Staff
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Rev. Daryl Brown
Senior Pastor
Daryl Brown has been in church ministry for 30 years and was appointed as Senior Pastor in June of 2019. He is a graduate of Taylor County High School, Columbus College, and Candler School of Theology of Emory University.
Daryl is married to Jane Brown, and together they have two happily married daughters, a son and a grandson.
Daryl enjoys outdoor life, hunting, fishing, golfing, music, spending time with family and friends, watching movies, and watching sports.
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: pastordaryl@fmcamericus.org
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Sylvia Roland
Church Hostess
I began serving as church hostess in January of 2015. I love entertaining and visiting with people, so this job suits my personality perfectly. I am a retired educator, having taught during my career in Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia. I serve on the Board of Education of Sumter County Schools; I am President of the Americus Kiwanis Club; I am a member of the board of Books for Sumter Children; and I play tennis recreationally. In addition, I sing with the Americus Voices at FMC Americus as well as serve as a handbell soloist. I grew up in Arkansas and lived there until shortly before I met my husband, Donnie. He is the reason I live in Americus. I have a BA in English from Hendrix College, a liberal arts Methodist-affiliated college in Conway, Arkansas. I also have an MSE and EdS in educational administration and leadership from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I have two children, Sara Hoke DeStefano and Joseph Hoke; I also have three grandchildren. They live in Arkansas.
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: sylvia@fmcamericus.org
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Sam Morris
Director of Worship Arts
I am a servant of the Lord, and a music lover. I am privileged to work with such amazing men and women of faith here at FMC.
I grew up in the Commerce-Athens area for the first 28 years of my life. I have a BA in music performance from Emmanuel College (Franklin Springs, GA), and an MA in music performance from Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA). Before moving to Americus, I served at Indian Creek Baptist Church as minister of music for approximately 3 & ½ years.
I am married to the most amazing and beautiful woman of God. Her name is Rebecca. Together, we grow in faith and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have a passion for ministry through music and service, and we are excited to learn about what God has in store for us in the Body of Christ!
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: smorris@fmcamericus.org
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casey pitts
Director of BRIGHT BEGINNINGS
Hello! My name is Casey Pitts. I am so excited to be able to serve as Bright Beginnings Preschool Director. I was born and raised in Americus, GA and currently reside in Ellaville, GA. I have been married to my husband, Cody Pitts since 2016. We have a beautiful little girl named Presley, who is two years old. I am a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Americus and have attended there my entire life. I graduated high school from Schley County and received my Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from South Georgia Technical College. I then began my career at Sumter County Primary School as their Pre-K Resource Coordinator for the past 6 years. I am blessed God has allowed me to have this wonderful opportunity here at Bright Beginnings.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: casey@fmcamericus.org
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Johnny Updike
MINISTER OF OUTREACH AND STUDENTS
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ga. I attended Columbus High School (1990) and Columbus State University. I Joined St. Mark UMC in 8th grade and was a committed member of the youth group. It was here, under my youth pastors, Terry Kelley and Mike Wilson, that I learned the foundation for youth ministry. It was also here that I met my future wife, Stephanie, in the youth group. We loved and cherish our time at St. Mark, the passion for ministry that was created, the relationships that were formed, the growth we experienced and the beginnings of our family. Our first 2 children, John, March 27, 1999 and Freddie, May 7, 2001, were born while we served at St. Mark. We also have a daughter, Adalyn, born November 5, 2012.
I have been involved with student ministry for over 20 years. This is my 10th year serving as Youth pastor at First Methodist Church of Americus. I served here from 2003-2010 and again from 2017 until the present. Other places I served as youth pastor are St.Mark UMC in Columbus from 1997-2001 and as the student intern at St. Mark from 1992-1997. I have also served as the Campus Minister at The Wesley Foundation @ Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus from 2010-2013 and again from 2018 until the present.
I have always loved working with students. Student ministry is where I am called to served. It is where my gifts and strengths are and where God has used me the most. My experience with students helps in so many ways when dealing with the challenges that todays student face daily. I still have a strong passion for this ministry and love guiding them and helping them grow in their spiritual walk. Our students have grown over the last 2 years and our ministry here grown numerically as well. We have “good fruit” and I look forward with great anticipation and expectation for our growth to continue!
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: johnny@fmcamericus.org
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Doug Gatian
Church Administrator
After graduating from Americus High School, I moved to Atlanta and attended Georgia State University where I earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice. I worked for the State of Georgia as an officer and special agent. Rosalind and I moved back to Americus after the birth of our first child. While working as a health care administrator I earned a M.S. in Administration from Ga. Southwestern College. I enjoy photography, pen & ink, scuba diving and family travel with Rosalind, our children and grandchildren.
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: doug@fmcamericus.org
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Elaine Smith
Finance Secretary
I was born in Vidalia, Georgia and graduated from Vidalia High School. After moving to Americus, I received my BS Degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University in 1980. Americus First became my church home in 1984 when my son, Steven, was baptised here. After working many years in the accounting field, I felt led to leave the corporate world and was blessed to become the Finance Secretary of FMC in 2012.
Scrapbooking, traveling and most of all, spending time with my family are my favorite spare-time activities.
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: elaine@fmcamericus.org
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Alwen Yeung
Pianist
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: alwen@fmcamericus.org
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stephanie updike
Contact Information:
Phone: 229-924-3169
Email: stephanie@fmcamericus.org