Meet the Staff

Dr. Jon O. Carlson
Director of Music Ministries
Email: j.carlson@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Direct the Chancel Choir; Direct the Chancel Bell Ringers; Coordinate the Children's Youth, Chancel Bell Ringers and Chancel Choirs. Serve as advisor/consultant to the lay-directors of the Children's Choirs and the Youth Choir.

Family: Wife, Anita, two daughters, Heather married to Bill Johnson, two grandchildren, Faithe and Ross Johnson and Jennifer married to Aaron Trovillion.

A favorite Bible verse: Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.


Angie Cosper
Director of Children's Ministries
Email: a.cosper@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Ministry Programs, special events and activities for children birth through 5th grade.

Family: Chip (married since July 4, 1999), Kendall, Christian, Henry.

A favorite Bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.


Amy Franks
Youth Director
Email: a.franks@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities:  The purpose of POINT youth ministries is to OUTREACH to students, to help them know the NEED for Christ, to get INVOLVED with other believers, and see students grow in their faith in order to TRIUMPH in their ministry and PRAISE God with their life.

Family: Awesome Husband John Franks, and primary job raising my 3 children – Logan, Austin & Peyton

A Favorite Bible Verse:  "Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then" Amy," you will be able to test and approve of what God's will is - His good pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2


Chris Harrill
Food Service Director
Email: c.harrill@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Plan menus and cooks for regular church functions, Wednesday Dinners, UMW lunches, Joy lunches, Lenten Lunches, and Special Events- Oversees kitchen use by all groups.

Family living in our home now: husband David, Mom Bee, and dog Gasser. Children: three girls all living away from Jacksonville. Mary and Jenny and their families live in the DC area. They have blessed us with a granddaughter and grandson. Jenny is due with second child in January. Carrie is serving in the Peace Corps, teaching English to Middle School Children in Madagascar. All three girls attended SUMC. Youth was most important to the older two, Mary and Jenny. Jenny sang in the choir as a youth and the older members influenced her life greatly. She is now an elementary school music teacher and sings in her church choir. Carrie has written more letters to our Friends Sunday School Class than she has to us.

A favorite Bible Verse: I don't have a "favorite " Bible verse. I think of its stories as a continuum of God's love for us and humankind's relationship to him. One that I think says this which I have written in the front of my Bible is Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.


Bruce Jones
Pastor
Email: b.jones@southsidemethodist.org

Responsiblities:  I am -- of course -- a preacher.  So my main responsiblitiy is to preach the Word of God.  As well, I am responsible for the leadership of the whole church.  The pastoral care of our members (particularly the homebound) is also very close to my heart.   

Family:  Haley and I have been married for 25 years.  She is a recruiter for the Kerrington Group and works out an office in our home.  We have two children, Sydney and Spencer, who make our life truly joyful!

Favorite Bible Verse:  Well, I pretty much like 'em all.  But one that pops into my head right now is Psalm 107:1-2: "O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble."  I count myself as one of those whom God has redeemed (and continues to redeem) from a heap of trouble.


Joseph E (Joe) Lanier
Superintendent of Facilities and Maintenance
Email: j.lanier@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Keeping everything working as it should and facility clean and welcoming.

Family: Married, wife Linda, 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren

A Favorite Bible Verse: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


 Logan Parker
Assistant Youth Director
Email: l.parker@southsidemethodist.org

Family: Cathy Parker (mother)

A Favorite Verse: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."


Dale Tedder 
Minister of Discipleship
Email: d.tedder@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Teaching, One-to-One Discipling, Men's Ministry, Counseling, Overseeing Small Groups, Bible Studies, and Sunday School Classes, Leadership Development.

Family: I have been married to Suzanne since 1994. We have four children: Natalie, Dylan, Jake, and Grant.

A favorite Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."


Sarah Troup
Email: s.troup@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Manage church office, develop and publish communications and publications, coordinate church calendar and room usage, maintain church database, update content of website, assist prospective and new members assimilate to SUMC.

Family: Kevin (husband), children: Leah and Kyle

A favorite Bible verse: Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.