First United Methodist Church Barksdale

Times
Sunday Morning Church        9:00 AM
Adult Sunday School            10:00 AM
Children's Sunday School        10:00 AM

Rev. Linda O'Neal

As a resident of Montell, I feel blessed to be the pastor of Barksdale and Rocksprings First United Methodist Churches. I took early retirement to care for my mother, Margaret Nelson, who has since gone home to Jesus. I inherited her home on the Nueces River. After living in parsonages for 19 years, I now can both serve churches and live in my own home at the same time! This appointment is the closest part time appointment to my inherited home in the United Methodist Church.

I am an elder in the Texas Annual Conference which has its headquarters in Houston. I am on loan to the Rio Texas Conference.   I attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, graduating in 1994 with honors. I studied biblical Koine Greek for two and half years.   I was ordained an elder in 1996.

I moved to Montell in March of 2012 to care for my mother, taking family leave from the church.   I feel at home here because my mother's family is fifth generation Texan from La Pryor. Many of my relatives have lived along the Nueces River in retirement. My aunt held family reunions beginning when I was a teenager at her camp on the River, just a few lots down from where I live, so this area feels like home.

I grew up as an Army brat, moving 14 times before I was 12 years old. I went to High School and College in Lake Charles, Lousiana, and was science teacher in Houston as my first career.

I have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.

I feel God's blessings upon these churches and am so enthused to see the energy and heart for service that they both have! God is doing great things in Edwards County through the Methodists!