Staff

Rev. Rebekah Carpenter, Senior Pastor

Rev. Rebekah earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mars Hill College, where she majored in music and theatre. She holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Organizational Development from the University of West GA in Carrollton GA. She graduated in May of 2017 with a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, and was ordained on Feb. 18, 2018 at Carrollton Presbyterian Church in Carrollton, GA.  She worked with the Presbyterian Heritage Center in Montreat, N.C., and served as Pastor of Sion Presbyterian Church and as Transitional Pastor for New Hope Presbyterian Church.  Rev. Rebekah accepted the call to become Senior Pastor at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, beginning in February of 2024, bringing along her three precious daughters.

John Stanley, Elder of Visitation

After a career with PSNC Energy, a natural gas company headquartered in Gastonia, NC, John took courses leading to becoming a Commissioned Pastor in the PCUSA. He served Robinson Memorial Presbyterian, Gastonia, as a solo pastor for ten years, and served as Minister of Visitation of First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia for another ten years. He retired October 31, 2021. John is married to Rose, a Hamlet Native, and they now make their home at Scotia Village.  John began at LPC as Elder of Visitation in April of 2022.

Charles Bounds

Charles became our Business Manager in April 2017. He has been a member of LPC for more than four decades, serving as both an Elder and a Deacon, and grew up in Scotland County. He graduated from Pembroke State College (now UNC Pembroke) and worked in finance prior to retirement in 2008. His wife, two sons, and four grandchildren are also members of LPC.

Lisa Adams

Lisa joined LPC in May 2019 as Office Administrator.

José Rivera

José Rivera, Ph.D., serves as our Director of Music. José is an associate professor of choral music education and director of the University Chorale at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He is an active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He has conducted All-State and Honor Choirs in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Rhode Island. His research on Latin American choral music has been published in the NCMEA and ACDA Journals. Dr. Rivera holds the Ph.D. in Choral Conducting/Choral Music Education and a Master of Choral Music Education degree from Florida State University and currently serves as the American Choral Directors Association National Chair for Multicultural and Ethnic Perspectives.

Lee Harris, Organist