Meet the Staff

Lyle Holland – Senior Pastor

lyle.holland@gmail.com

Lyle is an Alabama native, born in Birmingham and raised in Decatur. For more than 30
years, he has faithfully served as an ordained Elder in a variety of pastoral roles—ranging from
associate pastor to founding pastor to senior pastor. His ministry has been marked by a deep
love for people, a heart for service, and a passion for helping congregations navigate seasons
of transition.
Lyle earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and his Master of
Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Since beginning his ministry in
1982, he has served within the United Methodist Church and more recently as part of the Global
Methodist Church.
He was a member of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) Executive Team and served
on the North Alabama Transitional Council Advisory Team, which became the North Alabama
Conference of the Global Methodist Church. In 2024, Lyle represented clergy as a delegate to
the Convening General Conference of the Global Methodist Church in Costa Rica. He currently
serves as Presiding Elder of the Northwest District.
Lyle is married to the former Linda Denton of Culleoka, Tennessee. Together, they have two
adult children, Maggie and Bennett. Now as empty nesters, Lyle and Linda share their home
with their beloved Airedale Terrier, Loki.
Fayette First Methodist is blessed by the wisdom, care, and steady leadership Pastor Lyle
brings to both our church and our community.

Dana Gilliam – Executive Director of Ministries

danacargilegilliam@gmail.com

Priscilla Gray – Youth Ministry

priscillaleighgray@gmail.com

I have the privilege of serving the most amazing students in Fayette County. From weekly Bible study and special events, our youth stay engaged and connected. But more than just activity, our true focus is helping each other find our identity in Christ. Everything we do is centered on building authentic relationships with Jesus and each other and growing our faith.

August & Sam Junkin – Children’s Minister & Worship Leader for Common Ground

Augustjunkin@att.net
Sjunkin75@gmail.com

Sam and August Junkin have been partners in ministry at Fayette First Methodist since 2013. August serves as the Children’s Minister and Sam as the Worship Leader for Common Ground. In addition to her responsibilities at FFMC, August provides music to local pre-schools and pre-k programs and also serves as the Executive Director of Better Together Fayette, a non-profit organization established in 2020 that focuses on combining the resources of local churches to provide ministry events designed to share the love of Christ with children in the City of Fayette. Sam has served as the Circuit Judge for the 24th Judicial Circuit since 2015. They have been married for 26 years and have one daughter, Laura, who is a student at the University of Alabama.