Meet the Staff
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 of 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.
Dale Tedder Minister of Discipleship 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."
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.
Gigi Johns Director of Contemporary Music
Email: g.johns@southsidemethodist.org
Responsibilities: The spiritual and professional leader and manager for the contemporary music programs. Plans, selects, prepares, and directs the music for the Contemporary Worship Service. Help run and coordinate volunteers for the audio-visual equipment throughout the church. Participate in weekly worship planning meetings with Pastors.
Family: husband, Jeff; children, Sydney, Avery, and Virginia
Favorite Bibile Verse: Always changing! But currently: Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
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.
Sarah Troup
Administration Email: s.troup@southsidemethodist.org
Responsibilities: Manage church office, develop and publish communications pieces, 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: Ever changing favorite! Today, I'll go with.. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Steve Dickson
Associate Youth Director
Email: s.dickson@southsidemethodist.org
Responsibilities: Leading the Youth of SUMC, and all of Jacksonville, to find, develop, and grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.