Jenni is a native of our Annual Conference, born and raised in Dothan, AL. She holds a degree in Secondary Education from Troy University and got her MDiV from Candler School of Theology. She has served churches in the Pensacola, Dothan and Mobile areas over the past 10 years and is currently serving as the Director of Ministerial Services in the Conference Office. She is also working with United Methodists in the Troy area to start a new church. She has one daughter, Dottie, who is 4 and a half years old whose current interests include dinosaurs, rock collecting, soccer and all things Paw Patrol. Jenni enjoys getting to work with clergy as they move towards ordination and enter the process to serve as pastors in our conference. She is excited to return to the pulpit and looking forward to being in ministry to the local community with the people of Mary Esther UMC.
James Robbins II
Director of Music and Worship & Director of Congregational Care
It’s an honor and privilege to serve as the Director of the Music and Worship Ministries here at Mary Esther United Methodist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes.
I began my musical journey around 12 years of age. My humble beginnings started while spending summers in the country in front of a miniature fan on top of an old piano. It later continued at my family church playing hymns for Church School and soon thereafter substituting for the Sunday service musician when needed. My love for God and music began to meld once I began to feel the power and presence of God in private settings. It was then that God challenged me to invite others into what we shared and my full- time ministry was birthed. Twenty years of music ministry include serving as the state music director for a sister Methodist denomination which required that I be comfortable in all genres of church music whether hymns, anthems, spirituals, traditional or contemporary. I also led the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America for 5 years as music director and served on the executive board of the International Music and Christian Arts Ministry which produced the first live recording for a 100+-year-old denomination.
I have a B.S. in Theology from Truth Bible College and Seminary and extensive study in marketing and business organizational management from Edward Waters College. I enjoy collaborating with others to do more than we each can ever hope to do on our own. I've learned that where there is unity, there is strength! I invite you to join us as we fine-tune our gifts and talents and practice His presence in rehearsals. It’s not just music when you can find GOD in it! Come join us here at MEUMC where strong minds and passionate hearts connect and unite in worship!
My name is Mallory Barton and I am the Director of Children’s Ministry. I was born and raised here in Fort Walton Beach. I currently live in Shalimar with my husband Anthony and our two boys, Luka and Kylo. I was born “into” the church so I’ve spent my last 31 years attending Mary Esther United Methodist Church. I enjoy spending time with my family, crafts, and going on family vacations.
I graduated from Northwest Florida State College with my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. While I was attending college, I worked at Little Angels Preschool here at the church. I started teaching second grade at Eglin Elementary School in 2015 and taught for two years before going to Southside in Crestview to teach PreK-Disabilities. After making the commute to Crestview for two years I was able to get hired on at Mary Esther Elementary School teaching PreK-Disabilities. I have always had a love of working with children from a small age. I grew up babysitting, working in the nursery, nannying during the summer months, director assistant at Little Angels Preschool, tutoring, and now a full-time teacher.
I am so excited to take on the role as Children’s Minister here at the church. I know God gave me the patience, understanding, and love to care and teach children of all ages. I am looking forward to working with families to help shape and mold our children into followers of Christ.
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
My name is Sage Nikitin, and I am the Interim Director at Little Angels Preschool. My husband, A.J., and I have two young children, Parker and Riley. A.J. served 11 years in the Air Force as a Civil Engineer before medically retiring in 2021. We are both Ft. Walton Beach natives and graduated from Choctawhatchee High School together in 2010. We are very happy to be back home and closer to our families.
I graduated from Northwest Florida State College in 2014 with my A.S. in Early Childhood Education. A week later, we moved to Germany, and I started working in banking at a German-owned bank. I progressed to being a merchant teller and working with businesses on their financial needs while also dealing with foreign currency and exchange rates. In 2017, we said “Auf Wiedersehen” to Germany and “Aloha” to the beautiful state of Hawaii. This is where we grew our family, and our children were born.
I was a stay-at-home mom for 5 years until this year when I decided to get back into the workforce. I knew Little Angels Preschool was the perfect place to start, and I do not doubt that God led me here for a reason. I love working with children and having the opportunity to be a helping hand alongside their families in their growth and development. I’m thankful to be able to serve as the Interim Director and grateful for the trust MEUMC has in me to help maintain the success of their program in previous years and continue on the path of serving the young children and families in our community.
I attended Louisiana Tech University and continued at Valencia College in Orlando, where I met my husband. We married and moved to Texas to be near my family.
I’ve always had a drive to work and create. I’ve been the Southern Region Operations Manager for Mitchell’s Formal Wear in Winter Garden, Florida, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Preschool Teacher and a VP of Operations at Towers Elite Services, where I retired from in Beaumont. All of this while running a successful catering business and an artist. I’ve also served on the boards of Southeast Texas Symphony, Habitat for Humanity and the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of Beaumont Texas. I believe in giving back to the community through your faith!
I am so blessed to be a part of the MEUMC staff family and this community.