Ellen Ashe  -  Secretary

Nathaniel Bell   - Custodian

Nate has been a part of the custodial staff at Wesley since the year 2000.  He also happens to be a wonderful cook.

Wade Bennett - Children's Director

Wade came to Wesley UMC in February of 2009. He moved to Augusta with his wife, Leigh, so that she could attend dental school at MCG.  Before coming to Augusta, they lived in Athens, where Wade interned at the UGA Wesley Foundation.  He graduated from Columbia International University in 2006 with a degree in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. Wade is “pumped” about working with Children’s Ministry and is always up for something wild-n-crazy!

Wade and Leigh both grew up in Macon, Georgia and were high school sweethearts.  They have one dog, a miniature schnauzer named Charleston, who they absolutely love.  Wade also loves cooking, being outdoors, reading, and anything sports related—especially Georgia Tech!  This doesn’t always bode well for him since his wife is a UGA grad and constantly trying to twist his arm into cheering for the dawgs!

His favorite verse is I Timothy 4:12, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Ray Burnette  - Food Services

Ray joined the staff in 2002 as the official chef and Director of Food Services.

Dr. Michele Champion

- Children's Music  Director

Dr. Michele Champion is currently an Assistant Professor of Music in the Department of Music at Augusta State University . Dr. Champion conducts the ASU Glee Club and teaches music education courses, applied voice, class voice and humanities. From 2003-2006 she taught undergraduate music courses and assisted the Women’s Glee at the University of Mississippi where she was a doctoral teaching assistant. Prior to attending the University of Mississippi , Dr. Champion taught Orff Schulwerk elementary music in Jackson, MS, Birmingham, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL . She holds Orff Schulwerk certification from Mississippi College and the University of Memphi.                                 

Michele Champion received her Bachelor of Arts in music and Master of Music from Mississippi College, which is located in her hometown of Clinton, MS . She earned her Doctor of Arts in music from the University of Mississippi , where she studied Kodály and Orff Schulwerk music education and music education research.                                                                                 

Dr. Champion has presented workshops and research throughout the south, as well as having research published in both national and regional music education journals. Her areas of research included folk song analysis, Orff Schulwerk music education, undergraduate music education students attitudes toward teaching elementary/general music and the musical ability of students enrolled in undergraduate music methods courses for non-music majors.

Joanne Cirincione  -Director of Education

Joanne has been a member at Wesley Church since 1998 and became Director of Education in January 2006.  She obtained her Masters in Education from Augusta State University, and holds a Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech.  At Wesley, Joanne coordinates the Adult Sundays Schools, WOW programming, Bible Studies, and Women's Ministries.  Joanne and her husband Larry have three children, Daniel, Laura, and Michael.

"Wesley has been an important part of my family's life.  It is my hope that everyone who enters Wesley's doors can feel the same love and acceptance that I experienced."

Michelle Dodson  - Program Secretary

Michelle joined the Wesley staff in January of 2006.  Before coming to Wesley, she worked for three years at MCG.  She has her Bachelors in Marketing from Augusta State University and is currently working on her Masters in education at Georgia Southern University.

Michelle and her husband Stan attend Wesley and actually met at Wesley on a young adult rafting trip.  In their free time they enjoy going to the beach and watching sports, especially the Braves!

Amanda Ellis - Financial Manager

Mike Feaster  - Recreation Director

Mike Feaster joined the staff at Wesley in February of 2003. Mike And his wife Sharon Eubanks live in the Lynnhurst subdivision of North Augusta.

Mike is a lifelong resident of the C.S.R.A. having graduated from North Augusta High School and Augusta Tech. Mike has worked with the North Augusta Parks and Recreation Department for 17 years. He worked with and developed programming for youth, adults and senior citizens.Mike served 4 years on the South Carolina State Board of Directors of the S.C. Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services. Mike and his wife Sharon are members of Aldersgate UMC in Augusta, having worked as youth counselors for 5 years.

Mike's hobbies include landscaping, golf, fishing, going to NASCAR races, and doing as many things together with his wife Sharon as possible.

Mike would love to hear anyone's ideas on programming for Wesley. This is a wonderful way to reach out to the community and let our friends and neighbors participate in Wesley Ministries and see our love for the Lord.

1st Corinthians 13 is his favorite passage.

Mia Freeman - Secretary

Justin Flynn - Custodian

Curtiss Gibbs  - Youth Director

Curtiss became a part of the Wesley staff in August 2007. Before coming to Wesley, he served as Youth Pastor at Winder First UMC in Winder, Georgia where he was in his fourth year there. Curtiss has also interned at his hometown church in Perry, Georgia and at the UGA Wesley Foundation where he worked with freshmen. Both Curtiss and his wife, Shannon, graduated from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) with a Bachelors of Science in Child and Family Development.

The Gibbs enjoy the outdoors, traveling, sports, and time with family and firends. They also have a passion for missions, as they have been a part of several mission trips within the States and to Mexico, Russia, and Kenya.

