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Meet Our Staff

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Pastor

Mike Holland

Pastor Mike Holland of Childersburg FMC has been a pastor for 15 years in the United Methodist Church. He graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Business Management and spent 12 years in the restaurant industry being a General Manager and District Manager. After accepting his call from God to become a pastor he went on to receive a bachelors in Religion from Liberty University and Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary. 

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“My passion is to share the word of God with others and use words only when I need to. I think living out the principals that Jesus taught us is a far better way of reaching people for Christ than shouting to or at them.” He also says that , “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. That is what Jesus did and He did it masterfully. I want to be like that.”

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Not only is he a spiritual coach, but he is an actual coach also. After wrestling at some of the highest levels (national and international) for 15 years, he has a wealth of knowledge in the sport. It is that wealth of knowledge and experience he loves to share with the kids he coaches. “It is a blessing to give back to a sport that shaped and molded me into the man I am today. It is even more of a blessing to be a coach who is a pastor also. I have close relationships with the teams and other coaches and that makes it easier to share the love of Christ with them.” he also goes on to say,”That is why I do it, why I coach. It is important for all believers to use their gifts and talents to better the world around them. One of my talents just happens to be the sport of wrestling. It is important to be active in the world around us and be as good of an example for Jesus as we can. We have to be able to say we are not perfect and that is alright because we are forgiven and loved by a wonderful God.” 

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Pastor Mike is a driving force in helping schools develop new programs in the state and running college level summer training camps for wrestlers in the state. In 2023 he will be a part of starting a new program at Childersburg High School where he is also the Chaplin for the football team. “It gives me a chance to work closely with the kids in the community that I am also a pastor in. God has really opened some doors to make this happen and there is a great opportunity to minister and coach.” 

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“My wife Sara, daughter Reagan, and son Gabriel (Bubba) have all fallen in love with this community and we look forward to being here for a while, God willing.”

cburgfirstmethodist@gmail.com  |  Tel: (256) 378-6468

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Secretary

Joni Long

Joni invited Jesus Christ into her heart to be her Lord and Savior when she was eight years old.  She became a member of this church family in 1984.  Terry Long is her husband and he grew up attending this church.  They've been married for forty-six years; they raised their daughter and son here.  Terry and Joni have five grandchildren.  Joni became our church secretary when Billie Ann Reagan retired in 1996.  April 1, 2023 will mark twenty-seven years in this position.  Joni has served as church secretary for nine pastors.

cburgfirstmethodist@gmail.com  |  Tel: (256) 378-6468

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Worship Tech and Youth Leader

Jessica Ward

Jessica has been in Youth Ministry for 5 years. She started up a youth program at Childersburg First Methodist in 2017 after a hiatus of not having any youth in the church. "Youth group was always my favorite part of church when I was in school!" says Jessica. "Being able to worship with people my age was always such a powerful experience for me. I've always had a passion for teaching, so when I was offered the opportunity to step up and lead a group of students I was super excited to begin this new adventure! It is such a rewarding experience working with these students! I am so blessed that God placed me here."

cburgfirstmethodist@gmail.com  |  Tel: (256) 378-6468

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Worship Tech

Tison Pearson

Tison is currently a student at Auburn University, studying Electrical Engineering. He has been volunteering as the Worship Tech at Childersburg First Methodist for over 2 years now. Tison has always had a passion for technology that stemmed from a young age. Tison loves learning new things and enjoys the challenge that updating and adapting technology brings.

cburgfirstmethodist@gmail.com  |  Tel: (256) 378-6468

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Pianist

Janice Payant

Janice loves her family and has always had a passion for playing piano, even from a young age!

cburgfirstmethodist@gmail.com  |  Tel: (256) 378-6468

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Choir Director

Amy Cockrell

Amy Hix Cockrell grew up worshipping at Childersburg First Methodist Church singing in the children and adult choirs. As a child she would stand in the pew and mimic the choir director, much to the chagrin of her mother. After studying music in private lessons and college, she returned again to sing with the church choir. In 2010 she was hired as Worship Leader. She has two married sons and one grandson.

cburgfirstmethodist@gmail.com  |  Tel: (256) 378-6468

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