Our Staff

Ministerial Staff

Rev. Dr. G. Thomas Martin

Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Martin joins LaGrange First UMC, bringing with him 16 years of pastoral experience. Previously, he served at Peachtree Road UMC, Sandy Springs UMC, and Fayetteville First UMC while pursuing his Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology. Before his roles in congregational life, he attained a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School.

Rev. Jatin Gill

In 2013, during his undergraduate studies, Rev. Jatin Gill found his calling to ministry after encountering Jesus. After engineering studies in India, he pursued theological education at Gammon Theological Seminary in the USA, graduating in 2021. He served as lead pastor in Rome, GA, marrying Dapinder Kaur in 2022, and they welcomed their son, Samuel Rehmat Gill, in 2023.

Jeanne Jones

Jeanne Jones has served as our Children’s Minister since 2017, when she and her husband, Al, moved to Georgia to be closer to family. She also serves as the District Children’s Coordinator for the SouthWest District of the North Georgia Conference’s Board of Laity and the SouthWest District’s contact for the NGUMC Children’s Ministry Networking Groups.

Jeradean Collins

Nursery Assistant Jeradean Collins has worked in our nursery for the past 28 years.

Maxine Ogletree

Nursery Assistant Maxine Ogletree has worked in our nursery for the past 25 years.

Don Papenbrock

Minister of Music

Suzi Goldston

As our Director of Missions and Hospitality, Suzi Goldston…

Andy Rainey

Andy Rainey, our Executive Minister, graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After working in finance for more than 20 years, he joined the staff of LaGrange First Methodist in 2011 as its Operations Manager and then as the Church Administrator.

Sharon Wilkes

Sharon Wilkes, our Communications & Membership Director, graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University (now Georgia Southern University) with a Masters of Public Health Communication. After working for various small businesses as a copywriter and marketer for 12 years, she joined the staff of LaGrange First United Methodist in 2024.

Scott Hill

Scott Hill has been LaGrange First Methodist’s Facilities Maintenance Coordinator since 2019. Originally from Rome, Georgia, he graduated from Berry College in 2010 with a degree in History and a minor in Anthropology.

Eddie Giddens

Custodian Eddie Giddens most likely walks several miles a day within the walls of our church in his role as LaGrange First Methodist’s custodian since 2001.