Worship Staff
Reverend Ron Philabaum
Reverend Ron Philabaum
Reverend Ron Philabaum
Pastor
Pastor Ron sensed the call to ministry back at the mission Church he grew up in Elyria Ohio but began a career in sales instead. When Ron met his wife Esther in 1982 she asked him what he did for a living "I'm a salesman" he said and she responded, "Oh thank goodness, you can be anything but a pastor!" That calling stayed with him
Pastor
Pastor Ron sensed the call to ministry back at the mission Church he grew up in Elyria Ohio but began a career in sales instead. When Ron met his wife Esther in 1982 she asked him what he did for a living "I'm a salesman" he said and she responded, "Oh thank goodness, you can be anything but a pastor!" That calling stayed with him and after 25 years in the financial services industry, he entered seminary. Five years later Ron was ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is called to serve a community of faith at Alamance Lutheran Church in Alamance, North Carolina. Ron and Esther have been married for 35 years and counting. They have 3 sons and 3 grandsons and another on the way!
Matt Swaim
Reverend Ron Philabaum
Reverend Ron Philabaum
Director of Contemporary Music & Pianist
Born and raised in Liberty, NC, Matt Swaim is a life-long Lutheran. After studying piano as early as the age of six under an inspirational, self-taught local organist and singing in the Junior and Senior choirs at Grace Lutheran Church for many years, Matt was hired to accompany the 8:30 worship ser
Director of Contemporary Music & Pianist
Born and raised in Liberty, NC, Matt Swaim is a life-long Lutheran. After studying piano as early as the age of six under an inspirational, self-taught local organist and singing in the Junior and Senior choirs at Grace Lutheran Church for many years, Matt was hired to accompany the 8:30 worship service in March of 2013. As Director of Contemporary Music, he seeks to integrate Contemporary Christian music and worship with the traditional favorites and liturgy that make the Lutheran church great. Matt holds two degrees in Plant Science from NC State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UNCG and currently works in purchasing. He makes his home with a dog and four cats (all of whom play the piano).
Xiuwei Yu
Reverend Ron Philabaum
Xiuwei Yu
Midday Service Accompanist and Choir Director
Xiuwei Yu is an accomplished pianist and organist from Beijing, China, who currently studies at the UNCG School of Music where she is working towards a Doctor of Music Arts Degree in piano performance. Xiuwei holds degrees in music from Bowling Green State University and the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in the Liaoning province of China.