Our Leadership
Lead Pastor
Rev. Marianne Romanat (She/Her) is the Lead Pastor at Light of Christ United Methodist Church. A native of Charlotte, Marianne attended North Carolina State University where she studied Mathematics and Math Education. During college, Marianne began to experience God’s call to ministry when she served one summer as a short-term missionary in Kenya through the United Methodist Church. After college, Marianne briefly taught high school mathematics but God’s call was persistent, and she decided to attend seminary. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1997.
Marianne met her husband Kyle in 1999 and they married in 2001. They have four children, Josh and Caleb (Marianne’s stepsons) and Marisa and Austin. As a family, they enjoy travel, riding bicycles, hiking, eating out, and simply enjoying time together.
Marianne’s calling from God is particularly for those who are disconnected from God and/or the Church. Through preaching, teaching, and spiritual conversation, she mentors people in various stages of their walk with Christ. She considers it a true privilege to serve Light of Christ, a church that is authentic, diverse, missional, adaptive, and responsive to the needs of others.
Director of Student & Adult Discipleship
Taylor Whitley (She/Her) is a North Carolina native and has lived in the Charlotte area for most of her life. She has a degree in Applied Psychology from UMASS - Amherst and is currently working towards her Masters of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary. She served as the Director of Student Ministries at Forest Hill UMC in Concord, NC, from 2009-2014 and has volunteered with the student ministry at LOC for the past three years. She is excited to work in the church once again! She envisions the church as a space where everyone is celebrated and embraced for their authentic selves. Her hope is to become an integral part of the LOC team, contributing to the continuation of safe, curious, and brave spaces for individuals to grow in their faith.
Taylor is married to Brittany and they have two pups, Sully and Wilson. She loves Duke basketball, spending time with her friends and family, good books, and finding the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant any small town has to offer.
Kids City Director
Grace Zelen (She/Her) is the Director of Children's Ministries at Light of Christ. Grace was born and raised in Indian Trail, NC. She graduated from Appalachian State University in 2021 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. She previously taught third grade in Union County.
Grace has always enjoyed working with children, and believes that children play a great part in the growth of the church.
Director of Worship & Media Ministries
Lauren Lanham (She/Her) has lived in Charlotte her entire life. She has always loved music and felt God’s call to Worship Leadership in high school, when she began playing with worship teams. Lauren also enjoys working with our Tech Team, as well as updating our social media.
Her hope is that you feel welcome and free to participate in worshiping with us.
Lead Worship Singer
A Native of Pennsylvania, Christopher Raleigh (He/Him) relocated to Charlotte in 2020. Christopher attended and completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he majored in Sociology and minored in music (Voice).Christopher attended Tabernacle Bible College & Seminary, where he obtained his master’s in religious arts with a concentration in Christian Counseling. Christopher is attending NorthCentral University while completing the Licensure requirements to function as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
“Music is a universal language that can reach every soul”
Finance Coordinator & Church Administrator
Karen Larson (She/Her) is a wife and mother of four, and she works part-time at LOC. She attended the University of NC at Charlotte, graduating with 2 degrees, one in Finance, the other in Accounting. After college, Karen worked as an Internal Auditor and CPA. Karen grew up in Charlotte attending Wesley UMC. She married Jim Larson in 1996 at Central UMC. Karen and Jim were members of Matthews UMC until joining LOC a few weeks after it was founded in 2001.
Karen enjoys working at LOC, as well as volunteering at church, as room mom for her children at their schools, and as an organizer for her children’s swim teams. She enjoys being mom to her four children and spending time rooting them on at their various activities.