HI, I am Liz Hounshell, and I am excited to be your pastor! Camp Ground United

Methodist Church has a long history of being a faith-filled and mission-oriented

church in Fayetteville and beyond, and I am very honored to serve this church

and community. I enjoy seeing where God is at work and being a part of that

work to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I look forward to what God is calling us

to do together.

I have served other United Methodist churches in the North Carolina Conference

for the past 14 years—initially as a pastoral intern at churches in Wendell and

Bailey, then as an associate pastor in Greenville, and later as a pastor of two

churches in Goldsboro and Pikeville. My most recent appointment has been at

Zebulon United Methodist Church in Zebulon where I served for six years.

Before receiving my Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in 2014,

I worked as a public health nurse and as a project coordinator for a small building

business. I also served as Minister of Christian Education at North Raleigh

United Methodist Church, where my husband and I were members for 25 years.

In May 2025, I received my Doctor of Ministry degree from Duke. My thesis was

entitled Signs of Hope: How Declining Rural United Methodist Churches Can Be

Revived.

Here’s a little more about me: I am originally from Hillsborough, NC. I enjoy

traveling, hiking, reading, writing and going out to eat. I also like to watch sports

events and cheer for the Tar Heels (I am a UNC-Chapel Hill alum). I have

traveled to the Holy Land three times and was fascinated by all the biblical sites I

got to see. I especially love spending time with my family including my two

granddaughters, Heidi and Ellie, with a third granddaughter arriving soon.

I am so grateful for this incredible opportunity to serve at Camp Ground UMC.

Thanks be to God!

 Welcome!

As we step into a new year together, we do so with grateful hearts and great hope for what God has in store. We give thanks for each of you and for the ways God has been faithful to our church in seasons of joy, challenge, and growth.

Our theme for 2026 is “Faith That Sticks in 26,” rooted in the words of Hebrews 10:23:
“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”



In the year ahead, our prayer is that your faith will take deeper root—that it will stick when life is joyful, when it is uncertain, and when perseverance is required. As a small but growing church, we believe God is calling us to hold fast together, encouraging one another, trusting His promises, and remaining faithful in love and service.

May 2026 be a year filled with God’s blessings for you and your family. We pray for good health, renewed strength, and a spirit of peace. May you find fulfillment in your walk with Christ, joy in community, and purpose in the ways God uses you to share His love.

Thank you for being part of this church family. We look forward to growing in faith together in the year ahead—faith that sticks, faith that endures, and faith grounded in the faithfulness of God.

Grace and peace to you in the New Year,

Camp Ground United Methodist Church
Fayetteville, North Carolina
“Faith That Sticks in 26”

Camp Ground UMC wishes Rev. Bobby Tyson and Rev. Sarah Smith Pitts all the best as they continue their ministerial journey in the coming years. While we will miss them greatly, we are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hounshell to our church.  We look forward to her leadership, fellowship and support as Camp Ground continues its long history as a cornerstone of the Christian community in Fayetteville NC.