Sunny Limm, District Superintendent
Sunny Limm was born in California, grew up in South Korea, and now lives in North Carolina, serving the Lord wherever he is called. While pastoring local churches in the Sound District, he chaired the District Anti-Racism Team and served on the District Superintendency Committee and the Connectional Table.
Sunny appreciates all kinds of arts, especially music and paintings. He likes collecting theology books, hoping to engage in them more this year than in previous years. He cherishes spending time with his family – his wife, Jinhee, and their two children, Charis and Theo.
Above all else, Sunny loves getting to know Jesus Christ more deeply with all that he is and with all that he has. He is grateful for God’s beautiful and holy love manifested in Christ that has never stopped moving his heart and satisfying his soul. He is enthusiastic about sharing the gospel with others and witnessing how the Holy Spirit transforms lives in and through the church.
Prior to answering God’s call into ordained ministry, Sunny studied at MI College of Contemporary Music and worked in the music industry as a musician, teacher, and audio engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Theology from Methodist Theological University and a Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School.
Now Sunny is looking forward to serving the Lord together with the Fairway District family in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Nancy Martinez, Capital/Fairway Administrative Assistant to the DS
I am so blessed and excited about serving as the Administrative Assistant for the Capital District! I was born and raised in the Bronx. I have always enjoyed serving and helping others; therefore, I pursued a career in mental health.
After graduating I relocated to Miami, Florida, where I worked as a Social Worker for 17 years at the University of Miami Child Protection Team, where I conducted assessments of children and families due to allegations of child abuse and or neglect. In 2012 my husband, Rev. Rafael Martinez, a Methodist Ordained Elder, took a leap of faith and relocated to Clayton, North Carolina, where we both serve within the North Carolina Conference.
I gave my life to God when I was a teenager and I have served within the United Methodist Church for over 35 years in many capacities, such as SPRC chair, youth leader, children’s choir director, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School Director, Leader of the Women’s Ministry and as event planner for the church. I am a Consecrated Stephens Minister and a certified Coach with Passion in Partnership. I am currently offering coaching services to African American UMC Churches participating in the Renew and Connect Retreats and I will be serving as a delegate in this year’s Annual Conference. I sincerely consider it a blessing and privilege to serve in these positions and to share God’s unconditional love with others.
I have been married to Rafael for 10 years and have been blessed with two biological children, Valerie Irene and Leuvis Daniel, who also live in Clayton and two additional children, Liliam and Marcos, by marriage. I am the proud grandmother of four precious grandchildren, who bring the most joy to my life. I greatly enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, reading and traveling.
Debora Murphy, District Lay Leader
My husband Ray and I live in Apex, serving and worshipping at Fuquay Varina UMC. Ray is a retired Army Captain and I recently retired (early) after 25 years with the same company. During that time, I also completed an MBA in Supply Chain/Logistics and traveled outside the USA 80% of the time.
In addition to managing several teams within Supply Management at the factory and division level, I was an executive coach with a certification from the Neuroleadership Institute
Growing up in a small town in the Piedmont area of NC I was fortunate enough to have a great support system. My early church membership and participation consisted of summer music camps, youth choir and Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Graham. Church was not a priority during my university years at UNC-Greensboro. When Ray and I married we attended Mass at Most Holy Trinity and First Baptist Church worship services each Sunday for eight years while we lived in Augusta, Georgia. With my job, we were transferred to North Carolina, specifically Fuquay Varina, where those two choices were no where near each other. We saw a Methodist Church (with pumpkins covering the front lawn) and decided to visit. We had found a home; the liturgy and the ‘methods’ worked for us.
We attended the Walk to Emmaus in 2000 and continued to grow in our understanding of Wesleyan theology. We are still involved in the Heart of Carolina Emmaus community and in The Upper Room Emmaus Ministries as communicators on behalf of Emmaus Ministries.
In addition to serving at Fuquay Varina UMC as part of the music ministry, I am part of the Strategic Steering Committee and have served on Nominations and Leadership Development Committee. As part of the NC Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, I serve as the Worship Director. I recently completed a Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation and am an Ambassador for the NC Institute of Spiritual Directors.
I collect hymnals and usually find them at thrift stores. I love a good lettuce wedge salad, fish & chips, bold coffee, and half/half iced tea. I enjoy making connections to and for people, so don’t be surprised when I say, ‘you need to meet…”
I am so excited to be serving the Fairway District together with you as part of God’s good plan.