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Pastors Darris Baker Senior Pastor
Darris was born in an Air Force base hospital in Amarillo, Texas. After his father’s tour of duty ended, the family of three moved back to their native College Park, Georgia. Through the Fulton County School system, Darris began to play the violin in the fourth grade. He played throughout high school and received added musical instruction at the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program and the Brevard Music Center. He has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Columbus State University, and taught public school music for a few years. Called into ministry, he entered and earned the Master of Arts in Religious Education degree (emphasis, youth ministry) at Southwestern Theological Seminary. After 22 years of serving as a youth minister, he entered the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and earned the Master of Theological Studies and the Master of Divinity degrees. He is an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. His father is deceased, his mom lives in Senoia, Georgia, and his only sibling, a younger brother, lives in Newnan, Georgia. Darris enjoys playing racquetball and going fishing - but only if the fish are biting! Dotti was born in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and lived there until she entered the University of Mobile. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. She has served as an accompanist for numerous vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles, and as director and accompanist for church and community choirs. She enjoys working outside with flowers and loving on her only grandson, Caden. She is the youngest of three girls. An older sister lives in Woodstock, Georgia with her husband and children. The middle sister never married, and lives and teaches school (Special Education) in Berea, Kentucky. Dotti's mother and father recently moved to an assisted-living facility in their hometown of Richmond, Kentucky. Son Chris (27), and daughter Amanda (21), live and work in Hiawassee, Georgia. Dotti and Darris have one "perfect" grandson, Caden, age 20 months.
Michael S. Broome (Mike)
Associate Pastor
Mike is a graduate of Clayton State College and University in Morrow, GA. He holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from Clayton and a Master of Divinity from Emory’s Candler School of Theology. He is currently a Provisional Elder of the United Methodist Church of the North Georgia Conference and will seek ordination as a full elder in 2012. Mike began ministry over 20 years ago, focusing on youth and missions. Currently he serves as our Associate Pastor and has primary responsibility for ministry to young adults, missions and Intentional Faith Development and small groups. He also assists with Sunday morning worship, pastoral counseling and visits to our sick and homebound and can be found preaching every 6-8 weeks and often is called upon to speak at conferences and preach in other churches. He has a passion for seeing lives radically changed through becoming disciples of Christ and loves watching Christians stepping out in faith as they serve others and Jesus Christ. Mike has 3 sons, Jacob (8) Eli (7), and Asher (2) who all attend our McDonough Methodist Academy. Mike’s shares through living an example of Christ and through his favorite Bible verse…Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Currently, Mike serves in several leadership positions at the local, district and conference levels including: The Clayton College and State University Wesley Foundation Board of Directors, The Griffin District UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers In Mission) Representative for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, with the Board of Directors for The State YMCA of Georgia and with the Board of Directors of Know His Heart Ministries (a transitional ministry for men moving out of incarceration). He has also represented the church in developing and leading several community and district mission initiatives including River of Life Youth Mission Initiatives; Many Hearts, Many Hands McDonough, H3 Ministries, and has participated on and led mission trips locally and internationally to South Georgia, Mississippi, Colorado, Honduras, Guatemala, Pakistan and Peru. In his free time (yes, he does take free time), Mike enjoys spending time with his boys, coaching any sport team they play on, doing any outdoor activity, reading and travel (both for missions and for pleasure). |
