Rev. Chase Burns (Elder in Full Connection) received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Central Arkansas; his certification in youth ministry from Perkins School of Youth Ministry at Southern Methodist University; his Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University; and will be graduating with his Doctorate in Ministry from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University on May 13, 2023. He is currently serving as the associate pastor at Paragould First United Methodist Church.

While serving at Paragould First United Methodist Church, Rev. Chase worked directly with missions, hospitality, and laity care persons in developing committees to organize, dream, engage, disciple, and grow missional, hospitality, and laity care engagements.  Rev. Chase also served as the interim youth coordinator for 18 months, leading confirmations, relaunching in-person youth expressions, and promoting opportunities for youth to experience our unique UMC connection through attending NEDCYM (Northeast District Committee on Youth Ministries) and ACCYM (Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministries) events and participation in leadership. Along with overseeing these specific areas of ministry, Rev. Chase assisted in all three worship services (traditional and contemporary) in planning worship, preaching, and administering the sacraments.

In conference-related ministries, Rev. Chase served as the Northeast District’s coordinator for 2021, 2022, and 2023 Ingathering Initiatives. He also served on The Wesley Board (Wesley Foundation) at ASU for the past two school years.

Fun Facts: Chase’s hobbies include singing, attending live performances, cooking, traveling, missions, hiking, motorcycles, camping, hunting, fishing and floating. Chase’s immediate family includes Gauge (his 100lb boxer-mix), his parents (Sherwood, Arkansas), brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece (Cabot, Arkansas), many, many, many cousins, aunts, and uncles spread out across the state (including NWA)!

 Ephesians 1:15-18 “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason, I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called….” Paul’s prayer over the believers at Ephesus has run through my heart over and over as I have heard from others of your love for people, enlightened hearts, and vision of hope for the ministry of The United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas! I continue to offer this prayer as my own for you, your community, Rev. Jennie, and our future in ministry together. I look forward to joining Rev. Jennie Williams in serving the church as one of your pastors. May God continue to draw us closer in our walk with God, each other, and the surrounding community.