Staff
Pastoral Staff
Earle Baker- Senior Pastor
Earle Baker has been on staff at Avenue since July 1999. He is a native of Denton, MD and a graduate of United Wesleyan College (B.S.) and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.A.R. and M.Div.). He has been ordained since 1978, and has served as pastor of several United Methodist Churches in Maryland and Delaware.
Earle serves on the boards of Peninsula United Methodist Homes Foundation, the Board of Childcare, and the Commission of Archives and History. He has chaired the Dover District Committee on Ministry and is a past president of the Milford Ministerium.
Earle is married to Lisa Anderson Baker, who teaches pre-school at Avenue. They have one son, Andy, who is in High School. Earle can be reached in the church office at 302-422-8111 or by e-mailing earle.baker@avenueumc.com
Phyllis Walton- Pastor of Discipleship Ministries
Phyllis joined the Avenue staff in July of 2005. She is a native of North Carolina and graduated from Wilmington College with a B.A. and later from Wesley Theological Seminary with an M.Div. Phyllis was ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in June 2006.
Phyllis is married to Kenny Walton and they have three children and three grandchildren. Phyllis can be reached by calling the church office at 302-422-8111 or by e-mailing her at phyllis.walton@avenueumc.com
Steve LaMotte- NextGen Pastor
Steve LaMotte joined the Avenue staff in May of 2001 as Youth Pastor. He is originally from Greenville, PA and graduated from Asbury College with a B.S. in Christian Ministries and Missions. Steve attends Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa and is working on his Master's of Divinity degree.
Steve's work within the church has grown from Fusion Student ministry to leading the H2O Worship Gathering at Avenue Church and working with Young Adults. He has a passion to see young people experience the presence of God in their lives.
Steve is married to Andrea LaMotte. Andrea is a teacher at the Charlton School in Dover. Their first child, Abigail, was born in June of 2007. In their free time, they enjoy outdoor activities, sports, and going to the beach. Steve can be reached by calling the church office at 302-422-8111 or by e-mailing steve.lamotte@avenueumc.com
Steven Wiseman- Youth Pastor
Steven Wiseman joined the Avenue staff in September 2008 as Youth Pastor. He is originally from Marion, IL and graduated from McKendree University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He has been doing youth ministry since July 2003. He has a passion for students. His personal mission statement is “To bring hope and light to a dark and broken generation.” He does this by showing God’s love in him and through him.
Steven is married to Leslie Wiseman. Leslie has a certificate in Massage Therapy and also is a certified nursing assistant. Their first child, Myles, was born in December 2007. As a family they enjoy hiking, swimming and traveling. Steven can be reached by calling the church office at 302-422-8111 or by e-mail him at steven.wiseman@avenueumc.com
Kevin B. Chamberlain- Minister of Music and Organist
Kevin Chamberlain joined the Avenue staff in November 2008. He is originally from Southern New Jersey, but has resided in Seaford, Delaware from an early age. He recently graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas with his Master of Music degree in Church Music and Organ Performance. Prior to going to Texas, Kevin received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with an emphasis in Church Music and Organ from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Kevin has served numerous churches as organist in Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas. Prior to coming to Avenue, he served as Organist at Granbury First United Methodist Church in Granbury, Texas, and as Director of Worship Arts and Organist at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Seaford. He serves as the accompanist for the Delaware Choral Society, and other groups as needed. He is also an active member of the Capital Handbell Ringers based in Dover, Delaware.
He has actively been serving in the church since he started taking organ lessons at the age of 14. Kevin has a strong desire to encourage all believers to come into a deeper relationship with Christ through music, and it is his desire for all believers to lift their voices to God through music as we worship a Great and Mighty God!
Ann Wilson- Director of Life Stage Ministries
Ann is a volunteer member of the Avenue Pastoral team. She is a retired ordained Deacon in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference who encourages spiritual growth, faith development, and community service. A native of Sussex County, she is a graduate of Perkins TheologicalSeminary of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She has served in a variety of positions as a lay member and clergy member in New Jersey, Texas, and Delaware. She and her husband, Bob, live in Lewes, and have four adult children and six grandchildren. Ann can be contacted through the Church Office at 302.422.8111 or by e-mail at ann.wilson@avenueumc.com
Support Staff
Barbara Fleetwood- Secretary
Barbara has been Avenue's secretary since June 2000. Barbara is a life-long Delaware native. She has been married to Charlie Fleetwood for 36 years. They are active in the community life of Milton, and enjoy time off in Colonial Williamsburg. Barbara can be reach in the church office by calling 302-422-8111 or by e-mail at avechurchoffice@verizon.net or barbara.fleetwood@avenueumc.com
Norleen Pearson- Receptionist
Norleen came to Avenue in March of 2005. A native of Georgetown, Norleen has worked for the State of Delaware in various capacities. Norleen is single and has one daughter and two grandchildren. Norleen can be reached in the church office or by e-mailing her at norleen.pearson@avenueumc.com
