On July 1, 2012, Lou Perez accepted a dual pastorate with Union United Methodist Church and Lake View United Methodist Church. Pastor Perez is originally from Oklahoma. He has also lived in Alabama, Virginia, and Spain. Pastor Perez never expected to be asked of God to pastor a church. His background is in law enforcement. He worked for 2 years in Petersburg, Virginia and then served for 25 years with the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC. He spent 23 of those years as a detective and 6 years in homicide. While serving in this capacity he studied and became a certified Lay Speaker and continued to study after retirement and his move in 2004 to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Pastor Perez states that he never woke up and wished to be a pastor. It was a slow process that led him to this point in his life. He says he is humbled and grateful to be called to serve in this capacity. His desires are to meet the needs of his dual congregation, to get to know each family, and get to know the people in the community.