Tyler Montague
Tyler Montague has been a member of RPC since January 2023 and quickly became active in several areas of church life. He is a member of the SALT Sunday School class and regularly attends the 8:15 a.m. worship service. Tyler currently leads the Food & Fellowship program at RPC and participates in the Tuesday Men’s Bible Study group. He is also involved in various church events and service opportunities, including Guatemala food packing and NFCC outreach activities. Before taking on the leadership role this year, he participated in the Food & Fellowship program for the past two years.

Prior to joining RPC, Tyler served in multiple roles at other churches. He was a member of the Diaconate and a Sunday School teacher at Easley Presbyterian Church. He also helped organize summer family night activities and sang in church choirs at several congregations. Tyler and his wife are proud parents of three children—Clark, Shelby, and Ben—and grandparents to six grandchildren ranging in age from 18 months to 15 years. Their son Ben and his wife Caroline are also members of RPC. Tyler’s mother, Barbara Montague, was a member of RPC in the 1990s. One of his most meaningful faith experiences at RPC has been the SALT class, a group of friends that he and his wife have come to deeply cherish.

Bill Powell
Bill Powell has been a dedicated member of RPC for 43 years and has served the church in numerous leadership and volunteer roles during that time. He previously served as an elder in the classes of 1994, 2007, and 2015. Bill continues to be actively involved in church life through Vacation Bible School, Wreaths Across America, confirmation mentoring, the Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study, and Roswell Presbyterian volunteer activities.

Throughout the years, he has also contributed to many areas of ministry, including the Financial Resource Ministry, Personnel Committee, and Discipleship Ministry. He has served as a youth leader, Sunday school teacher, and talk-back leader, and has volunteered with Camp Rutledge. Bill has also participated in mission trips to Kenya and Brazil and has served on several pastor and youth director search committees.

Bill and his wife, Martha Wood Powell, will celebrate 47 years of marriage in April and their two sons were raised here at RPC. Bill is retired telecommunications executive with BellSouth/AT&T and a graduate of the University of Georgia. Bill says that working with youth has been especially meaningful to his faith journey and he remains deeply inspired by the faith, service, and courage of Lane Alderman.

Chrissy Kennedy
Chrissy Kennedy has been a lifelong member of the church, having grown up in the congregation and being confirmed in 1995. She previously served as an elder from 2017 to 2020 and continues to be actively involved in the life of the church. Chrissy currently participates in the Social Service Community Group, teaches Sunday school, and serves as a nurse during Vacation Bible School. Over the years, she has also taught preschool and elementary Sunday school classes, volunteered with VBS and participated in the onCore ministry.

Chrissy’s faith has been deeply shaped by the example of her parents and grandparents, whose Christian example helped lay a strong spiritual foundation in her life. Roswell Presbyterian Church has been central to her faith journey and spiritual growth over the years. Chrissy and her husband Finian have two daughters, Hannah and Leah, who were both baptized at the church. As a family, they enjoy playing sports together and cheering on their daughters in their activities. Chrissy is grateful for the community and faith formation she has experienced through the church and looks forward to continuing to serve.

Ethan Milley
Ethan Milley has been a member of RPC for more than 23 years and has been actively involved in the life of the church during that time. He currently serves at the Welcome Center and participates in a weekly Bible study. In previous years, Ethan also served as a Sunday school teacher at RPC. One of the most meaningful influences in his faith development has been the weekly Bible study and the mentorship of Lane Alderman.

Chris Fudger
Chris Fudger has been a member of RPC for 21. During that time he served as an elder in the Classes of 2015 and 2023 on both the Worship Council and the Financial Resources Ministry. Chris continues to be active in several areas of church life. He is a member of the Chancel Choir and serves on the Men’s Retreat Committee.

Chris and his wife, Amy, are both active members of RPC. They have three children two young adults and a high school senior, that have grown up here at RPC. Their family’s involvement at RPC has been an important part of their faith journey over the years.

Chris credits many people and experiences for helping shape his faith. As a teenager, youth leaders and guest speakers played a meaningful role in his spiritual development. As an adult, singing in church choirs and participating in thoughtful discussions within community groups have continued to deepen and strengthen his faith.

Jillian Bauersfeld
Jillian Bauersfeld has been a member of RPC for five years and is actively involved in the life of the church as a VBS volunteer and Confirmation mentor. She and her husband, John have 3 children Will (15), Noah (12), and Asher (10). Jillian credits her faith development to several key influences, including her father, retired Admiral Samuel Jones Locklear III, and her lifelong passion for photography, which allows her to appreciate the beauty God has created in all people.

Her 18 years as a theater arts teacher and her husband’s 25-year career as a high school basketball coach and teacher have also shaped her understanding of mentorship, leadership, and community. Jillian finds joy and inspiration in seeing her children engage with ryeX and Confirmation at RPC, experiences that continue to nurture their faith.

Clay Boyles
Clay Boyles has worshiped at RPC for four years and has been a member for nearly three years. He is actively involved in many areas of church life, including serving as an Eat, Pray, Serve leader, middle school Sunday school teacher, confirmation mentor, and confirmation class teacher. Clay also participates in the Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study, volunteers with Family Promise, serves as a greeter, and occasionally plays with the bell choir.

Before joining RPC, Clay served in numerous leadership roles at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Roswell, including multiple terms as an elder. His involvement there also included serving on the Youth, Worship, and Personnel Committees, as well as roles such as Youth Director and member of pastor and elder nominating committees.

