Neil Anderson

Neil Anderson and his wife, Missy have one son and one daughter and five grandkids. They have been members for three years. Neil participates in the Tuesday men’s Bible study, Family Promise, and the S.A.L.T. Sunday school class. At his previous church, he participated in the Celebration and Anchor Sunday school classes, World Vision Mission and Habitat for Humanity. He also served as a LEAD Institute Coach and Bill Maness Scholarship Program Mentor. Mentoring young men and coaching small start-up and mid-size profit ministries have been most meaningful in Neil’s faith development.

Justin Cook

Justin Cook and his wife Lindsay joined RPC in 2017 and have four children - Christopher, John, Clara, and Eddie. They have taught elementary Sunday School for several years. They served as the family at the Nativity/Holy Family Christmas Eve of 2019; Eddie was baby Jesus. Justin has participated in the married people, men’s retreat, and the men’s early Friday morning Bible study. He is currently an active Stephen Minister. When asked what person, program, or event has been most meaningful in his faith development, Justin said, “As a teenager, I grew up in a vibrant and flourishing youth group that had a lasting impact on me. It was in that environment I felt comfortable asking questions about my faith. Through those years, I grew in my knowledge of Christ and my reliance upon Him continued to grow. I specifically recall preparing for a mission trip to Guatemala and having a deep spiritual experience after reading Philippians 2:3-4, which taught me to always put others’ needs ahead of my own. I’m thankful for those experiences which remind me to encourage my own children to grow in their faith and seek God’s word.”

Jody Danneman

Jody Danneman has been a member of RPC since 2006. He and his wife Sally have one adult daughter, Marianne. Jody served as an elder with the class of 2011 and was on the communications ministry and continues to be involved. Jody is also currently involved with the college of elders, serving Communion, A/V acoustics committee, and Sanctuary lighting team. He is a scholarship sponsor for a child in Guatemala, volunteered with HomeStretch, was a member of the Sanctuary improvements committee, usher and on the membership ministry. Along with his company, Atlanta ImageArts, he assisted with the production of several of our Glory of Christmas concerts. When asked what has been most meaningful in his faith development, he says, “I continue to be strengthened in my faith by working on the various platforms that bring more people to Christ. Whether it be through a live worship service, web platforms or print material – these projects teach me so much as I work on content and move me in my faith as I see how people receive them by opening their hearts to Christ.”  

Mark Fitch

Mark Fitch and his wife Natalie have two children, Connor,14, and Caroline, 9. Members John and Lisa Chattin are Natalie’s parents. Mark has been involved at RPC since he joined seven years ago. He has been active in Sunday School and he is currently serving as a Confirmation mentor. At his previous church, he was on the finance committee. When asked what has been most meaningful in his faith development, he says, “My grandfather was a Church of Christ minister, so I was lucky enough to grow up with a great example of what it means to be a Christian. My wife, Natalie, has been the most meaningful person in my faith journey as an adult.”

Sara Hammond

Sara Hammond and Nate have been members for 10 years. They have three girls - Bree, Nellie, and Lydia. Sara is currently on the VBS leadership team and has previously taught Bible and art with onCore, participated in women’s Bible study, women’s retreats, served as an instructor for the music and arts bunch and the preschool music camp. Sara says what has been meaningful in her faith development is being involved with the VBS leadership team, which has shown her how meaningful and uplifting it can be to share Christ with others, especially children.  She says, “VBS is a family event for us” and looks forward to volunteering for it every summer.  Sara enjoys sharing this amazing week with her children and the others who attend.

Eve Heslin

Eve Heslin, age 16, is our Youth Elder nominee and has been a part of RPC her entire life. She was confirmed in March 2018. Eve is a member of the 96:ONE youth choir, a member of the ryeX high school leadership team, a regular small group attendee, and is on the 2021 Montreat planning team. She has also been a VBS volunteer, member of the ryeX middle school leadership team, a greeter at worship, and has been on several ryeX camps and mission trips. When asked what has been most meaningful in her faith development, she says, “Marian Seaman was a fantastic confirmation mentor! We are still close, and I consider her a valuable leader in my journey of faith.”

