Rev. William Thomas
e-mail: pastor@herefordumc.org
Appointed as lead pastor here at Hereford Faith & Life in July 2011, Bill is a graduate of Western Maryland College. He taught Art at Westminster High School in Carroll County before earning his Masters of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He served as a pastor and leader in the United Methodist Church for 13 years. In 1993, Bill affiliated with the Foursquare Gospel Church and served the Foursquare Church in Westminster for 18 years. During that time, he also served several years as a Divisional Superintendent in the Mid-Atlantic District of Foursquare churches. Bill has a background in sports as an athlete and coach and has been a leader in the ministries of Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Intervarsity Campus Ministry. Bill and his wife, Linda (who served as an ordained co-pastor with him in Westminster), have been married for 43 years and have 8 children ranging in age from 41 years old to 13 years old. Their youngest two were adopted from China as God opened the eyes, hearts and home of the Thomas family for the world. Their family mission is “one starfish at a time.” Bill and Linda also have 5 grandchildren. Bill’s interests, besides his family, include cycling, guitar and art. He also writes for the religion column in the Carroll County Times newspaper. His passions include ministering to next generation leaders, and seeing people and churches become fully alive in Christ. One of Bill’s life verses is…“Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31
Debby Deweese, Finance Manager
e-mail: admin@herefordumc.org
A graduate of both Montclair State University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, Debby was previously employed at a “Big Eight” accounting firm in the National Health Care Industry Program in New York City and the National Health Care Policy Group in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the staff at Hereford Faith & life Church, she was the Divisional Business Manager of General Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. And was also a registered dental hygienist, ‘back in the younger days’! Debby’s free time involves her family, volunteering at various ministries and missions of the Church, Bible study, the theatre, music, gardening, needlework, and reading. Debby has been a member of HFNL Church for over twenty-seven years and joined the office staff in 1999. She loves the Lord and her HFNL Church Family and feels the Lord led her to this place when she most needed it. She has served in many ministries of the Church including Lay Leader, Praise Band, Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, Worship Team, Apples of Gold Woman’s Ministry, Finance Committee, SPPR Committee, Nominating Committee, Preschool Board, Building Committee, Council of Ministries, and Church Council. But her passion involves working with children ~ Vacation Bible School Director for 12 years, Sunday School teacher for 4 years, Sunday School Superintendent for 3 years, Jr. Youth Group Worker for 2 years, and presently Director of the POW (performers of the Word) theatre group for the past 10 years and Confirmation Coordinator for the past 20 years. She feels called to teach His Word to the children and to write it on their hearts. And the blessing from the children is that many, many times, they teach her!!“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ ~ Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Linda Marcus, Communications Secretary
e-mail: info@herefordumc.org
Linda came on staff in 2012. She came to know the Lord as a mom with two young children, and He gave her
an unquenchable thirst for His Word and a heart for women’s ministry. Before coming to HFNL, she was an active member of Community Bible Study, a worldwide ministry dedicated to making disciples of Jesus Christ through in-depth Bible Study. Linda served in leadership at the Westminster CBS class for 5 years and then as Teaching Director of the Eldersburg Class for 11 years. She has also served on several Maryland Walk to Emmaus Retreats, as well as Maryland Chrysalis Retreats (the Emmaus ministry to teens).
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful Word.”
Hebrews 1:3
