Meet Our Staff

Get to know the UMC Pastoral Care professionals dedicated to providing compassionate spiritual care to all.

Rev. Larry Cothrin
Director of Pastoral Care

Larry Cothrin was born in Gainesville, Texas, but grew up north of Dallas in Lewisville, where he graduated from high school in 1975. Larry received his seminary training and graduated from Arlington Baptist College in Arlington, Texas. He has been an ordained minister for 40 years serving in Texas and Nebraska. Through those years, Larry ministered with the youth and children, served as an assistant pastor, and served as a Senior Pastor for 11 years.

Larry joined the UMC staff in February 1999.

He enjoys spending time with his family, grilling outdoors, occasionally golfing and fishing, and doing a little yard work. Larry and his wife Charla have five children and seven grandchildren.


Sr. Maria Carmela C. Macabanti, MSLT
Chaplain

Sr. Maria Carmela C. Macabanti was born in the Philippines. She is a member of a religious congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Lord’s Table (MSLT) in the Catholic Church. She earned her undergrad degree, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines. Then, she earned her Master of Arts in Theology of Consecrated Life from St. Anthony Mary Claret College, Manila, Philippines. She spent seven years as a Formator, mentoring and accompanying the novices called to be religious/nuns in their congregation (MSLT). Her missionary experiences were with adult and youth faith formation, where she visited the sick at home and in the hospitals. She gained six years of experience as a chaplain before she joined the UMC team in February 2022.

She enjoys and values mealtimes with sisters, family, and friends, plus sharing and listening to stories. With her love for the natural world, she likes to spend time listening to the sounds of nature, be it on the mountains or on the seashore.


Rev. Dr. Jerry K. Hatfield, B.S., M.A., M.Div., D.Lit.
Chaplain

Jerry Hatfield was born near Sykesville, Maryland but later moved to Westminster, where he graduated high school in 1980. After several years in retail sales, Jerry received the call to full-time ministry. He attended Valley Forge Christian College (now “University of Valley Forge”), Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Theology and Ministry in 1987.

Following several parish ministry tenures, Jerry pursued graduate theological studies at Fuller Theological Seminary from 1990–1994. His four years there were fruitful. He completed both a Master of Arts in Theology (Semitic Languages and Literature) and a Master of Divinity (Ministerial Studies). Afterward, Jerry spent a year teaching in a K-12 school near Jerusalem, Israel. There, he had a chance to utilize some of his newly acquired Hebrew and Arabic in conversation. Several years later, Jerry taught at a theological school in Swartz, Louisiana. He was later awarded a Doctor of Literature after completing a Biblical Hebrew language grammar and workbook in 1999. He was ordained to full-time ministry in the same year.

Jerry married Melinda Grace (Pena) Hatfield on June 17, 2006. Melinda taught junior high and middle school in both Levelland and Lubbock schools for 36 years. She is now enjoying her teacher retirement but stays active. She uses her skills as a vocal coach and accompanist for the Frenship area schools in Lubbock.

In addition to providing spiritual/emotional support to patients and their families, Jerry also plans and organizes yearly symposiums on Faith and Medicine. Since 2017, Jerry has also been at the forefront of providing spiritual/emotional wellness programs for the promotion and well-being of our celebrated medical and administrative staff.

Jerry’s outside interests involve nature photography (especially dragonflies), visual astronomy, reading, writing, and hiking with his wife in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.


Rev. Ron Finley, B.M., M. Div.
Chaplain

Ron Finley was born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls in 1996.

Ron spent the next seven years as a band director in schools throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. At the end of his time as a band director, Ron began seminary studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, and graduated in 2008 with a Master of Divinity degree. Ron was licensed to the ministry in August of 2000 and ordained in the summer of 2008.

He spent fifteen years serving as a pastor/minister in churches throughout Texas in various capacities, mainly as a music minister/worship pastor but also as a discipleship pastor, youth pastor, and church administrator. Ron has also served as a hospice chaplain and golf coach. Ron joined the UMC staff as an associate chaplain in September 2019.

Chaplain Finley has a passion for golf and enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids out on the golf course, whether playing golf or watching his kids play in tournaments. He also has a passion for leading worship whenever he can.


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