Speaker – Rev. John Sterling Poole

Rev. John Sterling Poole was born and raised in Spartanburg, graduated from the College of Charleston in 2020 and taught high school English for two years before coming to Charleston Wesley Foundation (CWF) in 2022. John spent three years as the Youth Leader at a Charleston UMC before going into campus ministry. He has a deep passion for working with young people, and he really enjoys taking faith seriously and having a lot of fun. John is a student at Duke Divinity School in order to become an Ordained Deacon in the UMC. He lives in North Charleston with his wife, Hannah, their three cats: Huckleberry, Gulliver, and Bilbo, and their dogs, Zebedee and Mordecai. John and Hannah welcomed their son, James Dempsey, in December of 2024. John feels a deep call to ministering to college students and specifically to leading students into church leadership.”

 

Worship Leader – Kenneth Coles

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Kenneth Coles serves as Music Director at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, where he brings a powerful blend of musical passion, leadership, and life experience to the role since 2019.

Before stepping into education and ministry, Kenneth served in the United States Navy for eight years, a foundation that continues to shape his commitment to service and discipline.

Currently the Principal at Mevers School of Excellence, Kenneth leads with vision and heart. He holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Communication at Seton Hall University.

Whether conducting music or guiding students, Kenneth inspires excellence through every note and every conversation.