Staff

Choir Director/Pianist

Charles Ament

  Send Email    (254)216-2408

Charles was born in 1951 in Gatesville, Texas, and is a proud member of the founding family of this church.  His years of playing piano culminated with a degree in Music Education from the University of Texas.  This year marks his thirtieth year as pianist and eleventh year as choral director of his beloved First Methodist Church.




Organist

Doris Music

  Send Email    (254)447-1407

Mrs. Music is a music graduate of Texas Christian University and following graduation attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary studying in the School of Music.  Upon moving to California, she received her teaching credential and taught music in California and Texas public schools for 35 years.  In the 1980s she studied organ with Dr. Beverly Howard at California Baptist College.  Mrs. Music has served as children’s choir director and organist at churches in Tennessee, California, and Texas.




Secretary/ Office Manager

Kim Rhodes

  Send Email    (254)865-2520

Kim Rhodes grew up in Lott, TX and moved to Gatesville in 1997 with her husband Steven Rhodes who was born and raised here. Due to a career opportunity, they moved to Austin until 2022 when they were needed back home in Gatesville.  They raised two wonderful children and feel It is a blessing to be back to a community they love.

Throughout Kim’s career, she has had the opportunity to work for various companies in administrative and accounting roles. Those experiences have shown her the value of kindness, patience, honesty, and treating everyone with respect. 

Life has taught her that sometimes we may not understand the path we're on, but we can still have faith that God is leading us exactly where we need to be, and she is grateful for every lesson, every blessing, every person God has placed in her life, and every new day He's given her.




Children's Director

Augusta Welsh

  Send Email    (254)865-2520

Augusta and her family moved to Gatesville when she was 12. She graduated from Gatesville High School in 2015 before attending Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. She met her husband, Patrick, on the first day of band camp, and after graduating, they married in 2019.

Augusta and Patrick moved to Missouri while Augusta earned her master’s degree in Historic Preservation. They moved back to Gatesville in 2022, and Augusta became the church secretary in January 2023. They welcomed their son in May of that same year and their daughter in December 2024.




Nursery Supervisor

Debbie Hill

  Send Email    (254)493-2474

Debbie was born and raised in Houston and moved to Central Texas in 1984. She is married and has two daughters and five beautiful, healthy grandchildren. Debbie loves children, animals, and spending time outdoors. Her greatest joy is being with her grandchildren, whom she adores. She considers herself truly blessed and is grateful for the life God has given her. Debbie has been a faithful member of First Methodist Church for more than 30 years.




Let's Grow Learning Center Director

Collette Bledsoe

  Send Email    (254)216-5044

My name is Collette Bledsoe, and I am the Director of Let's Grow Learning Center Preschool. I have been part of the Let's Grow family for 20 years and am passionate about creating a positive, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

I consider Let's Grow my second home, and my coworkers are like family to me. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with my family.

I am grateful for the opportunity to support the children, families, and staff of Let's Grow Learning Center each day, and I look forward to helping our students build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.




Assistant Director Let's Grow Learning Center

Lori High

  Send Email    (254)865-7714

Hi, I'm Lori High, Assistant Director of Let's Grow Learning Center Preschool in Gatesville, Texas. I have worked in childcare since 1996 and owned and operated my own daycare from 2000 to 2008. I have been part of the Let's Grow family for nearly 15 years and truly love what I do.

I am a proud mother of four and grandmother of two. My husband, family, and career mean the world to me, and I feel blessed to spend each day doing work that I am passionate about.

Helping children learn, grow, and build a strong foundation for the future is incredibly rewarding, and I wouldn't change my career choice for anything. I am grateful to be part of the caring team at Let's Grow Learning Center and to serve the children and families of Gatesville and the surrounding communities.