Joel graduated from Mercer University, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and
served 12 years with several corporations in Engineering, Project Management, Marketing, and Sales. In 2002, Joel, his wife
Jill, and their three boys, sold their home in Greenville, SC, and moved to Columbia Theological Seminary (Decatur, GA), where
both Joel and Jill completed Masters of Divinity degrees. Joel has served as our Pastor since September 2005. He is passionate
for the gospel, a visionary leader, and is challenging us all to respond more fully and faithfully to God's mission for us
into and beyond this community. Joel also loves golf, soccer, tennis, and currently... Black Ops for XBox 360!
Dell grew up in the Decatur area and has been a member of Rehoboth since
1971. After graduating from Shamrock High School, Dell worked in a number of administrative capacities until she and her husband,
Michael, started their family. After their two girls were in school, Dell joined the Rehoboth staff part-time in 1985, when
the office consisted of a telephone, typewriter, a stenograph, and a small copy machine. As new technologies come to Rehoboth,
Dell enjoys trying new ways to be of better service to our congregation and the community we reach out to. Dell and Michael
continue to be active members at Rehoboth. They feel lucky to be able to spend time with their two daughters, two sons-in-law,
and several grandchildren; and “pioneering” in Mineral Bluff.
Karen Medford Director of Children and Family Ministries
Karen Medford joined the staff
at Rehoboth in April 2009, because she shared the mission of reaching out to the neighborhood and sharing God's love with
the children and families that live here. Karen has lived in the Lindmoor Woods neighborhood behind the church since 1997.
She graduated from Capital University in Columbus Ohio, with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and besides working as a nurse
she has been a camp counselor, kitchen staff and life guard. Karen and her husband Michael are the parents of Joel, Lydia
and Lisa.
Vanessa joined the Rehoboth family as Preschool Director in May 2007. Georgia
has been her home for most of her life. She lived in Decatur as a child and attended near by Laurel Ridge Elementary School
before moving from the area with her family. Vanessa returned to Decatur in 1994 and has re-established her roots
near her childhood home. Vanessa graduated from the University of Georgia with a BSHE (Bachelor of Science in Home Economics),
then worked in the field of Interior Design for many years before returning to school to follow her heart and by getting her
Early Elementary Childhood Education Degree. Since then, Vanessa has worked in several elementary schools and preschools.
She enjoys being the mom of 3 wonderful children, listening to Christian pop music and sometimes classic rock, doing various
arts & crafts, working in her yard & being outdoors, and being with her family & friends.
Anna joined our staff in January 2011 and brings with her many years of full time music ministry experience. She
has served churches in several different states and denominations. Anna holds an undergraduate degree from Emory University,
and a Masters of Arts in Music with an emphasis in organ and piano. She is equally at home with the youngest singer or the
most experienced and trained soloist and choral ensemble. Current passions include writing curriculum for preschool music
and arranging for choral and praise ensembles. Anna lives in Snellville with her husband Bob. They are parents to two
grown children, one precious grand-daughter, seven (7!) four-legged canines and 4(!) four-legged felines. In their spare time,
the Anna and Bob enjoy cooking, entertaining, and their mountain home in North Georgia.
John Fawcett Director of Youth Ministries (6th-12th)
John is a 26 year old seminary student at Columbia Seminary.He is from
North Carolina, is the oldest of 3 brothers, and is obsessed with music (playing and listening).His
favorite thing to do in the summer is float down the river in a tube. This year, he is trying his
luck at gardening in the community garden behind his dorm, and is hoping not to kill any of his plants. John enjoys
cutting up and some good ole-fashioned tom foolery just as much as the next person, but also believes in the importance of
respect for others as well as their time and thoughts.John is excited to be a part of the Rehoboth family,
and is looking forward to getting to know everyone!
Jody Andrade Pastoral Intern, Fall 2011 - Spring 2012
Jody is a third
year student at Columbia Theological Seminary. She grew up just down the street from Rehoboth and graduated from Lakeside.
After high school she earned a degree in Economics at Wake Forest, a Masters in Sports Administration at GSU, and is now pursuing
her Masters of Divinity. Jody and her husband of 23 years, Billy, have a son, Cameron (17), a daughter, Grace (14), and a
beloved Corgi named April. Jody loves to read, exercise, learn, and laugh--not necessarily in that order--and is endlessly
grateful to God for this opportunity to be with the people of Rehoboth Presbyterian.
