Kenneth Locklear, District Superintendent 
Ken has served in pastoral ministry for 34 years, serving as an Elder since 1991. Before going into ministry, he worked in construction. During this time he became very active in the life and ministry of the church, teaching Sunday school, working in outreach and evangelism. Out of these ministries, he heard the compelling call of God in 1980, and took his 1st appointment in 1981.
He has served 7 churches (2-2 point charges). He started a new church in Greensboro, NC and served there for 6 years and then went to Southeastern Jurisdiction at Lake Junaluska and served as Executive Director of Native American Ministries for 5 years before being appointed to Prospect UMC in 2004.
Ken feels honored to be among the called out and privileged to work for the Kingdoms sake. He is married to Janet C. Locklear who works as a Speech/Language Pathologist in the local school system. They have one son, Philip Locklear, who is a police officer at UNC Pembroke.
Pembroke State University 1987 BA
Duke Divinity 1991 M.Div
Wesley Theological Seminary 2004 D.Min
Kelly Barr, Assistant to the DS
After many years working in the health care industry, Kelly decided to leave the private sector and work full time to assist the mission of the United Methodist Church. Originally a native of Texas, he moved to North Carolina when he was stationed at Ft. Bragg as a member of the United States Army. It was in Fayetteville where Kelly met the love of his life, Julie. They have been married for 26+ years and have three children; Chrissy, James, and Robbie.
After 9 years as an Army Medic assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Kelly worked as a Registered Nurse serving in a variety of roles such as Emergency Medicine, Neonatology, Nursing Education, and Information Technology. Kelly has served as a Licensed Local Pastor serving Caledonia United Methodist Church in Laurinburg, NC and is currently serving Rowland United Methodist Church in Rowland, NC.
Kelly, Julie and their youngest son Robbie currently reside in Fairmont NC.
Mary Hartsell, Lay Leader
Mary Hartsell is a life-long Methodist where she has been Worship Leader, Youth Coordinator, Children Coordinator, Bible Study Instructor, and just recently served as Intern Supply Pastor at Sneads Grove UMC from 2014-2015. She graduated from Sandhills Community College with an Associate Degree in Computer Engineer. Her and husband Lloyd have been married 36 years and have twin girls Jessica Hartsell and Samantha Mack (Husband Justin) and a granddaughter Madelyn.
Mary has worked in her family business of Heating & Air for over 30 years where she was the Administrative Financial Manager until the business closed in 2014. She is now retired and continuing her education in Christian Adult Education and Spiritual Formation.
Mary and her husband are members of Prospect UMC, Maxton, NC. Mary is the previous Gateway District Lay Servant Ministries Co-Chair, and continues to serve on the NC Conference Board of Lay Servant Ministries. She also serves on the committee of Certified Lay Ministers. She loves spending time with laity and clergy and feels she is blessed to have the opportunity to do what she can to reach out to each of the churches in the Gateway District.