Nursery Supervisor: Melissa Murphy
Melissa Murphy joined the Brook Hill staff as the Nursery Supervisor in 2022. She has been caring for young children since she was 12 years old. Melissa has five children who love Sunday School and youth group.
Melissa has known Jesus her entire life. She grew up attending church and participating in Girls in Action and then youth group. Her faith became stronger after a traumatic time in her life and she attributes her ability to get through it to God.
She believes kids are the future of the church and believes it’s important for them to know that Jesus loves them at a young age. She enjoys hearing their laughter and seeing their smiles when they learn how much Jesus loves them.
Outside of church, Melissa enjoys camping and spending time with her family outdoors. She says, “I have five daughters…they keep me very busy. I hope to go back to college when my children get older and get a nursing degree.”
Melissa enjoys scrapbooking, fishing, camping, and hanging out with her kids. Melissa is married to Billy and their daughters are Chrissy, Hailey, Dakota, Gracelynn, and Scarlett. Melissa loves animals and has two dogs and three cats.
Contact Melissa at nursery@bhumc.org.
Director of Children’s Ministry: Shelly Evans
Shelly Evans joined the Brook Hill staff as the Director of Children’s Ministry in 2019. Shelly taught preschool for more than 15 years and has a Maryland lead teacher certification to teach infants through 6th grade. Shelly has served on the Brook Hill Weekday Preschool committee since 2008.
As part of her teacher certification, she learned many ways to help children with special needs and provide support to them and their families. She has a nephew with special needs so this issue is close to her heart.
She began helping with Sunday School when she was 12 years old. Teaching children is part of Shelly’s faith story and something she has felt God calling her to do since she was a child. She believes children are the future of the church.
She believes we are all children of God and need to be nourished spiritually and believes everyone has a role to play in helping them grow in their faith. The best part of working with children for her is the satisfaction of seeing the connection in children’s eyes when they realize and understand Jesus died for them.
Shelly loves anything artistic and British. She grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by families who worked at the British embassy in D.C. and learned early on to drink tea and appreciate British culture. Shelly has a large collection of teapots and cups.
Shelly is married to Ron and has one son, Leland.
Contact Shelly at childrens_ministry@bhumc.org.
Director of Youth Ministry: Kathleen Rogers
Kathleen Rogers joined the Brook Hill staff in 2022 as the Director of Youth Ministry. She is also employed by the Frederick County Public Schools and has been working with youth ministries since 1997.
She grew up going to church on Sundays yet it wasn’t until she was an adult that she experienced the power of living out her calling and sharing her faith with others. God has brought her through really trying times and she believes that if she did not have her faith to sustain her, she would not be here.
It takes a village to raise children with a heart for God. Future generations need to know and understand the love and the depth of the love that Christ has for us. Kathleen believes youth need to know that they are important and special and they are forgiven. If someone does not tell them, how will they know?
The best part of youth ministry for her is the bonds that are created, the giggles and laughs that are shared, and watching the youth grow and blossom into who they are called to be. Encouraging the youth to reach outside themselves to become who they are called to be is Kathleen’s calling. She wants to do all she can to help them be all they can be.
Kathleen enjoys bowling, playing board games with her family, jigsaw puzzles, and crossword puzzles. She also enjoys women’s Bible study groups and likes to watch romantic comedies.
Kathleen has five grown children and five grandchildren.
Contact Kathleen at youth_ministry@bhumc.org.