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. Juliana Lindenberg, Assistant Rector

Juliana graduated from The College of Wooster in Ohio with a double major in Spanish and Religious Studies. Following her graduation, she worked in a homeless shelter through Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Minneapolis where she met her future husband, David, who was director of the local food pantry. In 1998 Juliana moved to Atlanta to pursue a joint Master's in Law and Divinity at Emory University.  However, discerning God's call and plan for her life, she decided to drop her law studies to concentrate on her divinity degree.  Juliana and David married in 2000 and in 2001 she completed her Master's of Divinity.  Juliana and David moved to Yuma, Arizona, where she served as a hospital chaplain and later the family moved to Memphis where she worked in Alzheimer's research for the University of Tennessee.  Again allowing God to wield his design for her life, in 2006 she accepted a position as Chaplain and Director of Student Life for students in kindergarten through fifth grades at St. George's Independent School.  She was ordained a deacon in June 2010 and began working part time at St. Elisabeth's Episcopal Church shortly thereafter.  Juliana and David are the parents of two sons, Noah and Gabriel.  They enjoy board games, long walks with their dogs and most of all being closer to their family! 

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.

Paulette Pridgen, Communications Director

Paulette Pridgen joined the church staff in 2011 as our Communications Director.  She earned her Bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and her Master's from Duke University.  Previously she wrote proposals and budgets for academic and contract research organizations which conducted clinical drug trials for pharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide.  Paulette's hobbies are walking, collecting rocks, camping, reading science fiction and mysteries, and making jewelry.  Her cats rule her life: Snickers, Cochise, the Duke of Marmalade and the newest addition, Shepherd.

Tom Parker, Receptionist

Tom Parker joined the Good Shepherd staff in 2011 as receptionist.Tom is a native of Rocky Mount and a graduate of NC Wesleyan College with a degree in music/organ performance.  He comes to Good Shepherd office with several years of church office administration and banking experience.  He has served several churches in the Rocky Mount area as organist and is currently the music director and organist at Littleton United Methodist Church in Littleton, NC.  In his spare
time, he enjoys teaching private piano lessons.

Virginia Turner, Bookkeeper

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.

Lora Benz, Sexton

Born on Long Island, New York, Lora moved to North Carolina in 1996,where she attended Nash Community College. Lora possesses both Childhood Certificates I and II and is a state-certified phlebotomist as well. Lora began her challenging, yet rewarding career as the caretaker/housekeeping engineer at the Good Shepherd in September . Lora has been married to Eric Benz for 23 years and they have four beautiful sons: Daniel, 14; Phillip, 19 (who attends ECU); Matthew, 29; and Jonny, 32. She's the proud grandma of three: Danny, Samantha and Anna. Lora's motto is, "whatever you do in life, keep on striving for excellence and challenge yourself in all you do."

Mary Alston, Nursery Attendant

Mary was born in Nashville but has lived in Rocky Mount since 1993.  She has been working with children for over 15 years and received her associate's degree  in Early Childhood Education from Edgecombe Community College in 2000.  She joined the Good Shepherd Day School staff in 2002 as Lead Teacher  in the Preschool classroom.  She has been the Toddler Teacher for three years.  Mary is the mother of two wonderful children, Desmond (25) and Jaletta (23) and grandmother of four:  Ryan (4), Jania (2), Ke'Moria (2) and Da'Shaia (1).  When she isn't spending time with her family and friends, Mary enjoys  singing, dancing, reading and shopping.  Her philosophy is simple:  treat each child as an individual and with love and respect.