Pastor
Dr. Candace Barron

Dr. Candace Barron is the Pastor of Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church and Amboy United Methodist Church.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Secondary Education with an Interdisciplinary Minor from Texas A&M University in Commerce, (2002). She received a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in 2007, and a doctorate from Houston Graduate School of Theology in May 2011, specializing in Pastoral Leadership and Small Group Ministry. She has worked in the Arkansas Conference since 2008. As her first appointment, she served a small congregation in East Texas for four and a half years. She then moved to Trinity UMC-Little Rock as an Associate for three years and then Senior Pastor of Geyer Springs & St. Luke in Little Rock for two years. She recently served as Associate Director of the Center for Clergy & Laity Excellence in Leadership for the Arkansas Annual Conference.

Before entering the ministry, she was a member of the US Army Military Police where she was the first woman to serve on a 3-Star General’s Protection Detail and the youngest woman to be sent to train at the NCO Academy. After serving eight years in the Army, she then worked for a pharmaceutical company for ten years as their Operations Manager.

She has one daughter, Maryssa, who is starting her fourth year at Harvard University. She lives with three dogs, Luke, George and Demi, plus one cat, Simone.

She currently serves on the Arkansas Interfaith Alliance Board and the chairperson of the Arkansas United Methodist Museum Board.

Administrative Assistant
Joy Cameron

Joy is a life long member of Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church. She started working for the church in 1986. She has served as Director of Program and Outreach and Youth Director. She currently serves as Financial Secretary and Administrative Assistant. She is married and has two sons. Her family lives in Sherwood, AR.