’s ministries, as well as serving in prison ministries. My greatest strengths are connecting with people, conflict resolution from a non-anxious presence, and restoring ministries which are struggling. My vision is that our church will combine inward holiness through Bible study and worship with outward holiness by serving the least, the last and the lost in an effort to connect people with God.
Emily Adler
Children's Ministry Director
Emily grew up in Alcoa and loves the community very much. She was a teacher for 7 years before taking some time at home with her boys. She is blessed and grateful to be stepping into her calling in children’s ministry. Emily has grown up immersed in children’s ministry with her mom being a children’s director for many years. She loves Jesus and loves kids, and she is so excited about what the Lord is doing in the children’s department at Alcoa First Methodist Church. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and she loves the Vols, her family, being outside, and Jesus.
Kevin Miller
Music Director
Kevin has been blessed to have spent the last 33 years directing church music and leading worship in East Tennessee. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and have been a Vol my entire life. He is also blessed to teach elementary school music in Blount County Schools. Kevin is married to a lovely lady named Tabitha, and combined we have a total of 5 kids and 2 grandchildren.
How WE can serve YOU! There is always room for another in the Chancel Choir, Praise Team, and the Beverly Bells (our handbell choir.) Many people are intimidated and embarrassed to join a musical group, and we understand that totally. We want personally assure you that the musicians, ringers, and singers in this church are sharing their gift with the Lord and our congregation. We are a family, and are always looking for people to help us in this divine endeavor. Please feel free to drop Kevin an email and introduce yourself. It is his goal to help encourage and support you in giving your talent back to Him.
We know that if you have clicked here, you have already considered the possibility of praising Him through music. We encourage you to reach out to Kevin or to one of our musicians, we promise you will find a home with us!
God Bless You.
Chris Reinbold
Youth Ministry Director
Chris has been with us since June 2022. He grew up in Alcoa, but moved to Memphis right after his freshmen year of High School. He has been a student ministries director for the past 31 years. He loves the Vols, Cowboys, Reds, and Grizzlies. He got his degree from the University of Memphis. He loves his job but is also proud to be called uncle by Andy and Jackson.
Hallie Morton
Administrative Assistant
Suzanne Walters
Church Accompianist
Suzanne Walters is honored to have become a part of the team of Worship Leaders at Alcoa First Methodist Church. She believes that church musicians have a unique opportunity every week to artistically underline, punctuate, rephrase, or restate the scripture lessons and the sermon message, to make the worship experience as meaningful as possible for the congregation.
A native of northeast Ohio, Suzanne and her husband relocated to this area after she retired from teaching in June of 2022. During her career, she taught public school music, directed church music, and directed children’s choruses. She has two degrees in Music Education, a Master Teacher Certification from the State of Ohio, and has served on the boards of the Ohio Choral Directors Association and the Ohio Music Education Association.
Finding full-time retirement unappealing, she is happy to be back to teaching elementary music in the Blount County Schools at Prospect Elementary and Lanier Elementary.
Suzanne and her husband, Brian, are the proud parents of three adult children and one very spoiled golden retriever named Lincoln.
John Tate
Church Accountant