FPCThomasville

Stephen Murray, Minister

Dr. Stephen A. Murray is the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville. He received his doctorate from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and his Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He previously served Presbyterian churches in Stillman Valley, Illinois, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ames, Iowa, and Arlington, Texas. Pastor Murray's ministry has been marked by a desire for the renewal and growth of the mainline churches. He is particularly passionate about helping church members share their faith in Jesus Christ, and is the author of an evangelism program called If It Hadn't Been For You. Dr. Murray's other interests include Reformation history, Russian literature, C.S. Lewis, sports, and music.

Rev. Murray is married to Diane. She is a runner and a reader, a baker, a cook, a gardener, a sewer, and loves being outdoors. She enjoys making a home feel like home. She is committed to personal as well as group Bible study. She has taught Sunday School for 3 year olds on up through adults. Diane was born and raised on Staten Island in New York City. She enjoys a good conversation, but preferably over a cup of coffee.

The Murrays have three children. Daniel graduated from Northwestern University Law School in Chicago and is an attorney with Research in Motion in Irving, Texas. Peter played college basketball, graduating from Trinity University in San Antonio, and now works in Houston for McGraw-Hill. Ellen is in graduate school at Georgia Sate University in Atlanta after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington where she majored in English and played for the university women's volleyball team.

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Timothy Scoonover, Associate Pastor

Associate Pastor Timothy Scoonover is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. He was baptized as an infant by his grandfather, a PC(USA) minister, at Second Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. His faith became a personal reality through Confirmation and involvement in the SPC youth group. Throughout high school and college he had opportunities for Christian leadership: playing guitar and singing with the contemporary music team, serving as a Youth Advisory Delegate to the 216th General Assembly, and serving as a Deacon at Second Presbyterian Church. Through these opportunities Timothy began to sense the gentle call of God to ministry. While attending the University of Tennessee, he served as Middle School Youth Director at SPC. After graduation from UT, he married his high school sweetheart, Ashley, and they moved to the North Shore of Boston, Massachusetts so that Timothy could begin his studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Timothy graduated in May of 2009 with a Master of Divinity degree. He was honored as the Walters Scholar for Preaching and the top Mentored Ministry Student in the Phi Alpha Chi honor society. He then accepted the position of Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville.

During the seminary years in Massachusetts, Ashley was a fourth grade teacher at North School Christian School. When she's not teaching, Ashley enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and quilting. Timothy loves being outside, playing tennis, soccer, basketball, and Frisbee. Together they enjoy watching Red Sox baseball, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.

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Susan Hehn, Director of Children's Ministries
Susan Hehn began her position as Director of Children's Ministries in October of 2007. She has been a member of First Presbyterian, Thomasville, since 1985. As a church volunteer, Susan is a member of the Open Window Sunday School class, has served as a Deacon, Moderator of Presbyterian Women, Sunday School teacher of children and adults, Director of Vacation Bible School, Music Director of the preschool for 10 years, and Director of our World Mission Conference with her husband, Rudy. She has also served in the music ministry as a member of the Chancel Choir and adult handbell choir.

Susan is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and relocated with her family to Tallahassee, Florida in 1974. She is a graduate of Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Florida with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She has been married to Dr. Rudy Hehn for 30 years and has 3 (5) children: Jonathan (and wife Kelly), Brian (and fianc�e, Eve) and Jeremy. Susan's interests include music, cooking, being outdoors, and caring for her family.
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Jeanne Thompson, Director of the PreSchool

"Ms. Jeanne" has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since eighth grade. She has always been active in the life of the church. Having served as a Deacon and an Elder, she has worked on numerous committees. She especially enjoys teaching Sunday School and getting to know the children of our church family. After retiring from teaching Middle School for thirty years, "Ms. Jeanne" was very excited to have the opportunity to work with our Preschoolers and our staff at FPC. She loves watching those eager faces light up with smiles as they walk through hallways and into their classrooms. What better way to start your day than to listen to those little voices singing "Jesus Loves Me"?

Jeanne and her husband, John, have been married for 25 years. John is a third generation farmer here in Thomas County. They have 3 adult children: Becky, Waye, and Mat. Their grandchildren, Madelyn (8) and Colt (4 months) keep them smiling and feeling young. Enjoying the outdoors and getting together with family and close friends and two of Jeanne's favorite pastimes.

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Kevin Fenton, Director of Music
Dr. Kevin Fenton joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church in January of 2001. He has directed youth and adult church choirs for eighteen years in Kansas, Florida, and Georgia. In addition to his ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Kevin is a Professor in the College of Music at Florida State University, where he teaches courses in sacred choral literature, choral conducting, and directs the Florida State University Singers. Kevin has been active in the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and served on the planning committee of the 2006 music and worship conference at Montreat.

Kevin and his wife Suzanne grew up in Topeka, Kansas and have two elementary aged children: Andrew and Emily. Kevin's interests include college sports, outdoor activities and . . . music.

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Richard R. Carlson, Organist

Richard Carlson is a native of Fennville, Michigan, where he graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1972. While in high school, he pursued the formal study of the organ at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He later enrolled at Hope College and graduated in 1976 with the degree Bachelor of Music summa cum laude in Organ Performance. In 1977, he was awarded the degree Master of Music in Organ and Church Music from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Mr. Carlson is currently a member of the national music honor society Pi Kappa Lambda, the Royal School of Church Music, the American Guild of Organists, and a trustee of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation. He has served Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches in Michigan, Illinois and Georgia. When he is not practicing music, he enjoys his home, his cats, and the study of French language and culture.

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Debra Rogers, Office Manager
Debra has been with First Presbyterian Church for 29 years. She is the daughter of church member, Ken Lanter. Debra and her husband Dannie enjoy riding both their Harley motorcycles and their horses whenever they can. Debra has ridden horses since she was nine years old, still trains her own horses, and competes in rodeos.

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Carol H. Hinson, Treasurer
Carol is a native of Ocala, Florida, and attended Florida State University. She is a graduate of Thomas College with an AA degree in Accounting. She is currently employed as Business Manager for Glen Arven Country Club. In addition to her duties as Church Treasurer, Carol is a member of the Chancel Choir and the adult handbell choir. She teaches the Independent Bible Sunday School class, is a circle Bible leader, and directs the Youth Handbell choir. Carol and her husband Byron, have three children, Jeff (and Michelle) Hinson of Stuart, Florida, Brad (and Bree) Hinson and Karen (and Sonny) Forehand of Thomasville. They have five grandchildren, Billy Roberts, Eric Hinson, Hunter Moore, Graci Hinson and Henry Forehand.

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Jimmy Mitchell, Church Sexton
Jimmy is a native of Thomasville. He was a member of the Thomasville High School State Champion football teams in 1973 & 1974. Jimmy is married to Jennifer and enjoys his family of children Erica, Jami, and Raphael.

Jimmy is a member of the Thomas County Sports Hall of Fame. He enjoys coaching youth sports and jogging, and has been on the staff at First Presbyterian Church since 1997.

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