Mary Katherine Holloway

Mary Katherine Holloway has two children, Charlie (10th grade) and Maggie (7th grade) with her husband, Charlie. They have been members for seven years. Mary Katherine has been involved as a children’s choir volunteer, children’s handbell choir volunteer, 2nd grade Sunday school teacher, and an onCore table parent. When asked what has been most meaningful in her faith development, she says, “Music! I find inspiration through all types of music, from traditional hymns to contemporary praise music to children’s choir songs.”

Meg Lamb

Meg Lamb has been a member since 2018 and is employed with Truist in Human Resources. During her career, giving back to the community and focusing on financial well-being and confidence has occurred with time devoted to Junior Achievement events. This passion is also what drew her to HomeStretch in October of 2018, when she began volunteering as one of the two lead volunteers with the youth during their life skills sessions. As a member of RPC, she is the Mission Champion for Homestretch since spring 2020. Meg also recently joined the HomeStretch board of directors in August 2020. When asked what person, program, or event has been most meaningful in her faith development, she says, “I am a member and part of the RPC family not *for* Carrie Weatherford, but *because* of Carrie Weatherford. She was my first friend in my college sorority, and she has always carried faith as part of her life and story. Over the last 20 years, her commitment to faith has led me along to my own reaffirmation to God. Even more specifically, I recall so clearly sitting in the 8:15 a.m. service on Sunday, November 4, 2018 as a guest, and heard Lyndsay preach Psalm 23. At the end she asked, what is our Psalm 23 journey? I knew it was time to formally commit to RPC and reaffirm my faith to God. Both strong, caring women have touched my family’s life – praying over my marriage, baptizing my son, praying and support during times of loss - and I’m grateful for their hand in my journey of faith.”

Marilyn Milley

Marilyn Milley and her husband Ethan have three adult sons who were all raised in the Presbyterian faith at RPC. Her boys grew up in East Cobb and are now all living/working/schooling in various cities. She shares, “We are a very tight knit family and truly appreciate the times we have together. Our family has been blessed with the gifts and support we have received and those we have shared with RPC through the years.” Marilyn is on the welcome committee, a confirmation mentor, event volunteer, and Christmas greeter, just to name a few activities. She has also participated in a Guatemala mission trip, been a Sunday school teacher for seven years, Wednesday night group leader and volunteer with youth, children, and the mission auction. When asked what has been most meaningful in her faith development she says, “There are many people who have helped me to grow spiritually in my life, but most significantly, my husband, Ethan. He has taught me to listen and learn and be true to my heart and our Lord, Jesus Christ. In addition, I have found tremendous spiritual joy in building relationships with other people at RPC… children, adults, leaders and those who I have met in the mission programs through the years.”

Jim Moody

Jim Moody and his wife, Bobbie, have been members for 43 years.  They have a daughter, Kristen, a son Randy, a daughter-in-law, Debbie, and two granddaughters, Ashlyn, and Morgan. Jim has served twice on the RPC Session, one term as the chair of the music ministry, choir member, director of the RPC brass ensemble and was on the three of our choir director search committees. Jim says those most meaningful in his faith development were Cy Mallard, Lane Alderman, Jeff Meyers, Disciples Class led by Bonnie Peet, and his parents and grandparents.

Anne Moore 

Anne Moore has been a member for five years and attends the faith and grace Bible study, Thursday night community group, and is on the VBS leadership team. Anne has also volunteered as an onCore volunteer and participated in the women’s Wednesday Bible study during the summers. She is married to Jason and they have two children, Madison (14) and Elizabeth (11). Anne says, “The studies that RPC provides have been the most rewarding to me in my faith development. Being able to study the Bible alongside other members of the church has made Sunday worship more meaningful. The opportunity to discuss questions and reflect on scripture has made me become a more aware Christian and leave me wanting to learn more.”

