Rev. Brian Elwell

My name is Brian Elwell, you can call me Pastor Brian if you would like. I turn 34 in 
about a month, and this July I will celebrate 9 years of full-time pastoral ministry within the 
Western North Carolina Conference.  

My wife, Elizabeth, and I celebrated our tenth anniversary last year. We have two beautiful 
daughters, Eleanor and Grace. Elizabeth is an elementary school teacher with a deep 
passion for connecting with children, helping them build confidence, and guiding their 
academic and personal growth. Eleanor is six years old and finishing first grade. She loves 
outer space; she could spend all night looking through a telescope. She enjoys doing 
cartwheels in gymnastics. Grace is four years old and entering her final year of Pre-K. She 
can be shy at first, but once she comes out of her shell, she is a ball of energy. I love my family dearly. 

I am a graduate of Duke Divinity School and I obtained my bachelor’s degree from Campbell 
University. I enjoy reading about history, theology from the Cappadocian Fathers, and diving into 
the contemplatives like Thomas Merton or Henri Nouwen. And yet, I do not read theology all day 
long. I also love to read a good science fiction book. My hobbies are woodworking and rooting 
for my Duke Blue Devils.  

I was 16 years old when I first sensed a call into ministry, and since that day I have committed 
myself to this vocation. I love to preach, listen to the needs of the community, and help others 
understand their God-given gifts. I believe we all have a vocation from God. As Frederick 
Buechner has said, “Our vocation is where our gifts collide with the world’s needs.” My goal as a 
pastor is to help the church understand its gifts and see how they connect in vital ways to the 
needs of the community.  

I am excited for the opportunity to serve at Wilkesboro United Methodist Church. I look forward 
to dreaming God-size dreams, and learning how our church can share the Gospel message of 
love to this wonderful town and world.