Pastoral and Ministry Staff
Claude McRoberts
Senior Pastor
334.262.3892 ext. 126
Claude was born and reared in Jackson, Mississippi. He attended Ole Miss where he graduated with an MA in English (1986). Upon graduating from Ole Miss, Claude attended Reformed Theological Seminary earning an MDiv (1990).
He is married to Betsy Berry McRoberts of Tunica, Mississippi. Claude and Betsy have three children: Claude, IV, Nan and Abbey. The McRoberts love anything to do with sports and enjoy watching and attending sporting events.
Patrick Curles
Executive Pastor
334.262.3892 ext. 129
Patrick, born in Birmingham, Alabama, was raised in Albany, Georgia. He is the youngest of four children and grew up in the Presbyterian church where his father served as minister. Patrick received his B.A. (history) degree from Auburn University in 1990 and his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1994.
He and his wife Laurie have three children: Wesley, Anna Lee and Mary.
Michael Howell
Minister of Pastoral Care
334.262.3892 ext. 121
Michael is from Hartselle, Alabama. He holds degrees from Jacksonville State University (BA), and Reformed Theological Seminary (MCE and Mdiv).
He and his wife, Frosty, have four adult children and six grandchildren. His hobbies include hiking, camping, hunting, and reading.
Kurt Cooper
Minister to Youth
334.262.3892 ext. 152
Kurt was born in Charleston, South Carolina, but calls Tupelo, Mississippi, his hometown. He is married to Marty, also from Tupelo, and they have two sons, Campbell and Grayson.
Kurt received a B.A. in business administration from Mississippi State University, and his M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary.
Becky Canerday
Director of Outreach and Women's Ministries
334.262.3892 ext. 134
Becky grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and is a lifelong Presbyterian. She and her husband, Vic, have two grown children, Bucky and Jannell. She graduated from Auburn University and has been on staff at Trinity Church since 1985.
Becky enjoys needlepointing, gardening, hiking, bicycling and hunting.
Stacy Hamilton
Director of Children's Ministries
334.262.3892 ext. 144
Stacy Hamilton, a native of Montgomery, is a graduate of Trinity Presbyterian School and Auburn University. She and her husband, Whit, have two children, Meri Dean and Whit, Jr.
She enjoys reading, watching old movies, and spending time with her children.
Shea Henry
Girls Ministry Coordinator
334.262.3892 ext. 145
Shea has been a member of Trinity since 2012, and graduated from Trinity Presbyterian School in 2016. She graduated from Auburn University in May 2020 with a degree in Human and Family Studies.
Shea was an Auburn University cheerleader from 2017-2020, and was also active in the Auburn Student Athlete Advisory Committee, FCA, and community service throughout the Auburn-Opelika area.
Mark Nabholz
Director of Music
334.262.3892 ext. 137
Mark Nabholz was born in northern Minnesota into a pastor’s home. He met his wife, Fran, while they were both students at Houghton College (NY). He earned his M.M. in conducting at the Eastman School of Music, and his D.M.A. in choral conducting from the University of South Carolina-Columbia. Before joining the staff at Trinity in 2021, he was Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi College, near Jackson.
Shannon Murphy
Organist and Music Assistant
334.262.3892 ext. 132
Shannon holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and a Master of Music in Organ Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. She has served as Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford, New Jersey, and Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship in Manhattan. She has also served as Assistant Director of the New York City Children’s Chorus.
In 2012 she founded the Murphy Piano Studio, where she teaches private piano and organ lessons. Under her coaching, several students have won spots at both the Mark Twain School for the Gifted and Talented, and LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Art.
