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.
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.
Lesley Maxwell Mann, a native of Atlanta, GA, is currently enrolled in the PhD program at Florida State University, seeking a Doctorate of Choral Conducting and Music Education. Most recently, Lesley held the post of Assistant Professor at the College of Central Florida, where she directed the vocal music programs, including Applied Voice lessons, directing the Concert Choir and Musical Theatre Ensemble, as well as Ear Training classes. Previously, Lesley was Director of Choral Activities at William R. Boone High School in Orlando, FL. Additionally, Ms. Mann sings and is a frequent soloist with the Festival Singers of Florida, and served as the Creative Director for their Broadway Revue, The Three Stephens.
Lesley is an active performer in a wide variety of styles, and has enjoyed performing in Finding Nemo: the Musical at Disney's Animal Kingdom. She has also produced a jazz Christmas album, and was a featured soloist on the Garnet and Gold Christmas Album.
Lesley is an active member of the Florida Vocal Association, Florida Music Educators Association, and the American Choral Directors Association. She is also a sought-after clinician and adjudicator. She holds the Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Choral Music Education from Florida State University.
Lesley is married to Jason Mann, and has two wonderful children, Cooper age 4, and Chloe age 1. She is to happy to be part of the First Presbyterian Church family
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 HopeCollege in Holland, Michigan.He later enrolled at HopeCollege 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 NorthwesternUniversity 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.
Debra Rogers, Office Manager Debra has been with First Presbyterian Church since June 1977.She is the daughter of church member, Ken Lanter and granddaughter of the late Elizabeth Lanter.Debra is married to Dannie Rogers, and has one step-daughter, Vanessa Lawrence, of Athens, GA., husband Joe, and three grandchildren, Miles, Charlie & Ben. She and her husband Dannie enjoy riding both their Harley motorcycles and their horses whenever they can.
Carol H. Hinson, Treasurer Carol is a native of Ocala, Florida, and attended FloridaStateUniversity. She is a graduate of ThomasCollege 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.
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.
