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 recently graduated from Northwestern University Law School in Chicago and is an attorney in Atlanta. Peter played college basketball, graduating from Trinity University in San Antonio, and now works in Houston. Ellen is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington where she majors in English and plays for the university women's volleyball team.

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Daniel Smoak, Associate Minister

Rev. Daniel Smoak joined the First Presbyterian Church staff in 2000. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Daniel and his wife Amy are natives of South Carolina, and have two children, Andrew and Lauren.

In addition to his responsibilities with the ministry of Word and Sacrament, Rev. Smoak provides leadership for our Diaconate, Global Mission, Adult Education, and Youth Ministry. He has been to Ethiopia mission field, and taken the FPC Youth on mission trips to Ticul, Mexico. His ministry interests include Reformed worship and preaching, and the theology of Karl Barth.

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Keith Hill, Parish Associate

Rev. Keith Hill is a Georgian by birth. He graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina and Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. His pastorates have stretched from Kentucky to Florida. Keith officially retired in 1989. Later that year he moved to Thomasville and assumed his position as Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church. He is married to Janet and is the father of two daughters; one living in Tallahassee and the other is Louisville, Kentucky. He has a granddaughter in Tallahassee.

Keith enjoys his work with the "very sick and very sinful," but never tells them which they are. He is an avid fisherman, but most of all loves serving Jesus Christ.

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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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