our staff


  • Rev. M. Keith Cox

    Pastor

    Pastor Keith received his Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University in Human Services. He was the first recipient of the Papa Jo Hendrix humanitarian award. He received his Masters of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center and Gammon Theological Seminary and was a recipient of the Excellence in Preaching award. He has been serving as Pastor in the United Methodist Church for 24 years and was ordained as Elder in Full Connection in the North GA Conference in 2003.


    Keith and his family also served as missionaries with the Caribbean Christian Center for the Deaf for two years. He served as the President for the Southeastern Jurisdiction Deaf Ministry for the United Methodist church for two terms. Keith has pastored churches in six of the eight districts within the North GA Conference.


    Keith serves the community in different capacities. He is a member on the District Superintendence Committee for the Northeast district of the United Methodist Church, Connection Group Leader for the Pastors and Lay Leaders for Habersham and Rabun County, chair of the committee for the Grace Gate Medical Clinic in Habersham County, volunteer chaplain at the Habersham Medical Center, and participates in the monthly Ecumenical Pastor Prayer Ministry for Habersham County. 


    He and his wife, April, have been married for 25 years. April is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Habersham County. Their daughter, Meagan, is married to Joshua Booker, and they have a 6 month old precious daughter, Elizabeth. Their son, Jordan, will graduated from Habersham Central High School in May, 2021, He is a Freshman at Truett McConnell University.


    keith@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

  • Noah Neidlinger

    YoutH Director


  • Brittany Crabtree

    Children's Director



  • Jennifer boydstun

    Administrative ASSISTANT And Director of Discipleship

    United Methodist Deaconess

    Jennifer has had the blessing of serving her church family since 2005.  She and husband, Blaine, raised sons, Logan and Cooper, in this church and are now loving the grandparent life with two precious grandsons. Although she has a BS in Forest Management, she found her calling to serve God’s kin-dom here at CFUMC. In 2012 Jennifer was commissioned as a UM Deaconess, which is vocational ministry for laity under the authority of The United Methodist Church.


    jennifer@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

    office@clarkesvillefirstumc.org


    Click here to learn more about the Order of Deaconess & Home Missioner

  • Paula gibson

    Director of Music and Worship Arts

    Paula has been a staff member at our church since 2004, assuming her position as Director of Music in 2007.  She is the wife of Jimmy, mother of Andrew, Rachel, and Matthew, and "Nana" to granddaughter, Daria.  Paula taught music in Georgia public schools for 30 years including 18 years as choral director at North Habersham Middle School.


    paula@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

  • Nic and Karli Greenfield

    Contemporary Worship and Media

    Nic and Karli Greenfield, Director of Contemporary Worship Ministries and Media, nic@clareksvillefirstumc.org, karli@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

  • Christy Hinson

    DIRECTOR OF older ADULT MINISTRIES/ COMMUNICATIONS/ EVANGELISM

    Christy Hinson previously spent 18 years as the Communications Director for Johns Creek United Methodist Church. Prior to JCUMC, Christy worked for three major television stations in marketing. She is married to Jeff and has two wonderful children, Stokes (30) and Jonathan(28) and two precious grandchildren, Sophia (6) and Hudson (5). Christy loves to be outside, boating, enjoying yard work and walking. Christy is blessed to be in ministry at Clarkesville First UMC as the Director of Communications, Older Adult Ministries and Evangelism. Christy has served at Clarkesville First for two years and looks forward to many years on staff at CFUMC. Christy attended Southeast Missouri State University with a major in Communications.


    christy@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

  • Sharlene Kaye

    Pianist

    Sharlene is the Executive Administrative Assistant for the Vice President of Academics at Toccoa Falls College where she has worked for 27 years.  She has also been a church pianist for 46 years playing all styles of music, accompanying choirs and chorales, and playing for restaurants, parties and weddings. She has also participated in community theatre as a performer and accompanist.  Her heart’s desire is to draw people to worship Christ each time her fingers touch the piano keys.


    Sharlene and her husband, Tony, have lived in Habersham county for 17 years.  They love cruising, movies, and finding new and different restaurants.

  • Ty Knight

    maintenance & Connection custodial

    Ty Knight, Maintenance and Connection Custodial.  ty@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

  • susan weidner

    cfumc preschool dIRECTOR


    I have a Master's Degree in School Psychology and have  been working with preschoolers & their families for 17 years.  My husband is Jim and we have four wonderful children who are now young adults.  I am blessed by our students everyday and it is a privilege to be able to share Jesus with them.


    preschool@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

  • Maintenance Team

    Ricky West, Main campus