Pastoral Staff
Rev. Dr. Woods Lisenby
Rev. Dr. Woods Bradshaw Lisenby is the Senior Pastor and an ordained Elder in the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. Pastor Woods grew up in Dothan, AL, and was an active member of First United Methodist Church. He attended Huntingdon College and received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. While attending Huntingdon, he met his wife, Brianna McClure Lisenby. Together, they have three children: August Rose (6), Bradshaw Woods (3), and Wyatt Buen (<1). After graduating from Huntingdon, Woods attended seminary at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and later received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary.
As a pastor, Woods feels called to preach the Word of God, care for the needs of the congregation, and lead adult discipleship. More than anything, Woods enjoys spending time with his family. He loves playing games with his children, traveling, and training with his wife for triathlons. Before having children, they completed two Ironman races. When time allows, he enjoys fishing in his kayak and playing music.
Rev. Dr. Kitsy Dixon
Rev. Dr. Kitsy Dixon is an Associate Pastor and provisional Elder in the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. Pastor Dixon is a native of Mississippi and is a graduate of Ole Miss where she received a Journalism Degree. She moved to New York City to pursue studies in Theater and Dance. She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in American Studies and a Doctorate Degree in Medical Humanities. Sensing God’s call in her life to pursue pastoral ministry, she went on to complete her M.Div. Degree. Through prayer and discernment, she decided to return to the South. She has had a variety of ministry experiences from working with the homeless to those experiencing crisis and trauma through victimization and those imprisoned. She has also worked in another UMC as a Youth Minister.
Rev. Dr. Mike Owenby
Rev. Dr. Mike Owenby is an Associate Pastor and an Ordained Deacon in the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. Pastor Mike is a native of Millbrook, Alabama. Sensing God’s call to worship ministry at the age of sixteen, Mike attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, where he completed his BA in Church Music in 1984. After marriage to Lisa Sargent, of Rosswell, Georgia, they moved to Kentucky where Mike completed his MAR in Church Music in 1988. In 2006 Mike completed his DWS in Worship Studies at the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies.
Mike has served in the Music and Worship field for Centre First UMC (1984-86), Nicholasville Christian (1986-1988), Mary Esther UMC (1988-2019), Mountain Park UMC (2019-2023), and Spanish Fort UMC (2023-present). Mike enjoys the rich sounds of choral music, the wonderful history of faith expressed through hymns, and the physical community of Hand Bells.
Mike and Lisa have two adult children. Hannah (Nick) is a Music Therapist in Raleigh. Their son is Michael Thomas. Caleb (Anna) is Assistant Director of Bands and Trombone Professor at UAB. Their daughter is Clara.
For fun: Mike enjoys the general maintenance of home and cars, playing string instruments, riding his motorcycle, and travel.
Ministry Staff
Meet the amazing members who make up the faith team at Spanish Fort!
The church is at its best when each member is in ministry through worship, study and service. The Book of Discipline reminds us that,
“Ministry in the Christian church is derived from the ministry of Christ, who calls all persons to receive God’s gift of salvation and follow in the way of love and service. The whole church accepts this call, and all Christians participate in this continuing ministry” (¶ 301).
“The ministry of the laity flows from a commitment to Christ’s outreaching love. Lay members of The United Methodist church are, by history and calling, active advocates of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (¶ 127).
“The ministry of all Christians in Christ’s name is both a gift and a task. The gift is God’s unmerited grace; the task is unstinting service” (¶ 129).
What this means is that we each have a role in the continued work of the kingdom. God is clearly calling Spanish Fort United Methodist Church to provide everyone the opportunity to choose to become part of this work. We are created by God to be connected to Christ and to one another through his church. This begins with you!
Take the online Spiritual Gifts Assessment.
Church Council
Chair – Lee Walters
Secretary – Cindy Nelson
Lay Leader/S.A.L.T Chair – Asher Carmichael
SPRC Chair – Lynn Langley
Finance Chair – Kerry Vix
Trustees Chair – Janet English
Lay Member to Annual Conference – Marilyn Sullivan
Lay Member to Annual Conference – Bill Nelson
Member At-Large – Jessica Harris
Member At-Large – Buddy Light
Member At-Large – Tim Dozier
Member At-Large – Leighton Griggers
Member At-Large – Debbie Taylor
Member At-Large – Ali Bolton
Treasurer – Shannon Brown
Family Life Chair – Jason Lober
Traditional Worship Team Chair – TBD
Contemporary Worship Team Chair – Leisa Younger
Discipleship Team Co-Chair – TBD
Security Task Force Chair – TBD
Missions/Service Team Chair – Gay Desotell
Youth Team Chair – Blair Lober
Children’s Team Chair – Megan Bias
Disaster Relief Co-Chair – TBD
Senior Pastor – Woods Lisenby
Associate Pastor – Kitsy Dixon
Associate Pastor – Mike Owenby
Preschool Board Chair – TBD
