Serena Ray Pearce, Director of Music Ministries

MY STORY

I have been blessed to be raised in a Christian home by a devout Methodist father and a mother who was raised and baptized at Bethany Baptist. Nine years old was a big year for me: I decided to take Confirmation classes which led to sprinkle baptism and my first communion; I had several spiritually meaningful experiences at Bethany through summer Revival and VBS when I visited my mother’s parents; I started piano lessons which would be very important to my music career; my family moved from the Charlotte school district I was in where I had a teacher who let all who had a Bible to read scripture before the class, so I talked my parents into buying me my first Bible before we moved! I have had many spiritual experiences since then, including much time in prayer. When I married Clyde T. Pearce, a strong Christian and Bethany Baptist member, I was immersed in baptism when I became a member.

Music has been an important part of my life, both in and out of church. Because my father was a member of the Adult Choir, the director had me sing my first church solo at 5 years old. I always had a yearning to sing for the Lord and have been blessed to be a part of many Christian musical presentations. My East Mecklenburg High School Choral Director inspired me to be a school choir director. I was hired to be the part time Music Director at Bethany Baptist in 1973. I have used my college studies and my experience with hymns and choral specials in both Methodist and Baptist churches to start 5 of the 6 music groups at Bethany and to prepare the music for each worship service. I feel the Lord has wanted me, as a church music director, to allow as many Christians who want to praise the Lord, through their God given talents, the opportunity to do so.

MY FAMILY

My husband, Clyde, and I have been married for 40 years as of 2013. We have one married daughter, Christa, who grew up and was baptized at Bethany. She married a Christian, Brent Honeycutt, and they have two funny and smart daughters, Karli and Kelcey.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Music in Education – University of North Carolina- Greensboro (1973)
Masters of Music in Education – Meredith College (1987)

Retired from teaching Middle School/High School Chorus and Drama in 2006; 33 years of teaching

HOBBIES AND PASSIONS

I have long enjoyed interior design. In fact, I drew the floor plans for the home we presently live in and selected the majority of the materials to decorate it. I watch a lot of HGTV and subscribe to home magazines. I, also, love to read, especially Christian fiction. I enjoy any time I can get with my husband and daughter and her family.

LIFE BIBLE VERSES

Serena:
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13)

Clyde:
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3 KJV)

FAVORITES

Movies:
A Christmas Carol (“God bless us, everyone!”); It’s A Wonderful Life; Miracle on 34th Street; White Christmas

Television Shows:
HGTV Shows: Candice Olsen’s Shows; Property Brothers’ Shows; Love It or List It Shows; Plus Blue Bloods

Favorite Authors:
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, Lori Wick, Dee Henderson, Karen Kingsbury, Robert Whitlow (his first book inspired the Prayer Room in our home)