Born and raised on the Texas Gulf Coast, Margaret Boles received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Western Connecticut State College, a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Her doctoral project is “Adjusting the Lens of Faith – Transformation through Short-term Mission.”

Margaret has been the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Temple, Texas, for the last twelve years. Margaret has served the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. as a Pastor, Campus Minister, Children’s and Youth Ministry Coordinator, Christian Educator, Choral Director, and as Program Director for a denominational camp and conference center. She has served at the presbytery level in numerous positions and is a commissioner to the 2010 General Assembly.

Margaret says, “The community of faith I seek to serve will be peopled with enthusiastic folk who have open hearts and minds and who realize that learning and growing in faith are never completed tasks. I envision a congregation that understands worship as the core of their life together, where children’s and youth ministries are priorities and where mission and service opportunities abound. I am eager to continue in ministry with a congregation that is willing to listen to others even when they disagree as the Spirit guides the process.

“I bring the gifts of enthusiasm, transparency and sincerity. My strengths lie in helping others to see the big picture, to vision and dream while walking alongside and working with them through the process. I see opportunities and possibilities even in the midst of great challenges.

“I am approachable and creative, and especially enjoy weaving music and drama into the life of the congregation. I take seriously the opportunity to plan worship that reflects the reformed tradition and at the same time engages the congregation in creative and vibrant participation. Preaching is a joy for me as I weave the stories of the community into a conversation with the Biblical text and theological reflection.

“I understand the heart of ministry to be with the people. Pastoral care is extremely vital for a pastor and I engage fully in this responsibility. I have participated in church transformation in educational settings and have lead congregations to embrace change as they consider God’s vision."

Margaret and John, her husband of 38 years, met while in college in Connecticut. Soon after they were married, they moved to the island of St. Thomas in the U. S. Virgin Islands, where Margaret taught public school and worked as a Parish Minister in the Reformed Church of America and John ran a small business.

John has been a companion in ministry to Margaret throughout their life together. John’s background is in construction management and theater. Most recently he has worked as the Technical Director at the Temple Civic Theater and has acted in several independent films. Margaret and John have three children and three grandchildren.

John and Margaret love to travel and have escorted groups from their congregations to Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba, Russia, Scotland and Germany. The focus of the trips has been to walk alongside sisters and brothers in faith.