Ministers & Staff

Rev. Smoke Kanipe was appointed as Senior Minister at Shandon United Methodist in June 2016. He says even back in his childhood days, one of the things he would tell folks he wanted to be when he grew up was a pastor.

After Smoke graduated from Spartanburg High School, he went to Duke University and Duke Divinity School to prepare to be a pastor, and for over 30 years he’s been living out that childhood dream. He says, “I feel very blessed that God has called me to do the thing that I enjoy most in life.”

Before Smoke came to Shandon, he served Methodist congregations in England, Mauldin, Greenville, and Spartanburg. Smoke and his wife, Sue, have two children, Hannah and Nicholas.

His FAQ: “Where did ‘Smoke’ come from? Not a very exciting story, really. My dad’s nickname was ‘Smokey.'”

Rev. Eddie Huss joined Shandon as Minister of Music in August 2011. Prior to coming to Shandon, he was the Minister of Music at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point, NC for thirteen years. He has served as Minister of Music at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sumter, SC, and First United Methodist Church in Douglas, GA.

Eddie is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church and past President of the South Carolina Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Worship Arts. He brings to Shandon a rich experience in worship and music. As a pianist, organist and vocalist, he has performed in many concerts and venues.

He earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Greensboro College, in Greensboro, NC and the Master of Music degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. Eddie and his wife, Marcie, have a son, Wesley.

Rev. James Grubb was appointed as Minister of Assimilation and Discipleship at Shandon United Methodist in June 2018. James graduated from Sumter High School in 1983 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University in 1988. After fifteen years in the electrical industry, he enrolled at Erskine Theological Seminary and received a Master of Divinity degree in 2006.

He served five years as a youth director in Greenville prior to serving as a Local pastor and being ordained as an Elder in 2010. He has served appointments as senior minister in Conway, Pinopolis and Ruffin. James’ ministry model is “I love God and I love people. And, I desire to help others come to know and love God.”

James wed his beloved wife, Claire, in December 1992. They feel incredibly blessed to be at Shandon, being able to serve and building relationships with everyone.

Rev. Shannon Bullion was appointed as Minister of Evangelism and Outreach at Shandon United Methodist in June of 2019. Shannon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology/Consumer Science from Western Kentucky University. She received her Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. 

Before entering the ministry, she worked in human resources management. Shannon served appointments at Grover and Providence United Methodist Churches for three years before coming to Shandon. She has two children, Mackenzie and Charlie. 

Shannon was a Forward Focus Leader in her previous district and is passionate about ministry, contemplative prayer and serving God and neighbor.