Leadership

Pastors & Staff

JOIN OUR TEAM!
Suncrest UMC is currently seeking candidates for a
Children and Middle School Youth Ministries Director and a High School and College Ministries Director.

You can find the job postings on INDEED or you may contact Christina at
media@suncrestumc.org or by TEXT  304-641-7862 to get more information, request a job description, or apply.

Rev. Larry buckland

Head Pastor

Larry is a native of McDowell County; he graduated from West Virginia University and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.   He previously served as pastor at Life UMC in Fairmont,  Sabra and Highland Park United Methodist Churches in Morgantown and the North Jackson Charge in Ravenswood, WV.

Larry’s desire to serve and connect is a guiding light for how he spends his time and his partnerships with the community.  In his previous appointment at LIFE UMC he served on the Boards of the Tygart Valley United Way, Marion County Child Advocacy Center, volunteered at the Disability Action Center, the Marion County Communities of Shalom, the Union Mission and served on the Fairmont State University’s Wesley Foundation.  He currently serves on the WV Annual Conference CORE Leadership Team.  Larry was appointed by the City of Fairmont as a Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission.

Pastor Larry’s sermons often encourage the church to love our neighbors in everyday, ordinary ways that make a kingdom impact that changes the world.  He believes that small acts of kindness change the world, because small things can happen now, and now leads to a larger movement that will grow the kingdom.

He is inspired daily by his wife Christi, son Trey, and daughter Catherine Grace.  In his free time, Larry enjoys watching WVU sports with his family and friends. 

Angela Smith

Director of Music

Angela Smith serves as the full time Director of Music at Suncrest United Methodist Church in Morgantown, WV.  Angela received her Bachelor's in Music Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College and her Master's in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University.  Before coming on board at Suncrest UMC, she led music for various churches, children's choruses, and taught school in Waynesburg, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and India.   

Christina Hostutler

Congregational Life Director

Christina Hostutler is a graduate of West Virginia Junior College. She has been employed at Suncrest United Methodist Church since 1995 serving in many different roles. She was also the financial secretary at Spruce Street UMC until November 2013.

She is the founder of the Little Miss and Mister Liberty Pageant as well as the former S.A.S.S. (Strong and Sophisticated Sisters) organization, which is a group for girls ages 12 to 18 that focused on positive self image, fellowship and support, and community service.  She serves on the Husky Pups Football Boosters, Hundred Sportsman's Club Board of Directors, and the Hundred FFA Alumni Association.  

She has two children, Zackary and Jakob. Her favorite activities are taking photographs, hiking, scrapbooking, and spending time with her family and dogs.

Rich Chaffins

Contemporary Music Director

Rich Chaffins is a native of Oceana, WV. He majored in jazz and classical guitar performance at WVU under Scott Elliott, and has (mostly) been in Morgantown ever since. Credits include staff musician at Cedar Point Amusement Park; pit musician for West Virginia Public Theater, Morgantown High School, and University High School; Assistant Music Director at Chestnut Ridge Church; Worship Director at Kingwood Christian Fellowship. He’s been a guitar instructor at Fawley Music 2004-present, is owner and luthier of Agape Guitars, and serves as Contemporary Music Director at Suncrest UMC. He and his wife, Alise, have been making beautiful music together since 2009, and at SUMC since 2015.

CHRISTINA THOMAS

Director of Children and Youth Ministries

A native of