St. Simons Presbyterian Pastors & Staff
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Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer
Interim Pastor steve@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 103 Steve and his wife Anita have two grown daughters (Meghan and Amanda) and two grandchildren. Following graduation from the University of North Carolina, Steve attended Union Seminary in Virginia where he earned a doctoral degree in Ministry Theology with an emphasis on preaching and church administration. He specializes in spiritual and grief counseling, compassion coaching, and family counseling. Steve wrote, “God is ineffable, transcendent, and way beyond our pay grade to understand. Spiritual growth comes from practicing gratitude, compassion, acceptance, meaning, and forgiveness.” Steve most recently served as the interim pastor at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to serving Independent Presbyterian Church Birmingham, Steve was the Senior Pastor at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida for 14 years and the Senior Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia for 15 years. |
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Rev. Annie Franklin Arvin
Associate Pastor for Youth & Mission annie@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 106 Annie Franklin Arvin was called to St. Simons Presbyterian in August 2018. Annie was raised in Morganton, NC and grew up attending First Presbyterian Church Morganton. After graduating from North Carolina State University, she spent a year as the Campus Ministry Intern for the Presbyterian Student Association at the University of South Carolina. She graduated in May 2018 from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. In her free time, Annie enjoys running, playing with her dog, and spending time with her husband and daughter! |
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Rev. Kate Buckley
Parish Associate for Congregational Care & Visitation kate@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 112 Kate Buckley was raised within the walls of St. Simons Presbyterian and was joyfully welcomed as Parish Pastor in the Fall of 2019. Kate received her BA in journalism from University of Georgia and her Masters of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary. As Parish Pastor, Kate spends much of her time leading Congregational Care and visiting with members, writing thoughtful letters as an expression of concern and/or celebration, organizing meal trains and delivering flowers. In her spare time, Kate is a loving wife and mother of three who loves to run, cook, read, write, laugh with friends and is an avid coffee drinker! |
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Frieda Warner
Director of Christian Education and Children's Ministry frieda@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 108 Frieda Warner has spent the past 25+ years working with generations of children at St. Simons Presbyterian. As Director of Christian Education and Children's Ministry, Frieda oversees all educational programming for the church with a special focus on nursery and elementary age children. Her self described "happy spirit" allows her to meet children and young people where they are, and engage them through creative, age-appropriate learning. |
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Rhonda Hambright
Director of Music Ministry rhonda@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 109 Rhonda began as the full-time Director of Music Ministry at St. Simons Presbyterian in 2008. Rhonda has a passion for working with all those in our church and community who desire to glorify God through song and music. In addition to leading the overall music ministry of the church, Rhonda's work extends into the broader Golden Isles community where she holds leadership positions in several organizations promoting music and the arts for all ages. |
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Nat Scott
Director of Congregational Life nat@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 107 Nat Scott came to St. Simons Presbyterian Church in 2005. As Director of Congregational Life, Nat seeks to foster ministries of care, fellowship, and fun across all ages of the church. He has a particular focus in leading the "Try Something New" ministry for older adults. In addition to being a professional potter by training, Nat enjoys being out in God's creation biking, kayaking, sailing, hiking, and live music festivals. |
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Jeannine Torbert
Director of Finance & Administration jeannine@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 102 After many years spent at home raising three children, Jeannine came to St. Simons Presbyterian in 2015 as our full-time Church Administrator. In addition to managing the church's finances, Jeannine works to ensure that all ministry areas of the congregation are adequately equipped to fulfill their mission. When asked what her favorite thing is about working at SSPC, Jeannine says, "Watching how the members of St. Simons Presbyterian show the love of God not only by their generous financial gifts, but also by stepping out in the community with open arms, ready and willing to assist those in need." |
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Madelynne Risi
BRIDGE Mission Program Director madelynne@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 118 Madelynne Risi helped to launch and grow the BRIDGE Summer Mission Program at St. Simons Presbyterian Church beginning in 2016. A lifelong member of St. Simons Presbyterian, Madelynne is passionate about helping to connect people of all ages with opportunities to serve and learn about God's work in the world. In her free-time you can find Madelynne wrangling her kids -- Charleston and Draper Evans -- or hanging out with her husband, Scott. |
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Ada Owens
Director of Communications ada@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 105 Ada is the conveyor of information for all things SSPC as the Director of Communications. Ada holds a degree in Marketing and a minor in Philosophy from Georgia State University. Before joining the church staff in September 2018, Ada and her husband Graham worked together as owners of CJ’s Pizza in the Village. When Ada is not redesigning the church website, perfecting the bulletin, or designing ads for church events, she enjoys being mom to three awesome boys, tackling small home improvement projects, and hosting friends for dinner. |
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Donna Purdy
Administrative Assistant donna@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 101 Donna Purdy has been a member of the Saint Simons community since 2013. She joined the Saint Simons Presbyterian Staff in 2022, after dedicating years to staying at home to raise her two daughters. As the Administrative Assistant, Donna is eager to greet guests and church members either in person or over the phone. In her spare time, Donna enjoys adventures with her family, loving on her dogs, cooking and baking, and being present in God's beautiful creation. |
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Walter Lynn
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator walter@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 119 Walter Lynn has served as the Facilities Maintenance Coordinator since 2015. In this role, Walter oversees all maintenance and necessary repairs to the church campus. It is not unusual to find Walter around the church at all times of day and night helping to problem-solve, setup, tear down, and generally keep the church running. Walter lives by the ageless words of Flaubert: "Stop whining and do it." |
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Judy Cauley
Director of Preschool judy@sspres.org 912-638-2220 ext. 130 Judy Cauley began working in the St. Simons Presbyterian Preschool in 1993. In her role, she manages a staff of roughly sixteen teachers and oversees the direction of St. Simons Presbyterian's highly respected preschool. Judy's favorite part of her job are the children, the parents, and the awesome staff she gets to work with. |
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Amy Bishop
Organist amy@sspres.org After growing up on St. Simons, Amy Bishop and her family returned to the island to begin serving at St. Simons Presbyterian as the church organist in 2008. Amy and her husband, Art (a retired Methodist pastor) live on St. Simons where they are raising their two grandchildren. |
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Suzanne Morrison
Handbell Director suzanne@sspres.org After serving as the director for a five-octave bell choir in Jacksonville, FL, Suzanne Morrison began leading the handbell choir at St. Simons Presbyterian in 2004 . As a member of both the church and staff, Suzanne has dedicated herself to working in the area of music and worship to help create immersive, God-filled worship at SSPC. |
