As a retired social studies teacher (Newfane NY, Beaver Falls NY, and Clymer NY school districts) and former youth Sunday school teacher, Troy brings vast experience in educating children and youth.  He has strong Christian values and deep roots in the United Methodist faith growing up as a Methodist minister's son at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Lockport, NY.  He has actively served the Lord by working to bring people to Christ throughout his adult life.  He served as part time local pastor for two United Methodist Churches in the Western NY area between 2000 and 2009 (Royalton UMC in Middleport NY and North Ridge UMC in Cambria NY).  He has also served in a myriad of UMC lay leader positions including Adult Bible Study Leader, Youth Sunday School Teacher, Lay Speaker, Worship Leader, Outreach Missions Leader, and AD Council Chairperson.  He holds both BA in Anthropology from SUNY at Buffalo and an MS in Education from SUNY at Potsdam and has completed years 1 and 2 from the four year United Methodist Course of Study.  Most recently, Troy has been working part-time as a TSA gate security agent at the Erie, PA airport to stay active and bolster retirement funding.

Troy and his wife, Kim first met 34 years ago at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Lockport, NY and they have been married for 32 years.   A nice conversation between Troy and Kim’s Dad (an avid Washington football team fan) on Super Bowl Sunday in 1988 helped things along (Washington won that game by the way).  A mutual love for, and understanding of, the game of football eventually convinced Kim’s Dad that Troy was a good catch for his daughter.  Troy and Kim’s Dads began joking about and scheming for an “arranged marriage” the following Sunday.  The rest was in God’s hands and led to a joyous holy matrimony.  Troy and Kim have been blessed with three adult, married children and four grandchildren:

• Nathan, wife Vanessa, and Harvey Troy (10 months) reside in North East, PA

• Kaitlyn, husband Shane, and Chevy (8 yrs. old), Emma and Luca ( Twins 5 yrs. old) reside in Selinsgrove, PA

• Andrew and wife Julia reside in Melrose, MA (currently without children)

 

Troy and Kim enjoy traveling, are hobby homesteaders (chickens, bees, and gardening), and are DIYers near the end of an extensive renovation of their home in Ripley.  It has been their life's quest to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He chose for them.  In addition to Troy’s service mentioned above, Kim has served as a church secretary, administrative assistant to the Batavia District Superintendent and part-time pastor. 

As a Pastor’s Kid, Troy grew up in a variety of small towns.  He was born in Mercer County PA, and moved to Clymer, NY when he was 11 years old.  He attended the Clymer NY school district during his formative years, and eventually spent his senior year of high school at Akron Central School in Akron, NY.  Kim spent her entire childhood growing up in Wrights Corners, NY and attending Newfane Central School where Troy later spent 26 years of his teaching career.  All three of their children also graduated from Newfane. After living and raising their family in the Newfane NY area for 26 years, they decided to return to Chautauqua County to a property where they could spend summer days sitting and relaxing on the front porch and watching the beautiful sunsets over Lake Erie. 

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Contact Troy Sellers:

(814) 725-4105

discipleship@pumcne.org