Meet Our Pastor
Marty Martin has been our pastor since July 2000. Marty began his time with us as a part-time licensed local pastor while he has attended seminary. He completed his seminary studies in December of 2002 and in January of 2003, became our full-time pastor.
Julian H. (Marty) Martin, Jr. was born in Washington DC and lived in Arlington, Virginia off and on throughout his life. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1972 and has earned three masters degrees. The last of the degrees was conferred in May of 2003 when he graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary and received his Masters of Divinity degree.
Marty was raised as the son of a military man and a Methodist preacher's daughter. He followed in his father's footsteps and had a 26-year career in the US Army, retiring as a Colonel in July 1998. During his time in the Army, Marty lived in Virginia, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Japan, and Korea. During his military career, he and his family moved over 20 times.
Marty was a long time member of Arlington United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia and was very active in AUMC for seven years before he was appointed as our pastor. He served as chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, assistant lay leader, youth Sunday school teacher, and youth mission trip leader. He took Disciple Bible Study I and II and taught Disciple I. He also served as a local lay speaker and was active in the National Capital Area Emmaus Community.
On June 25, 2000, Marty and Pat were married. Marty's daughters graduated from college in 2008.
Pat was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to Northern Virginia in the early 1970s. She has three grown children who all live in the DC area. They are Paul (married to Judy; has a daughter named Erica); Wendy (married to Justin; has a son Jay and a daughter Libby); and David (married to Jessica, has two sons Orion and Griffin). Pat worked with homeowners' associations in developing communities in Northern Virginia for over 20 years before she married Marty and moved to Warrenton. She enjoys traveling and playing the piano, but her favorite thing is spending time with her five grandchildren. Pat is the accompanist for both of the county high school choirs. She is active in our congregation as a member of our choir, substitute organist, Bible study teacher, and maker of some mighty good chicken noodle soup.
Marty and Pat facilitate and teach Bible studies, are active in the Emmaus communities in both Loudoun Valley and the National Capital Area. They also engage in clown ministry and have had their friends Stretch and Gracie come to visit on a number of occasions.
Marty says that he has never felt more in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing than he does as Pastor of Bethel UMC.