Celia Halfacre
Senior Pastor
Celia came to First United Methodist Church Victoria in July 2024. She and her husband Matthew have been married since 2012. Matthew works in crime records for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Celia completed her Bachelor of Arts in Language and Composition at the University of North Texas in 1998, her Master's in Divinity at Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology in 2009, and her Doctorate of Ministry at Perkins School of Theology in 2019. She is a member of the Order of Saint Luke, currently serving as the Prior General for the Order. Her scholastic interests include liturgical writing and the study of hospitality in the Biblical tradition. For fun, she loves to read, to frequent the local symphony and theater, and to play golf.
Please reach out to her via email.
Email: CeliaHalfacre@fumcvictoria.com
Please reach out to her via email.
Email: CeliaHalfacre@fumcvictoria.com
Keith Cox
heather linville
Director of Music
Business Manager
Originally from Kountze, Texas, Keith came to the Victoria area and joined the congregation of FUMC in 2010, and later joined the staff as Associate Music Director in 2019. He attended Texas A&M University where he studied accounting, management information systems, and music. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists and holds the Service Playing Certification with that organization. Prior to FUMC, he served as organist/music director at Zion Lutheran Church in Mission Valley, Texas. Outside of his time at FUMC, Keith works as a CPA, serving clients in the Victoria Crossroads area.
Email: KeithCox@fumcvictoria.com
Email: KeithCox@fumcvictoria.com
Heather has been part of the First United Methodist Church family since 2015. She graduated from the University of Houston-Victoria with a degree in Business Management.
A lifelong Victoria native, Heather now calls Cuero home (Go Gobblers!). She is the proud mom of three children: Kayla, Carter, and Cooper, and is enjoying her newest role as a grandmother to her sweet grandson, Calvin.
Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at the church, getting lost in a good book, cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, relaxing by the water, and, of course, enjoying lots and lots of coffee.
Email: HeatherLinville@fumcvictoria.com
A lifelong Victoria native, Heather now calls Cuero home (Go Gobblers!). She is the proud mom of three children: Kayla, Carter, and Cooper, and is enjoying her newest role as a grandmother to her sweet grandson, Calvin.
Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at the church, getting lost in a good book, cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, relaxing by the water, and, of course, enjoying lots and lots of coffee.
Email: HeatherLinville@fumcvictoria.com
kathy frels
Wesley Nurse
Kathy graduated with a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center and has been employed with Methodist Healthcare Ministries in San Antonio for over twenty years. The Wesley Nurse program is focused on the least served, and this church offers a Free Clinic monthly with Texas A&M Residency Program. She is married to Dr. John Frels, and they have one daughter, Dr. Leslie Frels and husband Dr. Peter Kaldis.
Email: kfrels@mhm.org
Email: kfrels@mhm.org
ruben castro
Wesley Counselor
Ruben is a proud graduate of The University of Texas (Hook 'Em!) with a bachelor's in Social Work and holds a master's in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University. He brings a wealth of experience, having worked extensively with adolescents & teens in school settings and with adults in Outpatient Substance Use Counseling. Ruben and his wife, Bethany, have been happily married for 10 years and are the proud parents of: Audri, Alaska, and Canyon. Originally from San Antonio, Ruben has been a part of this community since 2019 and is excited to contribute to the work of MHM.
Email: rcastro@mhm.org
Email: rcastro@mhm.org