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Rev. Rachel Rhodes
Senior Pastor [email protected] 912-638-2220 ext. 120 Rachel Achtemeier Rhodes has served as the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at SSPC since September of 2024. Prior to her time at SSPC, Rachel served for over seven years as the Senior Pastor at Morrisville Presbyterian Church in Morrisville, PA, and for six years as the Associate Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield in Haddonfield, NJ. Rachel earned her Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ, and did her undergraduate work at Hope College in Holland, MI. Rachel is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree at Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC, and expects to graduate from that program in the Spring of 2026. Rachel is a native of North Carolina, though spent most of her formative years in Dubuque, Iowa. Rachel is married to Matt, who grew up in Little Rock, AR, and is also a Presbyterian minister. The two met during their time at Princeton Theological Seminary. Matt currently serves as an ACPE Certified Educator, and as a Senior Chaplain Educator, roles that he will continue to serve in on a remote basis. Rachel and Matt have two children, MJ and Ben, and a faithful dog, Penny. In her free time, Rachel enjoys anything that brings her joy! This could be as simple as a cup of coffee on the porch or as big as a travel adventure somewhere altogether new! Rachel loves photography, music, a good book at the beach, staying active (especially outside!), trying new restaurants, a good glass of wine, and enjoying as much time as possible with dear friends and family. |
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Rev. Jim Jackson
Associate Pastor [email protected] 912-638-2220 ext 106 Jim grew up near Tampa, graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1959, and became committed to Jesus Christ, feeling called to be a pastor. After moving to north Florida, he attended junior college, now Florida Baptist University, and earned a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He began his pastoral journey at twenty, initially as a Southern Baptist and later converting to Presbyterian at fifty due to the SBC's shift in the seventies. Jim's pastoral skills include preaching, teaching, and counseling, serving churches in South Carolina, Texas, and Richmond Hill, Georgia. Jim and his wife, Linda, have two grown children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. They moved to Brunswick from Spartanburg to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law, who are active in Saint Simons Presbyterian. Their son resides in Charlotte, NC. |
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Pastor Laurie Bentley
Parish Associate for Visitation Office Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday [email protected] 912-638-2220 ext. 120 A native of Augusta, Laurie graduated from Agnes Scott College (about a mile from the Presbyterian Seminary in Decatur, GA) and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (in Columbia, SC) and was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She served congregations in Thunderbolt and Savannah, GA; Roseville, MN; Reading and Gouglersville, PA; Dothan, AL; St. Simons Island (interim at Lord of Life Lutheran); and Brunswick (St. James Lutheran, until her retirement in 2017). She also served one-year chaplaincies at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta and at Hospice Savannah. Laurie is the proud mother of Sarah (in FL) and Christopher (in WI), and grandmother to four very special grandchildren – Nash, Grayson, River, and Lilly. Her ministry and life experience have given her a heart for people in transition and grief. She believes that God’s best work shows through when we are absolutely not in control (though we’d like to be!). “God loves to surprise us with options we can’t see. Some of my best thinking and praying happens when I’m not trying to figure it out … when I’m walking on the beach … or reading … or singing … or enjoying lunch with a friend. The answers we seek can’t be hurried. They come in their own time.” |
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Frieda Warner
Director of Christian Education and Children's Ministry [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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
Director of Missions and BRIDGE Program [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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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Eliza Ours
Director of Youth [email protected] 912-638-2220 Eliza considers one of her biggest blessings as being a member of SSPC her entire life! Her baptism, confirmation and even her marriage have all been at SSPC. As she grew up in the church, her favorite memories are camps, mission trips and building relationships with the other members. Although she has been an intern and worked part-time in various ministries of the church, she is thrilled to now be on staff and share her faith and love for Jesus with the youth. Eliza enjoys gardening, baking/cooking and spending time with her husband, Luke, and her family (she is the daughter of CE/Children's Ministry Director, Frieda Warner). |
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Donna Purdy
Administrative Assistant [email protected] 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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David Keen
Facilities Director [email protected] 912-638-2220 David Keen, a native of Brunswick, graduated from Brunswick High School in 1971. Following his high school graduation, he served in the military and attended Southern Technical Institute in Marietta, where he earned his degree. For over 33 years, David worked in engineering and construction in the Atlanta metropolitan area. He then transitioned to a building consultant for insurance companies for the remainder of his career. David now resides on Saint Simons with his wife, Karen, of 34 years. They have a daughter, Joanna, residing in Santa Fe, NM, and David has a son, David Jr., from his first marriage, who lives in Cartersville, GA, with his wife Courtney and their daughters, Gracie and Caroline. David is actively involved in the community, having served in various volunteer capacities over the years, including as a scout leader, baseball coach, and youth leader at his church in Atlanta. |
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Ashley Biletzskov
Director of Preschool [email protected] 912-638-2220 ext. 130 Ashley graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2011 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She's have taught at the preschool for the past ten years, but her roots are much deeper. Ashley and her husband both attended Presbyterian Preschool as children. They now have three children; 2 have graduated from SSPC preschool and are now in elementary school, and their youngest is currently attending the church preschool. As a member of St. Simons Presbyterian Church, Ashley loves seeing our preschool families join our congregation. |
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Amy Bishop
Organist [email protected] 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 lives on St. Simons with her granddaughters, Ami and Mackenzie. |
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Suzanne Morrison
Handbell Director [email protected] 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. |
