Mark Gooden, Pastor of SMUMC

Mark grew up in Hixson, TN, a suburb of Chattanooga. He attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies. Sensing the call to ministry, he attended Emory University, Candler School of Theology to earn a Master of Divinity degree.  Mark later received a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.

He has been happily married to his wife Judy for almost 42 years, and they have two children, Timothy and Kylie. They also have a dog, Miss Sally.

Over the past 40+ years, Mark has served Welch’s and Stephen’s Chapel, St. James, Surgoinsville First, Central Lenoir City, Signal Crest, Munsey Memorial, First Centenary and now Signal Mountain.

Mark starts his day early with a long walk as a spiritual practice. Sally, his Corgi-Beagle mix, joins him on those walks each morning.

His favorite Bible verses, which help guide his walk with God, are Lamentations 3:21-26 and Psalm 71:17-19. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

He loves watching the birds from his back porch. His favorite bird is the Nuthatch.

Deb Hearn, Minister of Music

Debby Hearn, Minister of Music, always has a ready smile and a happy word. And, she does a wonderful job of overseeing the music of Signal Mountain United Methodist Church (SMUMC), playing the piano, directing the choir, and making people feel welcome.

Debby grew up in Shenandoah Valley, VA where her father was a doctor and her mother was his nurse.  Their clinic was on one side of their home and her grandmother lived on the other with Debby’s school just across the road.  Debby went onto Shenandoah Conservatory of Music where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education and did post graduate studies at James Madison University.

Debby has had a rich life of business and music and a mission of helping others. She had various positions, including sales, realtor with Coldwell Banker, and Convention and Special Events Coorinator for Chattanooga Choo Choo.  Still, music has always been important in her life. Her passions are music and helping people, which have blended nicely for her and everyone around her. She has worked at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church as Program Coordinator, Music Ministry and was Quality of Life Coordinator at Alexian Village.  She has been Minister of Music at SMUMC since 1993. Debby also teaches private piano lessons.

Here are three of Debby’s favorite verses. First, John 15:12-13 leads Jesus’ followers to love others as he has loved. Second, I Corinthians 13 reminds us, “Jesus said, ‘If you see me, you see the father.’ I want Jesus’ love to shine through me. God is my rock. It’s where my heart springs from.” Three, Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” As Debby says, “God is so good and sometimes it’s hard to pick favorites, like hymns. We have so many favorites.”

(Excerpts taken from Mountain Post, January 7, 2008, article by Ruth Robinson.)