David Pynne

David Pynne has been a member for 20 years and has been married to his high school sweetheart for 35 years, Crysti. They have one son, JT, who earned a PhD in Environmental Science/Ecology and “gets paid to walk around in the woods looking for small furry animals.” David is involved as an adult leader of ryeX youth, co-leader of 9th grade guys Bible study, co-leader of summer Bible study for college students, co-facilitator of next chapter Sunday School class, planning team member for the men’s retreat, and member of the APNC that called Dan Kreiss. He is a regular attendee of Sunday school, worship and WEF, and continues an ongoing involvement with youth-retreats, confirmation mentor, Sunday school leader, and small group leader. David was a member of the senior pastor nominating committee that called Jeff Meyers, is a co-leader of the Crabapple area Community Small Group studies, has participated in mission trips to Belize, Guatemala, and served as an overnight host for Family Promise.  Of his most meaningful faith development experience he says, “A few years ago I would have said my participation in the Disciple Series of long-term Bible Studies (when they were offered at RPC in the early 2000’s), as that was foundational in maturing my understanding of God’s plan – through Christ and the Holy Spirit – for the world and for me. But at some point, I realized that life is all about relationships. And the relationships that I have formed in various small-group roles at RPC have been key to keeping my faith alive and active; my spiritual journey moving forward; and joy, hope, and love central in my heart.”

David Rozier

David Rozier and his wife, Sissy, were married in the historic sanctuary in 1979 by Cy Mallard. They have two children, Elizabeth, 34, and Rand, 30, both of whom were baptized at RPC and are graduates of RPC Preschool and the youth programs. David and Sissy have a new grandson, Wheeler Jones, born in January of this year. They have been members for 39 years. David is a member of the men’s early Tuesday morning Bible study.  As a prior elder he served on the RPC Preschool Board, chaired the financial resources ministry, and was a member of both the personnel committee and building and property ministry. He grew up in the 1st Presbyterian and Altama Presbyterian Churches of Brunswick, Georgia. When asked what has been most meaningful in his faith development, David says, “Both my mother and father provided excellent examples of a strong and active faith life. My faith journey was tremendously strengthened as I began attending Lane’s Bible Study in the early 2000s and continue to this day in that study as Jeff has ably stepped in. Former Sunday School teachers, Carol Swan and Harry Varner, were also instrumental in the on-going development of my understanding of God’s word.”

Pam Verma 

Pam Verma has been a member for 14 years and has been married to Randy for 25 years.  They have three children, Evan (24), Millan (21), and Maya (18). Pam is currently serving on the Communion guild and is a small group leader for ryeX, 7th grade girls. Pam has also been an onCore Bible leader and table parent, VBS volunteer, Rutledge kitchen help, and a shadow for students during Sunday school. At her previous churches, she has been involved with VBS, adult Bible study, and was a women’s group leader. Pam says the Communion guild has been such a blessing for her.  She has served as a member for years and cherishes the relationship from the group.  She shares that even though they only meet monthly, these women are such examples of God’s love whose wisdom inspires and guides her. In her words, “The group is truly the hands and feet of Christ,” which has impacted her greatly to give more and do more for God’s kingdom.

Lisa Wiley

Lisa Wiley joined the church with her husband, Bill, two years ago. She currently is involved with the racial justice strategy team and the under the skin book study group.  She is also a member of the intercessory prayer group and was a greeter for the modern worship service. Lisa and her husband came from the United Methodist Church and over their lifetime of membership they served in every possible work area including the following committees: worship, missions, finance, and trustees. When asked what has been most meaningful in her faith development, she says, “As an adult, my attendance at a Walk to Emmaus (WTE) retreat, and then my participation in other walks as a servant has most profoundly affected my spiritual growth. A second, and equally profound influence has been my WTE related small accountability group.”

What are the qualifications of an elder?

We believe that the only thing that qualifies anyone is the grace of Jesus Christ. However, we also believe that elders are leaders of the church and therefore are held to a higher standard. Our hope is that these men and women would most importantly live as disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, both in word and works.

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> ELDER QUALIFICATIONS
> NOMINATION PROCESS