Good Shepherd Staff
Our Mission:

We are a bold community of leaders who offer a simple, abundant, sustaining message for friend and stranger to experience the power of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Rev. R. Scott White, Rector

Scott White was called to Good Shepherd in 2004.  He received his Bachelor's degree in Communications from Rhode Island College in 1989 and his Master's in divinity from the General Theological Seminary in 1996.  In 2001 he was awarded a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University and is currently a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Ministry from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Before entering seminary, Scott worked on and around the water in Newport, Rhode Island and from his early teens was involved in the boat-building industry building performance sailing yachts in the 40' to 50' range.  Scott also worked in public relations.  Upon graduation from General Seminary, Scott became Assistant Rector at St. Martin's in Charlotte, NC.  Two years later he became Associate Rector at Christ Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Scott is an avid sailor, having raced in both offshore and inshore competitions, a yoga enthusiast, and finds running a spiritual practice.  Scott is married to Missy Sherburne who is Vice President of DonorsChoose.org, a non-profit website that raises money for public schools.  Missy and Scott are the parents of two sons, Samuel and Harrison. 

The Rev. Stephanie L. Allen, Assistant Rector

Stephanie Allen was ordained to the Diaconate on March of 2008 and the Priesthood in September of 2008. Stephanie is  thrilled to join the parish of Good Shepherd in June, 2008.  Born and raised in a small town outside of Asheville, North Carolina, and after completing her bachelor’s degree in theatre at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, Stephanie left the clean Appalachian air to explore the wilderness of New York City.  After a brief survival job in an executive recruitment firm, she found herself working on the lay staff for a large Episcopal church rather than in the theatre, and quickly found that church and theatre had much in common.  Sponsored for ordination by the Diocese of New York, Stephanie completed her Masters of Divinity at the General Theological Seminary in NYC, and is now very happy to return to her home state.

Stephanie is an avid knitter and looks forward to reading something other than theology for fun.  She brings with her to Rocky Mount her husband Michael, a theatrical set designer who works in theatre, film, television, and commercial display, and their two children, Sarah Kate and Brandt, who are very excited to have a backyard to play in.

The Rev. Deacon Louise T. Anderson, Deacon

Louise Anderson was ordained to the Diaconate in November 2005 and came to Good Shepherd after her ordination.  She is a native of Rocky Mount and now lives in Tarboro with her husband, Sammy, their son, Matt, and two cats, Sugar and Oreo.  Before ordination Louise worked in banking for fifteen years and then was a stay at home mom for seven years.  She now serves on the Board of Directors for Tarboro Community Outreach, a shelter for the homeless, food pantry, and soup kitchen.  At Good Shepherd Church she works with the Lay Eucharistic Ministers, the Pastoral Care Commission, and has led a youth Mission Trip to San Jose, Cost Rica and an Adult Mission Trip to Limon, Costa Rica.  Louise enjoys spending her free time with her family in Bath, North Carolina sailing on the waters of the Pamlico River.  Her other favorite pastimes are reading, cooking, and needlepoint.

Lawrence Goering, Organist and Choir Director

Lawrence Goering, a native of eastern North Carolina, began organ study while in high school in Kinston, NC.  At East Carolina University, he studied organ with E. Robert Irwin, Mark Gansor, and Janette Fishell.  After graduating from East Carolina University with a B.M. in organ performance and sacred music, he remained as a staff member in the music library for ten years.  During this time he took further organ lessons with Janette Fishell.  He has played recitals at several churches in eastern NC and in Reykjavik, Iceland.  Prior to coming to Good Shepherd in 1991, he served Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Disciples of Christ congregations in eastern NC.  In addition to his ministry at Good Shepherd, he maintains a private studio of piano, organ and voice students.  Recently, he served as a consultant for a new pipe organ project at another church.  He is a member of the American Guild of Organists (past Dean of the East Carolina Chapter), the rocky Mount Piano Teachers' Association, and the board of the Tar River Orchestra and Chorus.  He regularly attends the annual East Carolina Religious Arts Festival and the Sewanee Church Music Conference.  When not making, directing, or teaching music, Lawrence enjoys walking, hiking, cooking, reading, and art.

Sheryll Barnes, Administrative Assistant

Sheryll joined the church staff in 2000 as the Administrative Assistant.  Prior to working at Good Shepherd, she was employed at Nash Health Care Systems for 20 years with the last seven being in the Administration Department at Nash General Hospital.  She has been married to Richard ("Dicky") for 25 years.  They have three dogs, Sassy, Butch, and Sammy; three cats, Grady, Mr. Kitty, and Forest; and a bird, Petey. 

Virginia Turner, Bookkeeper

Virginia has many years of office and bookkeeping experience including a position at a church.  Virginia's contact information is vturner@goodshepherdrmt.org and 442-1134 x223.  At Good Shepherd Virginia is responsible for all bookkeeping functions including receiving and recording pledge contributions to the church, tuition payments to the Day School, making reports to the Vestry, overseeing payroll for the church and Day School, accounts payable and more.  If you have any questions about your contributions to Good Shepherd please give Virginia a call.  If she doesn't know the answer immediately she will find it out and get back with you.  Thank you Virginia!

Jackie Wilkins, Day School Director

A native of Rocky Mount, I join the Day School staff in 1983 where i worked in several positions. I love working with children watching them grow and develop each day. I have seen many children start as infants in our program, continue until they are off to kindergarten. I have also had the pleasure of watching some of Good Shepherd children graduate from high school and several from college. I now serve some of their families. Having all 3 of my children start here as infants and graduate from our Pre-K program has been a blessing! Spending time with my family is what i enjoy most. My husband of 20 years is Kenneth Wilkins, we have 3 children, Kathryn(10), JaQuan(13) and Kenneth Jr.(18) who now attends East Carolina University. Go Pirates!! If you would like information about the Day School please feel free to contact me.