Rev. Dr. Larry Buxton, Senior Pastor

Reverend Dr. Larry Buxton became Senior Pastor of Burke UMC in July 2007. A native of Portsmouth VA, Larry has been a member of the Virginia Conference since 1975 and has served congregations full-time since 1978.  He is a graduate of The University of Virginia, Yale Divinity School, and Wesley Theological Seminary.  His background includes campus ministry, pastoral counseling, and seminary teaching. Larry is a member of the Virginia Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the Alexandria District Committee on Ordained Ministry.  He also teaches Preaching at the summer Course of Study at Wesley Theological Seminary.  Larry and his wife Beverly, a Leadership Development consultant and trainer, have lived most of their adult lives in Northern Virginia.  Their family includes Garrett (married to Carly, both graduate students at the University of Chicago) and Tyler (completing his BA at Virginia Tech).

Janet Salbert, Associate Pastor

Rev. Janet P. Salbert joined the ministerial staff at Burke UMC in 2006. Janet loves to lead worship and hopes to encourage you further in the life of prayer. Her  commitment to serving in healing ministries in the church invites others to access God’s divine healing.  Janet is interested in finding ways to build partnerships in the community to increase dialogue about matters of faith. Janet received a Masters of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, and recently graduated from the Shalem Institute Clergy Leadership Program. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. Janet and her husband, Paul, are blessed with a family life that reaches from the Atlantic  to the Pacific Coast. Their sons Eric, Ives, and Jay are active young adults in various stages of student and internship programs. Their youngest son, Daniel, is completing his high school years at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax.

Carl Perez , Associate Pastor

Rev. Carl Perez joined Burke United Methodist in 2008.  Carl has a BA degree from Ferrum College and a Masters in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary.  Carl served two previous appointments at Epworth in the Danville District, and most recently at Fairview in the Lynchburg District.  He believes and practices that the ministry of the Clergy is to enable and support the Laity in making disciples of Jesus Christ while transforming the world.  Carl's gifts are in preaching the Word, teaching, "outside the box" evangelism, contemporary worship and mission trips.  Carl and Katrina have five children: Hannah, Abba'gale, Dustin, Rachel, and Judah.

 Judy Fender, Minister of Discipleship

Rev. Judy Fender is an ordained deacon in full connection. Judy joined the staff of BUMC in October of 2000 and has primary responsibility for Christian Education, Children’s Ministry, and Missions. Judy directs the Altar Guild and Acolyte ministry. A graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary she is passionate about theological education and missions. Judy has served at St. Matthew’s UMC and St. Stephen’s UMC in the areas of Evangelism, Youth Ministry; and Program Director. She is certified by The UMC in the ministry of Evangelism and Christian Education. Her husband Frank is retired from the United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service. Their son and daughter are both married and they are blessed with 3 grandchildren.

Burke United Methodist Staff