Hello, I am Matthew Mitchell, and I am the Senior Pastor of The First United Methodist Church of Dacula.  I began serving this church in the summer of 2007, and serving in ministry here has been truly amazing.  You may ask, why should I visit this church or what makes this church so wonderful?  It is simple.  The people are amazing.  The church is a true picture of what the Kingdom of God will look like.  People from different backgrounds and areas of the world worship and serve here each week.

 

One of the most appealing aspects of the church is the fact that we are a family church.  That does not mean that you have to have a family to worship here on Sunday!  However, if you are looking for a place where you can encounter a sense of family, this church may be the place for you.  No matter if you have a bunch of kids or you are single, you will have the opportunity to find a church family at Dacula First.

 

I grew up in Lilburn, GA, where I attended Parkview High School.  After graduating from Parkview, I attended LaGrange College where I earned a B.B.A.  I then enrolled and graduated from The Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a Masters of Divinity.  I was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 2005, and I have been a United Methodist all of my life.

 

Most importantly, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior my freshman year of high school.  I am married to Amber Brown of Snellville, GA, and we are blessed with three wonderful children.  When I can break away, I love to play golf and hunt.

 

Favorite Movie:  Caddie Shack

 

Favorite Hymn:  O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Charles Wesley

 

Favorite Modern Worship Song:  Mighty to Save, Hillsong United

 

Playing on my iPhone at the moment:  Zack Kale, Michael Jackson, Ministry of Sound, the Humpty Dance

 

If I could meet anyone in history it would be:  Bobby Jones

 

People of influence in my life:  my parents, Dr. Stuard Gulley, Dr. Quincy Brown, and of course my much better half and the love of my life, Amber!

Paige Ann Miller

Assistant Pastor & Director of Children's Ministries

Let me begin by affirming what Rev. Matthew said: this is indeed a church that has a very real sense of family!  Whether you walk in alone or covered with kids, your family grows when you walk through these doors.

I am currently serving as the Assistant Pastor and Director of Children's Ministries at First UMC.  I grew up in the great state of North Carolina, but my family and I are incredibly blessed to have settled in Dacula after many years of moving around the country with the US Air Force.  I began serving in ministry here during the summer of 2009. 

I graduated from Davidson College in 1993 with a degree in English, and I am currently studying at The Candler School of Theology at Emory University.  I plan to graduate with a Masters of Divinity in May 2011.

I am passionate about teaching and studying the Bible, and I am truly grateful for those folks (ages 4 to 94+) who remind me that great questions rarely have easy answers.  It is a joy to explore God's Word with children of all ages at First UMC.

Favorite Movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

 

Favorite Hymn: In the Garden, Austin Miles

 

Favorite Modern Worship Song: Blessed Assurance, Third Day

 

Playing on my iPod:  Hebrew vocabulary drills, "Run with the Marine Corps" Cadences, and some relaxing piano music

 

If I could meet anyone in history it would be:  Paul

 

People of influence in my life: my amazing family and extended family, and the countless Sunday School teachers, school teachers, and professors who have put up with my endless questions over the years!

My name is Kathy Gonsalves, and I am the Director of Traditional Music Ministries here at the First United Methodist Church of Dacula. It is my joy to direct the Adult Chancel Choir, Divine Creation (Youth Choir), our Youth Strings Ensemble, the Men’s Ensemble, and to oversee the Children’s Choir program.  Our church is blessed with people of all ages who enjoy serving God through singing or playing instruments!

I was born in Macon, GA, and graduated with a BMU and Master’s degrees from Georgia State University.  I taught elementary music in the DeKalb and Gwinnett County School Systems before being called to FUMC of Dacula in 2006. I have one son, Joe, who is a student at the University of West GA.  I enjoy spending time with Joe, reading and watching movies.

Please come and be a part of the Music program at FUMC of Dacula!  There is a place for you as an instrumentalist or in one of our choirs!

Favorite Movie:  The Preacher’s Wife

Favorite Hymn:  Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Favorite Modern Worship Song:  Redeemer (Nicole C. Mullens)

Playing on my iPod: Hymns Modern and Ancient, Mark Harris, Nicole C. Mullens

If I could meet anyone in history it would be:  Beethoven (wild and crazy guy!)

People of influence in my life:  My parents, my brother, Ruth MacDonald and Dr. Donald Gingrich (both GSU professors), Audrey Cooper (a musician in my childhood church)

My name is Tim Dryden, and I am the Modern Worship Leader at FUMCD.  I was saved at the age of 17 and have been following Christ passionately ever since.  I have been a part of two church plants and have a heart for outreach.  It is my sincere hope that we would worship Jesus in a fresh and powerful way.

Favorite Movie:  The Fountain

Favorite Hymn:  On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

Favorite Modern Worship Song:  God of this City

Playing on my iPod:  Fee, Hillsong United, Paramore, Angels and Airwaves, George Winston, Dashboard Confessional, Bright Eyes, Jason Upton, Planet Shakers

If I could meet anyone in history it would be:  David

People of influence in my life:  Anyone living out their calling from the overflow and abundance of God's Spirit within them