"We are very excited to be a part of the Wesley Church Family. We enjoy being in ministry together, and we love getting to know the youth. The next generation is so important, as the youth are beginning to make decisions about the rest of their lives. We hope all of these decisions are for Christ."  

Patty Gilbert - Youth Director

Bob Gillespie  - Associate Pastor

Bob is a retired United Methodist pastor having served churches in the North Georgia Conference for forty three years.  He came to be with us at Wesley in August of 2001, serving as an Associate Pastor.  Bob currently teaching two adult Sunday

School Classes, leads the ALPHA courses, and teaches the Beginning Basic Bible Class.  He assists with the 11:00 AM

Traditional Worship Service, and fills in for either one of the pastors when needed.  He and his wife, Sondra have been married fifty two years, have three grown children, and two grand children.  Bob is a graduate of Georgia Tech and the Candler School of Theology.  He once made a list of "50 Things I Want To Do Before I Die."  Having accomplished all of these, he is now working on a second list.

Mark Haddon -Contemporary Music Director

Mark has been active in Wesley's music ministry since his family joined the church in 1995. As plans came together for introducing contemporary Christian music into the church's worship services, he participated in the praise band on guitar and vocals from the beginning. Mark moved into his current leadership position with the group in 2004 when he joined the Wesley staff on a part-time basis.

Mark enjoys music of all kinds and plays guitar, banjo and mandolin. It is the highlight of his week to play music to God's glory every Sunday morning. Mark and his wife Adelle are proud parents of Mary Catherine and Taylor.

Linda Jolley  - Office Manager

Freddie Jones - Custodian

Freddie has been on the custodial staff since July 2002.

Chris Laskey - Associate Pastor

Chris graduated from Candler School of Theology in May, 2008.  While completing his Masters of Divinity degree, Chris served as the senior pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church in Between, Georgia .  Prior to entering ministry, Chris worked as a Quality Assurance Compliance Assessor and Chemist at a Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical facility in Athens, Georgia .

Chris and his wife Tiersa recently celebrated their 10^th wedding anniversary and they have three sons – Drake, Emerson, and Hollis.  Among other things, the Laskey family enjoys beach vacations, trips to the Georgia Aquarium, and spending time with good friends.

“I love being a pastor and I am very excited about the opportunity to serve God and God’s people at Wesley United Methodist Church !”

Elaine Maxwell - Pianist

Elaine has been playing the piano for Wesley since 1994.

Greg Porterfield   - Senior Pastor

Greg was appointed to Wesley in June of 2004.  He received a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University.  His primary responsibilities include preaching, pastoral care, and leadership of the staff and congregation.  "Wesley Church has enjoyed an exciting ministry in its short history, marked by rapid growth and new buildings.  The identifying characteristic of a congregation however, should never be its buildings or growth.  Rather, the character of a congregation is always expressed in the beliefs and actions of it's members.  I am grateful to express my faith as pastor of Wesley Church."

Mary Carolyn Thigpen  - Evangelism Volunteer

Mary Carolyn Thigpen and her family joined Wesley in 1992 following a move back to Augusta after living away for seven years.  September 1997, she joined the staff as secretary.  As Wesley grew, church leadership felt the need for a contact person for visitors and new members.  Mary Carolyn developed that position early 2000. She holds a Bachelors and a Masters in Education specializing in Reading Diagnosis and Correction from Augusta State University.  For 13 years she taught in area schools.  Winter of 2008, Mary Carolyn received the Certificate in Spiritual Formation through Columbia Presbyterian Seminary in Atlanta.

Mary Carolyn leads a Tuesday Morning Spiritual Formation Group and participates in HOPE Circle.

Lori Van Lenten    - Music Director

Lori Van Lenten's love for music has been growing since childhood.  She began worshipping at Wesley when she moved to Augusta in 2001.  Two years later Lori joined the staff as part time music director until 2005 when she became the full time Director of Music Ministries.  Along with her church work, Lori taught music in a public school for four years, has been Assistant Director of the Augusta Children's Chorale for two years, and enjoys teaching private voice lessons.

Lori has lived all over the United States, but considers home to be Acton, Massachusetts where she attended middle and high school.

She earned a Bachelors Degree in Choral Music Education from Florida State University (Go Noles!) in 2000.  Lori came to Augusta because she wanted to move to a city she had never lived in before, and only knew one person.  Her Uncle and Aunt Bruce and Margaret Ellen, active members of Wesley, were the connection she had to Augusta.  In July of 2004 she married David, and was proud to have the Wesley Celebration Choir sing in her wedding.  David currently works for Merrill Lynch.

Besides singing and teaching music, Lori loves college football.  She loves watching the Seminoles play, but enjoys her weekly trips to Clemson (Dave's alma matter) to watch the Tigers play.  Lori and Dave have two children, Tyler and Sutton.

Pat Williams - Pastor of Missions & Care

Pat joined the staff of Wesley in June of 2000.  Prior to beginning her position at Wesley, she worked for 20 years with a medical oncology practice.  Pat is married to David and they have one son, Ryan.