Meet the Team

Rev. J. Matthew Barnes, PhD — Vice President of Student Life and Formation

Matt Barnes is honored and privileged to serve as the Vice President of Student Life and Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary, beginning in January of 2022. Matt grew up in West Texas among the oil and football fields. He earned a BA in Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University and an MDiv from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. Moving to Southern California, Matt completed his PhD in New Testament at Fuller Seminary and served the church in very diverse settings as a lay leader, church staff member, academic, commissioned missionary, interim pastor, and senior pastor. He was ordained in a Texas Baptist church in 2004, which was subsequently recognized by Transformation Ministries in Southern California in 2018.

Matt loves Jesus, his wife (Alida), his three boys (Myron, Smith, and Toby), prayer, calling people to the grand adventure of following Jesus, community development, the academic study of the Bible, theology, pastoral counseling, writing, preaching, playing guitar, hiking, camping, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Chicago Cubs. Seeing the church change the world by making disciples and not merely converts is Matt’s deepest desire, and fulfilling Jesus’ prayer in John 17 for unity among those who believe in the Apostles’ message is a close second.

Mrs. Abigail Sipe — Executive Assistant to the VP of Student Life and Formation

Abi grew up in Central Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed working on the family horse farm. She received her MA in Mental Health Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary. Abi is married to Lydon, and they have three children, Tobi, William, and Zara. Abi is passionate about seeing people transformed into who God has created them to be.

Rev. Dr. Tesia Mallory — Dean of Chapel - Kentucky

Rev. Dr. Tesia Mallory is a lover of all things worship and liturgy. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Music with an emphasis in Ministry (voice) from Taylor University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN, in 2009, Tesia earned a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in 2012. In 2021, she earned a Doctor of Ministry from United in the Living the Historic Faith: Christian Wisdom for Today’s Church cohort, mentored by Drs. Justus Hunter and David Watson. Her research interests include Wesleyan eucharistic theology, eucharistic liturgies, sacramental theology, ritual theory, and the liturgical year. She was received as an elder in the Allegheny West Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in 2022.

For 17 years, Tesia served in various roles in the Office of Spiritual Life at United. Most recently, she served as Dean of the Chapel and on faculty as Lecturer in Worship. Additionally, she has played a significant role in shaping the liturgical life of the GMC through helping to draft the denomination’s Ordination Liturgy and the Communion and Bishop’s Commissioning Liturgies used at the 2024 Convening General Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica. Tesia is currently chair of the Book of Worship task force of the GMC Connectional Council and a leader on the worship planning team for the 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tesia’s work is published in O For a Heart to Praise My God (Seedbed, 2024), The Faith Once Delivered (Seedbed, 2024), The Next Methodism: Theological, Social, and Missional Foundations for Global Methodism (Seedbed, 2022), and she was a consultant for Our Great Redeemer’s Praise: A Hymnal for All God’s People (Seedbed, 2022).

Tesia and her husband Jimmy have two children, Julian and Leland.

Tracey Farrell — Director of Asbury Global Student Life and Formation

Tracey Farrell graduated with her M.Div. from Asbury Seminary in 1997 and with her Masters in Counseling in 1998. Tracey has served alongside her husband in the local church for twenty five years. Together they have served four churches. Over the years, Tracey has served as minister to adults, small group coordinator, hospitality coordinator, co-planter of a young family worshiping community, founder of Hillside Counseling Center in Woodstock, Ga., designer and manager of The Table outreach venue (a ministry of LifeSong Church in Orlando, FL). Tracey has also spent many years working in the field of counseling and currently works with HeartPeace Counseling Center with her husband Tim as they minister to married couples.

Tracey and Tim have two children. Their son will be attending Asbury Seminary on the Kentucky campus in the Fall. Their daughter will begin college this Fall in Florida. Their family adventures through ministry will serve as meaningful experiences Tracey will draw on as she walks with the global Asbury Seminary students as the Director of Asbury Global Student Life and Formation.

Rev. Kylie McCormick, PhD — Director of Student Life and Community Formation

Kylie McCormick joined the Asbury team in summer 2023, serving as the Director of Student Life and Community Formation. Growing up in South Florida, her life revolved around water polo and church activities. Water polo brought her to Erie, PA, where she attended Mercyhurst University and earned a BA in History. Following in her father’s footsteps, she went on to earn an MDiv at Fuller Seminary and completed her studies after completing her PhD in Theology at the University of Birmingham in England.

Kylie has served in numerous pastoral roles in church and university communities. She is passionate about helping others find healing and wholeness as they journey with God and as they engage with their community life.

Away from Asbury, Kylie enjoys anything related to art and music, outdoor adventures, pottery, and traveling to see friends and family.

Rev. Jeremy Fulda — Director of Career and Calling

Jeremy Fulda serves as the Director of Career and Calling at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. A pastor, planner, and mentor, Jeremy is passionate about helping students and alumni discern their calling and flourish in their vocation. Jeremy is a certified career coach, a licensed Birkman Method® facilitator, and an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church.

Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after graduating from Asbury Seminary, Jeremy served with One Mission Society in Taiwan, leading sports outreach initiatives in aboriginal villages and connecting high school and college students with local churches and Christian non-profits. He later returned to his hometown to serve as Global Outreach Director and then Executive Pastor of a downtown Methodist church in Tulsa.

Jeremy and his wife, Meredith, have four children—Maddox, Emery, Jovie, and Hayes. Together, they enjoy running, swimming, and going to amusement parks as a family.