A lifelong Presbyterian with deep roots in the church, Clay credits his early faith formation to the youth leaders who guided him growing up. Attending a Montreat Youth Conference in 1980 had a lasting impact on his life and faith, and he continues to attend Montreat Youth Conferences today.

Spencer Bissell
Spencer Bissell has been a member of RPC for one year and has quickly become active in the life of the church. He is involved with the ryeX youth program, Vacation Bible School, RPC Young Adults, and the Youth Council. Previously, Spencer served as Director of Christian Education at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, where he gained valuable experience in faith formation and youth ministry.

The youth program at RPC has been especially meaningful to him, as teaching and mentoring young people has brought both joy and personal growth. Spencer has deepened his own faith by witnessing youth explore their beliefs and ask thoughtful questions.

Joanna Holcombe
Joanna Holcombe has been a member of RPC for 12 years and is actively involved in many areas of church life. She participates in the Chancel Choir, attends the Pathfinders Sunday School class, and serves on Circle 6 as well as the Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team. Earlier in her faith journey, Joanna completed the LifeKeys course, which helped deepen her understanding of her spiritual gifts and personal faith.

Before joining RPC, she was involved in choirs, adult Sunday School, women’s Bible study, and youth programs at other churches. Joanna and her husband, Edwin (“Win”) Holcombe, have two sons, Rowan and Kieran, who attend Georgia Tech. Her father, Bruce Menozzi, is also a member of RPC.

For Joanna, being a part of Circle 6 has been particularly meaningful, challenging her to dig into her faith, explore new perspectives, and form lasting friendships with other women in the church. This experience has taught her to “walk in the dark,” trusting God even when answers aren’t clear, and has been central to her spiritual growth. Her long-standing involvement and commitment reflect a deep dedication to both personal faith and the RPC community.

Sally Rhoden
Sally Rhoden has been a member of RPC for 23 years and has served the church in numerous leadership and volunteer roles. She is currently active in the Chancel Choir, leads small groups, serves as a Stephen Minister, and has participated in committees such as Strategic Planning, Worship and Music, and pastoral search committees. Sally has also co-led retreats, supported the Funeral Guild, volunteered with VBS, and helped lead the Estrangement Support Group, among many other ministries.

Prior to RPC, she was a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church in Marietta for about 25 years, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, choir member, elder, and served on the Christian Education Committee.

Attending church up in her hometown of Monroe, Georgia, instilled in her a lifelong faith that has been nurtured through her involvement in both John Knox Presbyterian and RPC. Sally is a retired healthcare administrator and proud mother of three sons and one daughter, as well as grandmother to seven grandchildren.

Todd Tucker
Todd Tucker has been a member of RPC for 6 years. During that time, he has been actively involved in the life of the congregation. Todd currently participates in the Canton Community Group, sings in the Chancel Choir and has served on the church’s search committee for an Organist.

Prior to his time at RPC, Todd spent 30 years as the organist and pianist for multiple congregations. His wife has also served as an Elder for RPC and is active in the life of the church. Todd's love for worship and music has played an important role in shaping his faith and connection to the church.

Claire Jones
Claire Jones has been a member of RPC for 26 years. She currently serves on the usher team, participates in the Communion Guild, Theology on Tap, and volunteers with RPV. Earlier in her time at RPC, Claire served as a second-grade Sunday School teacher, volunteered with Homestretch, was a member of the Building & Property Committee, and helped with onCore (formerly Kids Club). She also previously served as a youth volunteer at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta.

Claire and her life partner, Eric Palefsky, have been together since 2018. She is the proud mother of two adult children, Shelby and Dalton, both of whom were baptized and confirmed at RPC. Her parents, Dan and Sidney West, and her brother, Andrew, live in Atlanta and attend First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta.

Claire’s faith has been deeply shaped by her family, especially her father, a longtime Presbyterian minister and college president. She also credits both her childhood pastor and her grandmother for helping form her lifelong faith. Experiences surrounding her grandmother’s passing in 2004 and her father’s serious illness and recovery in 2022 strengthened her sense of God’s presence and the power of prayer. Most recently, a trip to Kenya to visit the R.O.C.K. Bridge Ministry further inspired her faith and her desire to support meaningful ministry both locally and globally.

Emma Strickland
Emma Strickland has been a part of RPC for nearly her entire life, growing up deeply connected to the church community. She is currently a 6th grade girls’ Sunday School leader and has previously been involved with ryeX and the 96:One Youth Choir. Her parents, Mike and Tina Strickland, have been foundational in her faith journey, encouraging her to pursue her God-given passions and remain engaged in church life. Emma’s siblings, Maggie and Davis, also grew up attending RPC and continue to participate whenever they are home from college. Emma teaches 9th and 10th grade English at West Forsyth High School and coaches the varsity girls’ lacrosse team, bringing her passion for leadership and guidance into her everyday work.

Emma credits many mentors and leaders at RPC for guiding her spiritual growth over the years. Her Sunday School teachers and onCore leaders played important roles, but Betsy Homer stands out as a particularly meaningful influence. Emma first met Betsy at age six when beginning piano lessons, and over the years Betsy has been an excellent example of what it means to follow where God leads you.

Gavin Croom
Gavin Croom has been a member of RPC for eight years and is actively involved in supporting the church’s youth programs. He currently serves on the Youth Council, providing guidance and perspectives on the program. He has previously served on the eXtreme Retreat planning committee.

Gavin credits his faith development to the many leaders at RPC, past and present, whose commitment and faithfulness have deeply influenced him. Their example strengthened his own faith and inspired him to serve others.

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