Randall R. Hamill, senior pastor, became pastor of First United Methodist Church, Grove, June 11, 2000.  A native of Adair, Oklahoma, he graduated from Adair High School in 1970, received a Bachelor of Sciences Degree from Oklahoma State University in 1974 and a Masters of Divinity Degree from Phillips Graduate Seminary, magna cum laude in 1994, receiving awards in preaching, biblical studies, and the UMC Church Award.  He was ordained as Elder in the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1996.

His first career was in farming and ranching near Adair, where he and wife Debra began raising four daughters: Rachel,  Rebekah, Sarah and Hannah.  After many years of active lay ministry, and part-time pastorates, the Hamills received the call to vocational, pastoral ministry, leaving their farm in 1995. 

Before coming to Grove, Randy served pastorates in Locust Grove, Pryor and Bryan Chapel, near Salina.