Dr. Heather Kilbourne is the director of Faith in Rural Communities. She grew up surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Marion. She previously pastored United Methodist churches in rural towns and communities including Hamptonville, Morganton, and Statesville. Prior to becoming a minister, she worked as a nonprofit administrator for Family Services Center and Teach For America.

Dr. Kilbourne has always felt a calling to serve marginalized families and communities. She assisted in starting three Circles communities, a program to help families out of poverty by building relationships across class barriers and increasing individual social capital.  She is a former Bridges Out of Poverty trainer.

She holds her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina-Asheville, a master’s of divinity, and a doctorate in ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, and walking her dog, Hanna.

After 12 years of full-time, pastoral ministry, Darren transitioned to the NC Rural Center in 2022 and serves as the senior program manager of Faith in Rural Communities. A graduate of REDI 29 and a participant in FIRC in 2018, his passion is found in community building in the name of Christ.

Darren has been a full-time clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2010 and was ordained as an elder in full connection in 2016. He has a degree in manufacturing engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a master of divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry from Duke Divinity School with an emphasis on rural church ministries. He is so thankful for the opportunities to serve God in rural communities.

In his free time, he enjoys time away with his wonderful wife and four beautiful children.

The Rev. Elizabeth Styron is our Virtual Connect program manager for the Faith in Rural Communities team. In this role, she works to expand the reach of FIRC’s successful, in-person Connect Church program by developing and piloting a new virtual version. She’ll be leading the nationwide initiative, helping partners create mission-driven engagement strategies by tapping into and leveraging their local strengths and community assets.

Elizabeth has spent over 10 years curating spaces and experiences that spark transformative growth that can lead to lasting impact.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from North Carolina State University, along with dual graduate degrees — a master’s of divinity from from Duke University and a master’s in social work from UNC-Chapel Hill. She’s also an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. A proud daughter of two military veterans, Elizabeth grew up traveling the world and now calls Durham home.