Bruce Jones 
Senior Pastor

Email: b.jones@southsidemethodist.org

Responsiblities:  I am -- of course -- a preacher.  So my main responsiblitiy is to preach the Word of God.  As well, I am responsible for the leadership of the whole church.  The pastoral care of our members (particularly the homebound) is also very close to my heart.   

Family:  Haley and I have been married for 25 years.  She is a recruiter for the Kerrington Group and works out of an office in our home.  We have two children, Sydney and Spencer, who make our life truly joyful!

Favorite Bible Verse:  Well, I pretty much like 'em all.  But one that pops into my head right now is Psalm 107:1-2: "O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble."  I count myself as one of those whom God has redeemed (and continues to redeem) from a heap of trouble.

Dale Tedder
Minister of Discipleship

Email: d.tedder@southsidemethodist.org

My mission is to love and glorify God by helping folks become all that God has created, redeemed, and called them to be in every sphere and circumstance of their lives. (If you would like to learn more about this mission statement, please click here.)

Responsibilities: My primary areas of ministry at Southside include teaching Bible studies, leading small groups, one-to-one discipling, men's ministry, counseling, mentoring, and helping develop our leadership. (Click here to learn more about our men's ministry.)

Family: I have been married to the incomparable, Suzanne, since 1994. We have four children: Natalie, Dylan, Jake, and Grant.

A favorite Bible verse: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Angie Cosper
Director of Children's Ministries

Email: a.cosper@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Ministry Programs, special events and activities for children birth through 5th grade.

Family: Chip (married since July 4, 1999), Kendall, Christian, Henry.

A favorite Bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11-13 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. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Amy Franks 
Director of Mothers Outreach

Email: a.franks@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities:  Helping women get connected with others at SUMC and encourage them in their walk with the Lord!  Oversee MOPS, Monday Morning Bible Study and other special events.
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-2pm. Need to reach me ASAP? Call my cell anytime at 635-4721.  

Family: Awesome Husband John Franks, and primary job raising my 3 children – Logan, Austin & Peyton

A Favorite Bible Verse:  "Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then" Amy," you will be able to test and approve of what God's will is - His good pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Chris Harrill
Food Service Director

Email: c.harrill@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Plan menus and cooks for regular church functions, Wednesday Dinners, UMW lunches, Joy lunches, Lenten Lunches, and Special Events- Oversees kitchen use by all groups.

Family living in our home now: husband David, Mom Bee, and dog Gasser. Children: three girls all living away from Jacksonville. Mary and Jenny and their families live in the DC area. They have blessed us with a granddaughter and grandson. Jenny is due with second child in January. Carrie is serving in the Peace Corps, teaching English to Middle School Children in Madagascar. All three girls attended SUMC. Youth was most important to the older two, Mary and Jenny. Jenny sang in the choir as a youth and the older members influenced her life greatly. She is now an elementary school music teacher and sings in her church choir. Carrie has written more letters to our Friends Sunday School Class than she has to us.

A favorite Bible Verse: I don't have a "favorite " Bible verse. I think of its stories as a continuum of God's love for us and humankind's relationship to him. One that I think says this which I have written in the front of my Bible is Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

Steve Dickson
Director of Student Ministries

Email: s.dickson@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Leading the Youth of SUMC, and all of Jacksonville, to find, develop, and grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.  

Favorite Bible Verse:   Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

Darren Daily
Director of Traditional Music

Email: d.dailey@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities:  Lead the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir as well as provide support to the children's choirs.

Family: Susanne, Mary, Megan

A Favorite Bible Verse: "Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:2

Gigi Johns
Director of Contemporary Music

Email: g.johns@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities:  The spiritual and professional leader and manager for the contemporary music programs.  Plans, selects, prepares, and directs the music for the Contemporary Worship Service.  Help run and coordinate volunteers for the audio-visual equipment throughout the church.  Participate in weekly worship planning meetings with Pastors.

Family:  husband, Jeff;  children, Sydney, Avery, and Virginia

Favorite Bibile Verse: Always changing!  But currently:  Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Ian Stake
Director of Evangelism

Email: i.stake@southsidemethodist.org 

Responsibilities: Help the community of SUMC live out the Great Commission. Oversee Outreach and Evangelism of the church. Help people get connected into the church so they can grow as disciples.

BJ Strawn
Facilities & Operations Manager

Email: b.strawn@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Upkeep of the overall facilities and grounds. Manage vendor contracts.

Family: Lovely wife, Stephanie, adorable son, Jacob.

A favorite Bible verse: 

Sarah Troup
Director of Communications

Email: s.troup@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Develop and publish communications pieces, update content of website.

Family: Kevin (husband), children: Leah and Kyle

A favorite Bible verse: Ever changing favorite!  Today, I'll go with..  2 Corinthians 3:16-18  "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 

Tyler Williams
Facilities and Maintenance 

Email: t.williams@southsidemethodist.org

Responsibilities: Keeping everything working as it should and facility clean and welcoming.

A Favorite Bible Verse: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."