Our Leadership
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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.
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Brittany Bethel (she/her)
Brittany began her journey in Student Ministry in 2003 and has since served with several churches and teams, all united by the goal of helping students encounter the love of Jesus.
She currently serves as Executive Director of Cross Connection, where she has been involved since 2004 and joined the administrative staff in 2012. She first served as the Overseas Administrator, supporting churches seeking to experience God through international service, and stepped into the Executive Director role in 2017.
A native of Texas, Brittany holds a BA in Music, an MA in Worship Theology, and an EdD in Organizational Leadership.
Brittany and her wife, Taylor, live in Charlotte, NC. Her deep experience in both the nonprofit and church worlds has shaped her passion for building organizations that reflect inclusive leadership, ensuring everyone has a place at the table.
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Tracy Vassil (she/her) was born and raised in Minnesota, but relocated to North Carolina after graduating from college (Winona State University) in 1996 with degrees in elementary education and music. She married her husband, Jimmy, in 2001 and they moved to the Charlotte area in 2005. They have two girls, Caroline and Alayna. Their family has been members at Light of Christ since 2013 and Tracy has served as a volunteer with the praise team, children’s ministry and student ministry.
Tracy is an elementary teacher and has taught students in every grade from Kindergarten through 6th grade. She enjoys having conversations with students and loves when they make deep connections that some adults do not.
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Taylor Whitley (She/Her) serves as the Director of Communications at Reconciling Ministries Network, where she helps tell the stories of a movement working toward a Church that fully celebrates, affirms, and empowers LGBTQ+ people. She believes the Church should be a place where every person is embraced for their authentic self and never has to wonder whether they belong. Her work is shaped by a deep commitment to justice, curiosity, and creating spaces where people can ask honest questions and grow together.
Taylor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is currently pursuing her Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary. She brings experience in ministry leadership, digital communications, curriculum development, and community care, weaving together creativity and clarity to support churches and individuals on the journey toward deeper affirmation.
Taylor lives in Charlotte, NC, with her wife, Brittany, and their two dogs, Sully and Wilson. She loves Duke basketball, spending time with friends and family, good books, hand embroidery, and discovering the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants any small town has to offer.
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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.