Dr. Dwight S. Kilbourne
Dwight was raised in a rural area just outside of Kingsport, TN. His father Charles was a bi-vocational pastor and his mother was a secretary. He was blessed to be raised in a healthy and stable home with his sister, Debbie and brother, Mark. During his high school years, Dwight sensed a calling into ordained ministry.
While attending Emory and Henry College, Dwight served as the student pastor of Chatham Hill Circuit. It was there he met and married his wife, Patricia (Patty) Russell. After graduation, he enrolled in seminary at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. In 1982 he graduated with a master of divinity degree. Nearly a decade later, he began work on a doctoral degree from Asbury Theological Seminary which he completed in 1994.
Dwight has served churches in the Chattanooga area (Apison, 1980-1986; Burks, 2002-2007), Knoxville (Bookwalter, 1986-1993), and Johnson City (Wesley Memorial, 1993-2002). In June, 2007, Dwight was appointed to serve First-Centenary.
Dwight and Patty are the parents of three grown sons: Josh, a pastor, with wife Callie are the parents of granddaughter, Anna Grace and grandson, Isaiah Joseph; Nathan and his wife serve as pastors in the Arkansas Conference; and Tim, who teaches kindergarten. Patty teaches second grade at Allen Elementary.
Dwight has a passion for leadership and guiding the local church to become a healthy, vibrant and growing community. His primary hobby is woodworking. He enjoys walking, fishing and the outdoors.