Paula Roane joined the staff at Trinity on May 1, 2000. She was born in Miami, FL and grew up in Pensacola. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Social Work. After receiving her Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of West Florida she spent five years as a Mental Health Counselor in Panama City before heading off to Duke Divinity school where she received a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. Paula served churches in North Carolina, was the Director of the UWF Wesley Foundation as well as serving nine years as the Minister of Children at Destin UMC. She is a Deacon in the United Methodist Church.

Life Verse: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Favorite Treat: Chocolate

Favorite Movie: Hallmark Christmas Movies

Matt Hull was born in Baltimore, MD, but has been in Florida since he was 7. He received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences with a focus on Diversity Studies from The University of West Florida. He was in retail management before entering full time ministry. He joined the Trinity staff in 2006. You will always find him in a polo, shorts, and flip flops no matter the weather. He is married to Shannon and together they have a daughter, Justice. He loves disc golf, watching Orioles baseball, traveling, and grilling.

Life verse: Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) - “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Favorite Movie: Star Wars 4-6

Favorite Book: Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller

Melissa Johnson began as our receptionist in 2014 and became our assistant youth director in 2018 after volunteering and interning with our youth group for several years. A Ft. Walton Beach native, Melissa was raised at Trinity United Methodist Church with her grandfather, John Remine and nanny, Annie Ferguson. She is an alumni of the University of West Florida (Go Argos!) and has a degree in Children and Society. For many years Melissa knew her calling was to work with the young people in her community. One summer at Oakwood Experience at Blue Lake, Melissa felt her calling to ministry and has been full speed ahead ever since. Melissa married her high school sweetheart, John and they have a daughter, Jane (2020) and two fur-baby cats, Piper and Kona. She has a passion for people, adventure and friendly competition. Her passion for others doesn’t end with the church, Melissa also works for Okaloosa County as a substitute teacher. In her free time she can be found bingeing Netflix shows, enjoying a football game with good food or planning her next road trip with friends.

Life Verse: "Leave your simple ways and you will live;  walk in the way of insight." Proverbs 9:6 (NIV)

Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy & The Office

Favorite Book: Love Does by Bob Goff

Lisa was born in Ohio where she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the age of 8. That moment has been the foundation for her life. She has been in church music since singing her first solo at the age of 5. (Ask her! She still remembers the words!) Graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Music, in voice, she has also completed half of a master’s Choral Conducting degree at Texas Tech University. She taught music in Ohio and has also given private piano and voice lessons since college graduation. Lisa served 3 churches in the surrounding FWB area, as a single mom, was a full-time music teacher at a local elementary school when she came to Trinity UMC as a part-time choir director/organist in April of 2002-2012. In 2012 she married and moved to Mobile, AL. Served in music ministry at Methodist churches in AL, including Fairhope UMC, and returned to Trinity UMC in full time music ministry, September, 2018. Singing, reading, Bible Study and worship are what guide her daily. In her free time, she helps Michael, her husband, with his ministry. Lisa is a teacher and a coach at heart and has taught music and coached sports of all kinds. She is a Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and an Ohio State fan. She is the proud parent of two children and their spouses.

Life Verse: “To Believe is to be Strong!” Romans 8:31-39

Favorite Drink: Cinnamon coffee with lots of sugar and cream

Favorite Book: Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, & Finding the Church by – Rachel Held Evans

Shannon Hull has been a part of the Trinity staff since 2009. Shannon is married to our Youth Minister, Matt Hull. In addition to leading the Contemporary Worship Service, she is a full-time Music teacher at a local elementary school. Shannon believes that worshipping as a church family and on our own is one of the most important things a person can do. We worship because God is God, and acknowledging that routinely helps us live our daily lives in connection with Him. In her free time, Shannon enjoys watercolor painting, reading, gardening, and conversations with others especially when coffee is involved!

Life Verse: “Music acts like a magic key to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” – Maria von Trapp

Favorite TV Show: "The Crown"

Favorite Book: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Jacque Schlageter has been a part of the Trinity staff since 2016. Originally from Huntington Beach, CA, Jacque spent a majority of her life in Ft. Walton Beach, FL with a few years spent in the Middle East. These years spent overseas developed a love for traveling and Jacque has been fortunate to visit many different countries and experience various cultures around the world. She has a passion for animal rescue and has been volunteering and fostering dogs with the Saving with Soul organization since 2017. She describes this experience as being the “best and most rewarding experience in my lifetime”. She typically has 4 dogs (3 + 1 foster) and 2 cats at home. Jacque loves being outdoors and active, growing up a competitive swimmer, she has worked with the Okaloosa County Beach Safety as a lifeguard part-time since 2014.

Life Mantra: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Favorite Movie: The Martian

Favorite Book: Lone Survivor

Ramses joined the Trinity staff in 2016 and is our avid greeter and protector. When he isn’t hard at work, Ramses spends his free time cuddling with his momma, going for walks, playing with his siblings, and enjoying a good snooze. His favorite place is the beach and he loves to run. Ramses is a bit of a food connoisseur, he is happy and willing to try any and all food that comes his way, it’s truly the way to his heart. .

Life Verse: "Leave people better than you found them."

Favorite Food: Treats

Favorite Movie: Marley and Me

MaKenzie Johnson has been a part of the Trinity staff since October 2020. A former military dependent born in the Midwest, MaKenzie has spent most of her formative years growing up in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. During Junior College, MaKenzie was able to spend a year studying abroad in South Korea which helped fuel her love of travel and exploring different cultures. She is a 2013 graduate from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. After graduation she was fortunate enough to work in the field of Student Activities in higher education which she has done for the last seven years until she decided to answer God’s calling to work at Trinity and assist in spreading the message that Trinity provides spirit-filled ministries and worship opportunities to equip people to become disciples of Jesus Christ. MaKenzie was baptized in 2007 and has had a heart for God ever since. In her free time, MaKenzie enjoys spending time with her family. She is an avid book reader/collector, a massive New Orleans Saints fan and the proud parent for her furbaby cat, Taz.

Life Verse: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17

Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones Favorite Food: Pina Rellena de Pollo from Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant in FWB, FL.

David began serving at Trinity in October of 2019. He is a native of upstate NY, Binghamton, NY. He received his B.Mus. & M. Mus. degrees from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ in 1976 & 1978 respectively. While at college he sang with the Westminster Symphonic Choir in orchestral/choral concerts with the NY Philharmonic, the National Symphony of Washington, DC, the Pittsburgh Symphony, & the Atlanta Symphony. In Aug. 1986 he came to Christ UMC in Jackson, MS to serve as Assistant Music Director, organist/accompanist. It was at this church that David met & then married his wife, the former Susan Spann. in July 1988.   David served as Wesley Biblical Seminary chapel pianist & graduation ceremony organist from 1987 to 2015. David also served as a music instructor & private piano instructor at a small Christian college, Wesley College, 18 miles south of Jackson, MS from 1997 to 2010. He enjoys traveling, American History, reading, & aquaria. The Grand Tetons National Park in NW Wyoming is proof of our Almighty God’s handiwork! He is a HUGE fan of UKY Wildcat basketball & love all the reruns of the 1970s TV series: “EMERGENCY!”

Life Verse: "When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Matthew 26:30