Pastor Biographies

 

Rev. Erica (Milone) Munoz, Lead Pastor

Rev. Erica (Milone) Munoz has been ordained an Elder in Full Connection in 2012. She grew up in the Newton UMC and went on to receive a Bachelors of Music Education from WV Wesleyan College and a Masters of Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology. She also obtained a Certificate in Youth and Young Adult Ministry from the Boston Theological Institute.

Upon graduation, she was appointed as the GNJ Coordinator of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries and Safe Sanctuaries. In 2014 she was appointed to Aldersgate UMC in East Brunswick and has served as the Chair of the Raritan Valley District Committee on Ministry, Secretary of the GNJ Board of Pensions and Health Benefits and is currently a Circuit Elder in the Metro Highlands region.

She and her husband, Matt, have two children, Madelyn 9 and Braelon 6, and a Goldendoodle named Hazel.

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Rev. Dr. Debra A. De Vos (Deb)

Rev. Dr. Debra A. De Vos (Deb) was ordained a Deacon in Full Connection in 2017. She currently serves as an Associate Pastor here at Trinity.  She earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from Jersey City State College and a Master of Arts in Ministry with a concentration in Biblical Studies from Drew University in 2014.  She earned a Doctorate in Ministry in Prophetic Witness and Service at St. Paul’s School of Theology in 2020. 

She loves facilitating Bible studies and small groups. She enjoys working in small group ministry and helping people grow in their discipleship while building deeper relationships with God and others. Deb has a passion for spiritual formation, working with people to develop the practices that will help them grow in their faith journeys, falling deeper in love with God. She is a member of the Greater NJ Annual Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry. Deb is the Chair of the Skylands District Committee of Ordained Ministry.   

In addition to helping disciples grow deeper, as a deacon, Deb has a passion for social justice especially for working towards dismantling racism. 

She has one adult child, Rachael and a son-in-law, Andrew. She lives with her two black cats, Elvis and Dusty. In her free time, Deb enjoys reading, music, counted cross stitch, crocheting, watching movies and spending time with her family and friends.
Rev. Dr. De Vos can be reached at 908-852-3020 or ddevos@catchthespirit.org

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Ginny Thorp, Congregational Care Lay Minister

Ginny Thorp grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where she attended the Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church throughout her childhood and teen years. She earned her B.A. degree from The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio in 1982. At Wooster, Ginny was a Communications Major.

While at Wooster, Ginny met her husband, Tom and they were married in November 1982. After Tom completed his law degree in 1982, they moved to Hackettstown, Tom’s hometown. The Thorps have been residents of Hackettstown ever since and have raised their two daughters, Katie and Taylor, in Hackettstown.

In 1992, the Thorps became members of Trinity. Ginny became involved with the Brick Church Ringers, VBS, and small group ministry. In 2002, Ginny was hired by Trinity as its first Director of Children’s Ministry, a position she held for 14 years. God’s nudging in 2016 led her to her current position as Trinity’s Congregational Care Lay Minister.  In 2019, Ginny took GNJ’s Licenses Local Pastor/Certified Lay Minister Course and in September 2020 became a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) after completing all of the CLM requirements.

As empty nesters, Ginny and Tom enjoy taking walks with their dog, Kona, traveling to visit their daughters, watching movies and following the Yankees. In addition, Ginny likes to knit/crochet, read, and garden.

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