Staff Bio’s

United Methodist Church

Mountain View

Robert Countiss — Pastor

A lifelong United Methodist and an Ordained Minister for over 25 years, Robert Countiss was appointed as pastor of the church in June of 2009. Robert grew up in Bristol, VA, attending the city schools and was a member of Reynolds Memorial UMC.

 

Robert is a graduate of Emory & Henry College (B.A.), Duke University (M.Div.) and Emmanuel School of Religion (D.Min.) and has served churches in the Holston Conference in both Virginia and Tennessee.

 

He is married to Carla, a native of Blountville, TN, and together they are the parents of Amanda, a student at King College, and Jacob, a student at Dobyns-Bennett High School.

Eric Reagan — Director of Music, Worship Leader, Chancel and Cherub Choir Director

Vicky Gibson — Secretary

Vicky is a native of Macon, Mississippi, and has been on staff at Mountain View since December 1991. She graduated from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi. Vicky is married to Gary, a native of Kingsport, and both are members of Ketron Memorial UMC. They have 2 daughters, Melanie and Holly, and 3 grandsons (2 are twins) who live in Nashville, TN.

Donna grew up in Kingsport and graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Business Administration.  She and her husband, David, became members of Mountain View in 1993 and Donna has been on staff since Aug. 2000.  David and Donna have 2 college age sons, Drew and Matthew.

Donna Patrick — Business Manager

Darla Harlow — Custodian

Darla has served as custodian at Mountain View for 16 years and as one of our Day School teachers for 29 years. She is a native of Reno, Nevada. Darla has been married to Carvis Harlow for 38 years and they have two daughters and three grandsons. They are members of Indian Springs Baptist Church.

Tonni Carrigan — Elementary Choir, Handbell, and Instrumental Director

The youth and adult handbell choirs and the instrumental ensemble perform during the traditional service at Mountain View several times throughout the year.  The children’s choir sings for both worship services and presents two major programs each year.

 

Tonni Carrigan serves as the director of these groups.  She graduated from Butler University with a music education degree.  She has over 25 years of experience in public school teaching in Indiana, Arizona,

Texas, and Tennessee, and has taught grades Pre-K through 12. She is currently teaching grades K-2 at Joseph Rogers Primary School in Hawkins County. Her church music experience includes directing choirs of all ages, singing in the Chancel Choir, and playing the piano.

Sharon Erwin — Day School Director

Sharon is a native of Kingsport and a graduate of Sullivan South High School and ETSU (degree in Health Education). Sharon has been the director at Mountain View Day School for nine years. She is married to Mike and they have 3 children: Brad, a freshman at UT, Shelby, a senior at Sullivan South, and Emily, a 7th grader at Colonial Heights Middle School. Sharon and her family are members of Double Springs Baptist Church where they are involved in many activities.

Karen was born in Texas and moved with her family to the Kingsport area in elementary school.  She graduated from Sullivan Central High School and attended ETSU and the University of Tennessee. Karen has 6 children ranging in age from 26 years to 5 years; 2 sons-in-law, and 4  grandchildren.  
Karen has worked in Christian Education for 25 years; serving as Youth Leader/Director,  Sunday School Teacher/Director,  Nursery Director, Vacation Bible School Teacher/Director, Children’s Chapel Leader/Director,  Church-wide Special Events Coordinator. Along with her duties at Mountain View she is also self-employed as a home child care provider.  Karen's hobbies include quilting, sewing, reading, and spending time with her family.  Karen says that she has been very blessed by serving at Mountain View and her goal is to provide encouraging, challenging, spiritual growth opportunities on the children's journey of discipleship. 

Karen Throp — Director of Children’s Ministries

“Ryan Ford is something of a myth – he is the stuff of legend.” So say his friends and close confidants. He and his wife Holly hail from the land of Louisiana, where Ryan graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication. Ryan has held positions at a Christian family camp and has extensive experience in college ministry. After serving as a student leader at the Louisiana Tech Wesley Foundation, Ryan was employed as an intern. Ryan and Holly were married in 2008 after a long friendship that began in high school. Holly graduates in December 2010 from ETSU’s 2nd degree nursing program. Ryan enjoys backpacking, reading, pottery, mountain biking, and slaying orcs with his elvish blade. In addition to being the Youth Director at Mountain View, Ryan is a coffee snob, a free-lance writer, and a master tree-feller.

Ryan Ford — Director of Youth Ministries