District Leadership - as of July 1, 2020 - Harbor District

Rev. Tara Culp Lain, Harbor District Superintendent

Tara Culp Lain was born and raised in Wilmington, NC. She graduated from Hoggard High School, Peace College and received her B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill. She completed her MDiv at Duke Divinity School.

Tara served mostly recently as the pastor of Trinity UMC in Wilmington. Over the years, she served in youth and children’s ministry, program ministry, minister of visitation and as the Volunteer Ministries Coordinator at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, NC.

Tara is married to Rev. Doug Lain who is currently serving Wrightsville UMC. They have three children: Olivia, Emily and Everett.

Mary Hartsell, Gateway/ Harbor Administrative Assistant to the DS

Mary was born and raised in Aberdeen, North Carolina and has been a life-time member of the United Methodist Church. Graduated from Sandhills Community College with an Associate Degree in Computer Engineer. Mary has served with NCCUMC Disaster Ministry for the last 4 years working with survivors that were affected by the Hurricanes. Mary is also been active in the UMC through Conference Committees and Local Churches. She has served as the Gateway District in the last 4 years in various ways.

Mary is married to Lloyd for over 40 years and has twin daughters (Samantha and Jessica) and two grandchildren (Madelyn and Aiden). Mary enjoys the mountains, music, and being with her family.

Daryl Strickland, District Lay Leader

I was born and raised in South Eastern North Carolina, graduated school in 1972. Went to work for a large manufacturing company as a Field Engineer. I have been graced by God and given the privilege to travel and see the world through my job.

I am married to Joyce, we live in Elizabethtown and have 5 grand children which includes a set of 5 year old twin boys. We have two rescue cats, one rescue dog, and my magic rabbit.

We are members of the Bladen Charge attending Live Oak UMC. I gratefully serve as the Sunday School superintendent and the Lay Leader. I also, through the grace of God and the talents he has given me, am a professional Gospel magician.
If you would like to reach out to Daryl, please do so by emailing him at harbordistrictlayleader@nccumc.org.

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