FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LAGRANGE - Key Persons
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. The LaGrange native is a Certified Church Administrator and is married to Esther. They have three children-Will, Matt, and Elizabeth-and a golden lab named Sugar.
Andy enjoys cars and is working on restoring a 1964 Chevy C10 truck that he's owned since he was 14. He also loves traveling and playing cards. He's played the drums since sixth grade, we have high hopes he will bring his drums out of hiding and return to playing a set every now and then.
Job Titles:
- CUSTODIAN
- 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
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. Though our church staff says he seems to be everywhere at once, our church family may not see him very often; on the weekends he can be found worshiping at Mount Beulah Baptist Church, where he's attended since 1999.
Originally from LaFayette, Alabama, Eddie moved to Canton, Georgia, when he was 18 years old to work as a meter reader for Atlanta Gas Light for the next 18 years. He then worked for nine years at Western Electric (now AT&T) making rotary phones, which required an ability to assemble hundreds of wires together inside the device.
When faced with having to move to Texas to continue working with Western Electric, Eddie decided to move back closer to his hometown. He landed in LaGrange and worked at the Langdale Cotton Mill in Lanett, Alabama, for nine years, followed by Ropak Corp. for four years.
Eddie has seven children, and he also has two dogs, Max and Shep.
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.
Job Titles:
- Certified Health Instructor for Living Waters for the World
- CHILDREN's MINISTER
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. Her greatest passion is teaching children: "My greatest privilege is teaching them about the God who loves them, created them, and redeems them, and my greatest joy is learning from them."
Born and raised in New Jersey, Jeanne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from Rider University and continued there for master-level classes. Among other leadership positions at Rider, she served as vice president of the student body and served on the President's Advisory Council.
Her first teaching position was at Princeton Day School, a private college preparatory school in Princeton, New Jersey. After her husband transferred to a new position in Atlanta, she served for 10 years as the Director of the Redeemer School for Young Children. She also volunteered as its Children's Pastor, and when the program grew too large for a volunteer position, she became the full-time Children's Pastor.
Jeanne and her husband moved in 2009 for his job to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she became the Director of Reading and Research for The Dunham School, the leading independent Christian college preparatory school in Baton Rouge serving students in grades PK3-12.
Jeanne is a certified health instructor for Living Waters for the World and has completed more than a dozen mission trips in five countries. She's even had the opportunity to help deliver a baby in Naerigu, Africa!
Jeanne and Al live on a 30-acre farm and stay busy tending to their cows, chickens, and honeybees as well as their huge vegetable garden. They have three children-Lindsay, Ryan, and Matthew-four grandchildren, and six grand-dogs. She is one of six children, and her parents and siblings all live in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She loves playing tennis, reading, eating delicious food, watching SEC football (Geaux, Tigers!) and spending time with friends and family.
Nursery Assistant Jeradean Collins has worked in our nursery for the past 28 years.
Job Titles:
- NURSERY ASSISTANT
- Nursery Assistant Maxine Ogletree Has Worked in Our Nursery for the past 25 Years
Maxine Ogletree has worked in our nursery for the past 25 years. The mother of two enjoys cooking, gardening, HGTV, playing cards, and bingo.
Nursery Assistant Maxine Ogletree has worked in our nursery for the past 25 years.
Rev. Dr. G. Thomas 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 (and he enjoys discussing basketball).
He has a passion for inspiring others to deepen their faith and embrace the love of God and neighbor throughout their spiritual journeys. Throughout his ministry, he has witnessed the church's greatest effectiveness when worshippers actively engage and are motivated to serve others.
He and his wife Leslie are parents to three children and two dogs. When not immersed in church activities, Thomas tries his utmost to outplay Leslie in tennis.
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.
In 2013, while studying as an undergraduate, Rev. Jatin Gill came to know Jesus, which led to his calling to the ministry at the age of 18. After completing his engineering studies in India, he pursued further education in the USA, attending Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Graduating in the spring of 2021, Jatin's fervent dedication to theology and pastoral care was evident throughout his academic journey, culminating in the completion of his final thesis.
During this period, Jatin was offered the role of lead pastor at a small faith community in Rome, Georgia, which he embraced eagerly. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to serving the congregation of West Rome United Methodist Church for two and a half years. In 2022, Jatin married Dapinder Kaur in Fort Worth, TX. They joyfully welcomed their son, Samuel Rehmat Gill, in August 2023.
Jatin's commitment to spiritual growth and community outreach leaves a lasting impression on everyone he encounters.
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.
Job Titles:
- FACILITIES MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR
- LaGrange First Methodist 's Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
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. While at Berry, he met LaGrange native and LaGrange First Methodist member Alicia Blackwell, and the two moved to her hometown after they married in 2010.
Scott worked in several positions while he was a student at Berry, including a dairy farm hand, archivist, and the Chaplain's office manager. After moving to LaGrange, Scott began working at Kia Motors Manufacturing. He also has served as a department supervisor at Home Depot, a crew chief at Blackwell's Inc. (an industrial cleaning service), and a traffic/office manager at Eagle 102.3 radio station. Scott's education and love for history, coupled with his work experience and supervisory roles, make him the ideal person to care for our church's buildings and grounds while also serving on our technical team for our livestreamed worship services. Scott and Alicia have a son, Harold, and the family also includes their dog, Suzie Q. Scott enjoys time with his family, be it playing board games, computer games, airsoft, or going hiking.
Besides being a history buff, Scott loves to learn new things, whether it be games, equipment, or skills. He can be found working on his hobbies of woodworking, reading, cooking, and then eating.
Job Titles:
- Communications - Membership Director
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. Sharon moved to LaGrange from Savannah in 2021 with her husband, Shawn, their two sons, and two dogs - Blue and Bentley.
In her free time, Sharon enjoys gardening, thrifting for vintage treasures, and spending quality time with her family. She also loves photography, so you will often see her wandering around church services and events behind a lens looking for that perfect shot.
Suzi Goldston, our Director of Missions and Hospitality, joined LaGrange First United Methodist Church in January 2024. A resident of LaGrange since 1986, Suzi attended West Georgia College and previously served as Food Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church. She was drawn to LFUMC by the positive attitude, teamwork, and love for God she witnessed, and she's enthusiastic about the opportunities the church provides to serve the community.
Suzi and her husband Bobby, who also helps out with Meals On Wheels and the Soup Kitchen, have a daughter Jamie living in Ft. Worth, TX. Their household includes two dogs, one a stray and the other named Captain.
Suzi loves experimenting with new recipes, often using her co-workers as willing taste-testers. With her warm personality, love for service, and culinary creativity, Suzi is a wonderful addition to our church family, embodying our hospitality and community outreach mission.