Dr. Al(fred) Wesley Gwinn, Jr.

Senior Minister

Born Nov. 12, 1943

Passion for the local church has characterized Al’s ministry since ordination in 1969. Two rural, an inner city and four larger membership congregations have all manifested vitality and vision under his leadership. During his ten-years, Lexington Centenary relocated and grew in worship attendance to over 1400, largest in the conference, while parenting a new congregation, and modeling mission outreach.

Committed to team ministry, Al led his conference in a major financial campaign for new church starts and strategic relocations, was a prominent leader in shaping the uniting of the two former conferences, was elected delegate to the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 General Conferences. He was recently elected chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry for a second quadrennium.

While Lexington District Superintendent, four new congregations were started, including a Korean congregation, and two Hispanic ministries began during his tenure.

Al is now senior pastor of historic Lexington First, a growing downtown congregation serving the metropolitan and urban community. First is known for its leadership in ecumenical efforts, vital ministries with inner-city poor and world outreach.

Al is a member of the General Council on Ministries and the SEJ Administrative Council.

Married to Joyce, they have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Ken Klemme

Associate Minister

Ken came from the Louisiana United Methodist Conference to serve at Lexington First Church in June of 2001. He is a Business Administration graduate of Louisiana Tech University and is completing his Master of Divinity studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Ken experienced God's call to full time vocational ministry after having worked in the hospital field in an administrative capacity for several years. He began his involvement in ministry as a Lay Speaker. He has served as pastor of churches in the Alexandria and Ruston Louisiana Districts.

The Klemme family includes LaVonda Klemme, Ken's wife, and their children Zachary (13) and Ethan (9). Ken and LaVonda's extended families are from Oklahoma.

Edward "Scooter" Leonard

Director of Administration

Scooter has served as Director of Administration since August of 1997. A life long United Methodist, Scooter entered fulltime ministry in 1992 after working in the family business for eight years. He has served United Methodist churches in Alabama, New Mexico and Florida in the area of youth ministry.

Scooter was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, where he graduated from Birmingham Southern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion.

Scooter received his certification as a Church Business Administrator through the National Institute of Church Finance and Administration at Chandler School of Theology at Emory University. He is certified through the General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church and the National Association of Church Business Administrators.

Scooter is certified in Risk Management for Churches and Schools through the Cambridge University, England. 

Scooter enjoys spending time with his wife, Nancy,  his two children, Josh and Amanda, and the family pet collie. He also enjoys yard work, watching sports, playing basketball and is an Alabama football fan.

Judith Heaney McKee

Youth Director

Dina Melvin

Director of Children's Ministries

Dina Melvin started as Director of Children’s Ministry in April, 2001. A long time member of First Church, Dina works primarily with children, kindergarten through fifth grade, but works with Linda Svec, Director of Preschool Ministry, in all aspects of ministry to children birth through 5^th grade.

She has been actively involved on a volunteer basis with ministry to children at First Church for 13 years. Dina loves kids and they love her.

Dina was raised in Lexington and has been a member of First Church since 1977. She and her husband John, have three children, Whitney, Stephen, and Christopher. Dina enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, photography and sports.

Linda Svec

Director of Preschool Ministries

Linda Svec started as Director of Preschool Ministry in May, 2001. Linda will be working along side Dina Melvin, Director of Children’s Ministry, to respond to the needs of children and there families. Linda works primarily with children birth to K-5.

Linda moved to Lexington in 1984 from Indiana. Linda is a PK. Linda is a trained Stephen Minister and Leader. She is married to Jim and has two grown sons and one grandson. She and her family have attended First Church since 1990. She enjoys reading, needle work, being a mom and grandmother.

Faye Henning

Assistant Choir Director

Faye has served as Assistant Choir Director since 1990. Her responsibilities include directing the Jubilee Singers (a ladies ensemble), coordinating the children’s choir program and directing the Wesley Singers (3^rd - 5^th grade choir).

Faye is a native of North Carolina and graduated from Tift County High School in Tifton, Georgia. She completed her B.S. in Music Education from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1982. Faye recently completed her Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Eastern Kentucky University.

Faye was director of Adult and Children’s Choirs at Olivet Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri from 1987 to 1989. She continues to teach private piano lessons in her home.

Faye and her husband Jimmy have one child, Anna Leigh, age 10. Faye enjoys singing, expanding her gardening skills, playing games, and spending time with her family and pets.

Sarah has been the Orchestra Director at Lafayette High School since 1981, where she founded the Lafayette Strolling Strings. She held previous teaching positions in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Paducah, Kentucky. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Murray State University in 1975 and her Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois in 1979. Sarah enjoys hiking, skiing and bird watching. Her back yard has been designated as a "Natural Wildlife Habitat".