David Joyner, District Superintendent
David is a native of Eastern North Carolina, having served churches in the Heritage District since beginning his ministry in 2013. David graduated from both North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before completing his Master in Divinity (2017) and Doctorate in Ministry (2023) degrees from Duke University.
While at Duke University, David was a Duke Endowment “Thriving Rural Fellow” and completed an internship at Duke University Hospital, earning a unit in Clinical Pastoral Education. David’s passion for the rural church runs deep as it is in the rural church where David first heard his calling into ministry.
David and his wife, Anna, have two girls, Mary Alice and Elizabeth Mae. David continues to serve as the Sr. Pastor at First UMC-Rocky Mount.
Heidi Seifert, Corridor/ Heritage Administrative Assistant to the DS
My name is Heidi Seifert, and I am excited to be working with the Corridor and Heritage Districts as the AADS. I have been working for the Conference for a little over eight years. I am also currently a part-time local pastor at Christ the King Church in Clayton. I am married to Paul. He is a CPA. We have two children, Kayley and Eliza. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and anything outdoors and adventurous.
David Johnson, Heritage District Lay Leader
David was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He was a member of a non-denominational Christ-centered church along with his parents, brother, and sister.
After graduating from high school, he entered the business world as a paint specialist and credit manager of a Sherman Williams Paint retail paint store. His exposure to accounting/finance and sales led him into the automotive supplier industry where he held various positions in manufacturing and corporate-level management. His passion was to be in production environments where he could see the product being manufactured. His focus in manufacturing was helping to identify and reduce excess costs out of automotive products being produced. At a corporate level, David was focused on improving the liquidity of the corporation. Before retiring, he had the opportunity to travel around the world helping to make financial improvements at company manufacturing facilities.
After his retirement in 2009, David and his wife, Susan, moved back to Rocky Mount and joined First UMC – Rocky Mount, which led to becoming very active in outreach ministries. David is involved in volunteer efforts within the community, one being Jobs for Life which teaches job readiness skills. He is a board member of a non-profit organization that provides shelter and food for the homeless community. He attends the Bible Study Fellowship program on Monday nights. He and his wife travel to Costa Rica on church mission trips most every year.
David and Susan have been married for 20+ years, have 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. He enjoys traveling, music and visiting with family and friends while staying busy around his home.