Leadership

Pastor Brian West was appointed to Grand Blanc UMC beginning July 1, 2020. He is joined by his loving wife, Dr. Stephanie West, a family medicine physician in the Grand Blanc area, and their three children: Matthew, Micah, and Jane. Pastor Brian and Stephanie have been married since 2013 and have enjoyed making wonderful and lasting memories with their family ever since.
 
Pastor Brian received his undergraduate in 2009 from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio (GO PURPLE RAIDERS!), and then attended seminary at Methodist Theological School in Ohio (Delaware, OH) where he graduated in 2012 with a Master of Divinity. Prior to coming to Grand Blanc UMC, Pastor Brian served in his first appointment in the Michigan area as the lead pastor at Laingsburg United Methodist Church in Laingsburg, MI where he served for 8 years.
 
Pastor Brian has a passion for meaningful and vital worship, passionate preaching, creative and engaging teaching, and engaging in a ministry of presence in the communities he serves. He has also has a passion for online outreach ministry. He believes it is important to see the church building and property as just one tool for vital ministry, while also remaining open to the idea that ministry can also be done over breakfast at a diner, in the aisles of the grocery store, in a park, at a high school sporting event, etc. Pastor Brian also shares a passion for leading the church at the intersection of church and society, serving and being in ministry with those at the margins of our communities and society, and expressing love and care for all people and creation.

Andrew Cramer is a classically trained solo and collaborative pianist, critically acclaimed for his “golden touch” (Music Teachers National Association) and “dominating” performances (BG Independent News). A cosmopolitan performer, Andrew has made musical appearances across the United States and Europe, with notable performances for Yo-Yo Ma, Russel Miller, and Michigan Government Officials. Outside of his work as Traditional Music, Chancel Choir, and Celebration Ringers Director at Grand Blanc United Methodist Church, Andrew also works as Collaborative Piano Faculty at the University of Michigan, Flint, and is an active performing pianist and drummer around the greater Flint area. He received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan Flint, and his Master of Music from Bowling Green State University. 

Gary is is a popular folklorist, talented musician, singer and songwriter from his beloved state of Michigan, and can be found performing throughout the state!  Gary has been leading GBUMC's "Common Grace" in worship, as well as in music outreach programs in the Grand Blanc community.