Reverend Dr. Samuel David Zumwalt
Senior Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Zumwalt has worked in churches for 50 years and in May 2026 celebrated the 45th anniversary of his ordination to the holy ministry. In March 2025, he was received by colloquy into the ministerium of the American Association of Lutheran Churches (taalc.org). Pastor Zumwalt also serves as a part-time adjunct faculty member for American Lutheran Theological Seminary (alts.edu) teaching both doctoral students and those preparing for the holy ministry..
In 2004, Pr. Zumwalt moved with his family to Wilmington from Texas, where he served for 23 years as pastor of small, midsize, and large congregations.
Having served an advanced clinical chaplain residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital, a major trauma hospital in Dallas TX, Pr. Sam is a skilled pastoral caregiver and is also a trained Stephen Ministry Leader. He devotes significant time to sermon preparation and Bible study. Pastor Sam teaches the Crossways Bible study on Wednesdays and Thursdays, leads a noonday Monday sermon study group known as Conversations, teaches Adult Confirmation in Sunday school, and midweek Confirmation instruction for sixth through eighth graders.
He remains a Lutheran Christian, because we are self-consciously faithful to the Bible in teaching and practice. We embody what St. Luke writes in Acts 2:42, “And they continued in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers.”
Pastor Michael Bergbower
Visitation Pastor
Rev. Michael Bergbower. Visitation Pastor. Graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Pastored churches in Mississippi, New Jersy and New York. Retired to North Carolina in 2010. Serving as Visitation Pastor at St. Matthews since 2018. Lives in Holly Ridge with wife, Leslie.
Pastor Robert Alan Shivers
Associate Pastor
The Rev’d. Robert Alan Shivers began serving Christ’s Church at the age of eleven, first, as an acolyte and then, through various roles throughout the years. Pastor Robert achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in June 2013 after completing his Eagle Project, which beautified the entrance and installed a brick walkway in the St. Matthew’s Memorial Garden.
He earned the Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington and enrolled in seminary in the fall of 2020 at the Institute of Lutheran Theology. Pastor Robert received the Master of Divinity degree on May 15, 2026. After completing the colloquy process in June 2026, Pastor Robert was admitted to the clergy roster of the American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC). The Rev’d. Dr. Cary Glenn Larson, Presiding Pastor of the AALC, ordained and installed Pastor Shivers as Associate Pastor at St. Matthew’s on July 11, 2026.
Pastor Shivers joyfully serves the congregation by preaching, administering the sacraments, teaching, leading the Young Adults Group, providing pastoral care, and is charged with the particular responsibility to increase the congregation’s involvement in parish life and its outreach to the greater Wilmington area. As Associate Pastor, he welcomes you to St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Kristine Bartholomew
Director of Youth & Family Ministries
Hello everyone, my name is Kristine Regalado. I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX. I spent all of my childhood there and attended Concordia University Texas in Austin for college where I studied Religious Education. During my summers in college, I worked at 3 different Lutheran summer camps across the US and have done 2 internships at both a Lutheran Camp and large Lutheran Church.
I am excited to begin my ministry career here at St Matthews at the Director of Youth and Family Ministry where I can use the skills I learned throughout my time at camps and in a church.
Bill Glisson
Music Director and Organist
Bill Glisson joined us in March 2004 and is a native of Wilmington. Bill graduated from New Hanover High School and from Southeastern Community College where he earned degrees in electronics and in music. His first experience as a church organist came when he was 11 years of age. He served as organist at Whiteville First Presbyterian Church and then for many years at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. He was formerly the regional manager of R.A. Daffer Church Organs. He is a former member of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society.
Bill is the unofficial historian of Wilmington for all newcomers to St. Matthews, and we hope he will one day publish “Back in the Day: Everything You Need to Know about Wilmington.” The only native Wilmingtonian on St. Matthew’s staff, Bill is a descendent of both early Dutch and Scottish immigrants to North Carolina.
Donna Capozio
Administrative Assistant
Donna joined the staff of St. Matthew’s in 2009. She oversees the duties and responsibilities of the church office and provides essential support to the church staff and ministries of St. Matthew’s. She prepares bulletins and newsletters, processes new members, records congregational activity, coordinates building use and the church calendar, and numerous other necessary tasks as needed.
Dr. Bettsy Curtis
Adult Choir Director
Dr. Bettsy Curtis holds three degrees in piano performance, a Bachelor of Music from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Music from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She has held faculty positions at Baylor University, Howard Payne University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. College teaching positions shifted to public-school music teaching while her children were young. From 2010-2022 Dr. Curtis held both a full-time position directing music at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and a part-time position at UNCW as a collaborative pianist. Since the Fall of 2022 her duties have included teaching a music fundamentals class for musical theatre students and directing musical theatre productions at UNCW. She is currently being commissioned by Opera Wilmington to write an opera scheduled to be performed in January of 2027. She is looking forward to serving St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran church as choir director & pianist.
Teresa Hall
Children’s and Handbell Choir Director
Teresa Hall moved to Wilmington from upstate NY in the summer of 1988. She and her family joined St. Matthew’s in the fall of 1988. Teresa started directing the Little Luther Choir in 1990 and she now directs the Luther Choir, which is now merging of the Little Luther and Luther choirs. She also serves in the Adult Choir and the Handbell Choir. She is a retired licensed Veterinary Technician.
Joan Wazybok
Bookkeeper
Joan Wazybok was hired as the bookkeeper at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in July 2017. She was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Narberth, PA, but has called Castle Hayne home since 1985. She attended Penn State University and completed her studies at Miller-Motte here in Wilmington. Joan and her husband Dave are the proud parents of daughters Melanie and Sarah, and son Christopher. Their family has expanded to include son-in-law Thomas and cherished grandson Ben. Outside of work and family, Joan has devoted her free time to volunteer activities at the Northchase Nursing & Rehabilitation Center since 2004, and The Children’s Schoolhouse Montessori for many years. Joan’s interests include searching for unique art, gathering birthdates, letter writing, and pet sitting. She’s always up for a good tuna sandwich.
Sheila Whitmeyer
Nursery Director
Sheila Whitmeyer oversees the nursery for young children up to 5 years old. She has many years experience as a teaching assistant, teacher, nanny, and nursery supervisor. Sheila sings both professionally and in the Joyful Noise Contemporary Choir. She is always in need of volunteers.
Casey Bartholomew
Parish Involvement Intern