At annual conference 2008, Abi Carlisle-Wilke was appointed as our associate pastor.  Here is a brief biography.

I was born and raised in Florida. I lived until age 13 in Avon Park, Florida and then we moved as a family to Crystal River, Florida. My family attended the Baptist churches in both places. After graduating from Crystal River High School in 1971, I attended Florida State University. After getting my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work/Psychology in 1975, I moved to Louisville, Kentucky to attend Seminary. It was while working a Social Work internship placement that I heard God call me into ministry. I felt the call was to take all my background in Social Work and Psychology to help people as a Minister. At the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary I obtained the Master of Divinity degree in 1978.

I went for further training in Clinical Pastoral Education beginning with The University of Louisville Health Sciences System, Louisville, KY and then at Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. I also obtained training in Pastoral Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy with Charles Alexander with the North Alabama Conference Office of Pastoral Care and Counseling. I was ordained in the Crystal River Baptist Church in 1980 and endorsed by the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board to serve as a Chaplain in Hospitals. I transferred my ordination to the North Alabama Conference in 1987 and became a Full Elder in 1992.

I have served as Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor for Brookwood Medical Center, South Highland Hospital, and Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, AL; and then for the Pastoral Institute/Bradley Center in Columbus, GA. I then served on the staff of St. John UMC and Epworth UMC in the area of Pastoral Care and Counseling. I then moved back to the North Alabama Conference to serve at Aldersgate UMC, Wadley/Almond/Pleasant Hill circuit in the South East District, and St John UMC in Florence.

I am married to Bob Wilke, a retired Physician Assistant who served in the Army, Civil Service and other medical settings. We have adopted three children from China; Kara age 8, Kate, age 7 and Zach age 6. They will be attending Chaffee elementary. We are glad to be back in Huntsville and here at Trinity United Methodist Church to serve.

Abi Carlisle-Wilke, Invitational Ministries & Congregational Involvement
(256) 883-3200, extension 213