Welcoming our new Co-Senior Pastors, Raegan and Scott Gilliland
The Staff–Parish Relations Committee of First United Methodist Church of Denton, TX, is overjoyed to introduce you to our new Co-Senior Pastors, Raegan and Scott Gilliland, along with their kids, Andie, Jude, and Morgan!
Revs. Raegan and Scott Gilliland have a shared passion for leading congregations gathered by God’s grace, rooted in Christ’s love, and sent by the Spirit’s power. They will serve as Co-Senior Pastors of FUMC Denton beginning on July 1, 2024, with their first Sunday on July 7. We can't wait for you to meet them!
Raegan and Scott met in 2010 while on staff at Lovers Lane UMC in Dallas. Over the course of ten years at Lovers Lane, they discerned their calls to ordained ministry, enrolled and graduated from Perkins School of Theology at SMU (2016), and were ordained as elders in the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church (2018).
In July 2020, Raegan was appointed to serve as Associate Pastor of Adult Discipleship at Christ UMC in Plano, and Scott was appointed to serve as Senior Pastor at Arapaho UMC in Richardson.
They are the proud parents of Andie (8), Jude (4), and Morgan (2).
Here is a little more about each of them:
Rev. Raegan Gilliland
While at Christ UMC, Raegan has overseen 22 Sunday School Classes and multiple small groups and Bible studies, as well as preaching regularly, teaching weekly, and building systems to engage visitors, guests, and volunteers. She currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Outreach and Engagement, focused on strategic planning with lay leaders, overseeing events designed for the surrounding community, creating connections within a large congregation with multiple services and styles of worship, and revitalizing the Senior Adult Ministries.
Raegan believes church is all about connection: a) connecting to God through worship, study and prayer, b) connecting to each other through learning, serving, and sharing life with one another, and c) connecting with the community through mission, outreach, and public witness. Raegan loves to read (will always take suggestions), discover a new coffee shop, relax in the comfort of Parks and Recreation reruns, and honestly anything that involves being with people.
Rev. Scott Gilliland
Scott has been the Sr. Pastor of Arapaho UMC during a season marked by substantial growth. Through investing in online ministry, engaging laity in leadership and missions, and proudly proclaiming the inclusive and justice-driven theology at the heart of their vision, Arapaho is more vibrant now by every metric than pre-COVID. As Sr. Pastor, Scott helped the church navigate a year of pandemic lockdown, fostered a deeper partnership with the historically black Hamilton Park UMC, creatively developed Sanctuary worship to reach diverse individuals, and integrated new people as the 800-member church welcomed 170 new members in three years.
Scott is passionate about teaching the Bible in a way that invites critical thought and inspires transformation, creating beloved community where we can bring our full selves to the table, and leading God’s people to live a faith that reflects the justice, mercy, and humility of Micah 6:8. He loves to cook, listen to live music (especially Blues), cheer on the Rangers and Cowboys, and he believes it is perfectly acceptable to go see a movie in the theater by yourself.
Be in prayer for the Gilliland family during this time of transition and pray for our church as we receive the next Senior Pastors of FUMC Denton.
In Christ,
Your SPRC Committee