Rev. Dr. Homer E. Morris
Pastor
Rev. Dr. Homer E. Morris came to Tuttle’s Grove Methodist Church in 2017 as lead pastor. He was ordained by Tuttle’s Grove Methodist Church on January 1, 2023. He has served nearly fifty years in official ministry. Though born in Kansas, Homer spent most of his early years in Iowa and Kentucky. He completed his MDiv (1978) and DMin (1992) from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has pastored ten churches, mostly in eastern North Carolina, with a two-year appointment in Durham. Rev. Morris married Debra Mann from Newport; they have three children: Christy Leigh Morris, John Michael Morris, and Aaron Taylor Morris and two granddaughters.
Walter “Henry” Umstead
Director of Music
Henry Umstead, the son of Rev. Charles Umstead, minister of Tuttle’s Grove from 1965 to 1969, grew up in the Tuttle’s Grove Church. Henry began playing music at age 7 and was playing full time in church at age 12. In 2008 he returned to Tuttle’s Grove to the position of Music Director.