Meet Our Staff

McKenzie is an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference and has been serving in ministry since 2007. Her passion is congregational worship, designing each worship service as an opportunity to see God at work, to experience God’s unconditional love, and to respond to God’s grace and mercy. Through her preaching, teaching, and leadership, McKenzie brings to light that every moment of our lives are lived in worship to God, and that God’s heart longs for an authentic relationship with us, and for God’s people to experience authentic relationship with one another.

McKenzie graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2011 with a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Christian Ministry with an emphasis on worship degree. Since graduating, McKenzie has taken advantage of any opportunity to grow as a pastor and a leader and has set her mind of more in-depth study and research on the horizon. She is also a graduate of and was faculty for Creating a Culture of Renewal®, a three-year leadership development program focused on how leaders, both lay and clergy, work with their congregations on visioning and seeing their vision come to life. During her time with CCR, she taught and mentored leaders from across the country and had a front-row seat to the transformation that happens in a church living into her God-given vision.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, McKenzie enjoys football, giving her full NFL devotion to the Jacksonville Jaguars and her college devotion to the Florida Gators. In the spirit of family fun, she will cheer on the Baltimore Ravens and the hometown Carolina Panthers. In her spare time, McKenzie relaxes with a cross-stitch project, a good book, coloring, and/or a good movie.

McKenzie is married to Rev. Dr. Craig J. Sefa, pastor at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Granite Quarry, North Carolina. Craig and McKenzie enrolled, studied, and graduated together from Asbury Theological Seminary. They have one daughter, Ariana, who enjoys anything related to art, gymnastics, ninja, performing arts, and making new friends.

“I am excited to be serving alongside the wonderful people here at Bethpage United Methodist Church! Thank you for your warm welcome, and I look forward to what God for us on the road ahead.”

Stefanie has been volunteering with our Youth Group for the past five years and in 2023 became our Youth Director. Stefanie has been a member of Bethpage UMC since 2010. She grew up going to church as a young child and dedicated her life to Jesus as a teenager. Having a Youth Group at her church made a huge impact on her life. Taking her love for Christ and her passion to be a positvie impact in our world, she is taking that fire & desire to our Youth at Bethpage UMC.

 

Stefanie is a graduate of Stanley Community College and has earned her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Not only is she passionate about our Youth, she is also passionate about teaching young children. Since 2011, Stefanie has been working in the field of Early Childhod Education, and is currently working full time at a First Bpt Church of Huntersville, serving as their TK Teacher. Stefanie is currently attending Western Carolina University to study Birth-Kindergarten Education, and plans to continue in the field of Early Childhood Education. As well as, our Youth Director at Bethpage UMC.

 

She is married to Jeremy Sellers and they have a daughter Sydney who brings joy to many church members every Sunday! Jeremy & Stefanie, and Sydney reside in Kannapolis. Jeremy is a native of the Enochville area and was raised attending Bethpage UMC as a child. Together they have made Bethpage UMC their home church and are raising their daughter with the same love & passion they have for Christ. Instilling a love of Christ in Sydneys young heart as well.

 

Stefanie is very passionate about giving back to our local community. Together with Stefanies guidance the Youth Group has taken under their wing our Community Blessings Box. “There are so many hurting people in our world, why not give back to those less fortunate than us as much as possible. Take time to look around Kannapolis, and you will see people walking down the road, sitting at street signs, and so much more. That’s why the Blessings Box has become something I am passionate about. It’s a way for me to give back to our community in an anonymous way. Filling the box with items from our own pantry at home together as a family has not only impacted myself but also Sydney. Trying to instill a generous heart in a young childs mind is something we are doing together as a family. Jesus tells us to love one another as He does us. So that’s what I am doing! Loving others through the Blessings Box even though I don’t know who comes to the box.”

 

With Stefanie’s love of Christ, and passion for serving others the Youth at Bethpage UMC will continue to come to know Christs love for them.