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lead pastor

David is a native of Georgia. He became a follower of Jesus at an early age and was called into ministry at the age of 18. Almost immediately after receiving a call into ministry, God gave David an opportunity to live out this calling as a youth pastor. After serving as a youth pastor for 7 years, he was ordained by the United Methodist church and appointed to Snellville UMC as an associated pastor in 2002. David was the lead pastor of the contemporary service and he led the evangelism ministries. In June of 2006, David started The Vine in Braselton. David is married to Elizabeth, and they have three children: Laney, Brayden, and Carley. David is passionate about connecting with humanity and connecting humanity with God.

cluster group pastor

Frank Decker has a passion for discipleship. He has been involved in foreign missions full time for over 20 years and has been delighted to observe how God is using small groups as the best context for Christian growth around the world.

He and his wife Vicki have served as missionaries in Ghana, West Africa and also in pastoral ministry in Virginia. Frank works with The Mission Society in Norcross, Georgia, enabling ministries in 30 countries. The Deckers have 3 children (Emily - 22, Jake - 18, and Kaitlin - 13).

youth pastor

Gus was born and raised in Georgia and became a Christ follower at a young age. He attended the University of Georgia, where he met his wife Nicole. Two years after they were married, they began working as youth leaders at Snellville UMC. It was during this time that they had two children, Bailey and Briana. Six years later, Gus received a calling into full-time youth ministry where he began a youth outreach ministry called Ignite & Explode at Snellville UMC. This ministry further ignited the passion in Gus’ heart for this generation and has led him to the position of youth pastor at The Vine. He is also currently in a mentoring ministry with 30 other youth pastors from around the world called The Cadre.

worship pastor

Gregg has an extra "g" in his name. There is no real reason you need to know that, but now you know. Gregg has been a worshiper most of his life and has sung as long as he can remember, but not until after he was done with college did he realize leading worship was what God was calling him to do with his life. After serving in a few different churches in a variety of capacities, Gregg decided to move his wife (Cyndi) and son (Brennan) to Colorado to go the New Life School of Worship to get some official training in being a Worship Pastor. And now he has come to The Vine, and he couldn't be more excited about it!
 
Gregg believes God has called him to help others direct their hearts toward God in everything they do. So Gregg keeps that in mind every time he leads songs of worship, or creates a video, or designs a new graphic, or gets coffee with someone from outside or within the church. Gregg looks forward to growing his family in Georgia and being a part of the awesome plan He has for The Vine!

Nursery and Preschool Serve Team Coordinator

Elizabeth is a native of Georgia. Liz’s first passion in life was dance. At a very early age, she began training in all areas of classical dance. When Liz was in 9^th grade, she became a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and used dance as a forum to worship God. Upon enrollment at The University of Georgia, she quickly became the principal ballerina for the UGA Ballet Ensemble. During the summer before her senior year of college, she was offered a contract with Charleston Ballet.

After a year of professional dancing, she returned home to Georgia, graduated from UGA with a degree in Child and Family Development, and was married to David Walters. She used her passion for dance and for Jesus to continue and grow the dance ministry at Snellville UMC while David served as the associate pastor there. She is now passionate about her family of five, and about developing her children and the children of The Vine as fully-committed followers of Jesus Christ.

worship design

Rebecca was blessed to grow up in a very loving, Christian household, and she initiated a personal relationship with Jesus at the age of 8. Rebecca found her passion as a member of a youth worship band at the age of 16, and rekindled that passion after joining the modern worship band at Snellville UMC. It was during that time that she realized the Lord had gifted her intentionally to work for Him by creating creative environments conducive to experiencing God through relevant worship. When she's not at The Vine, Rebecca volunteers with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and enjoys spending time with her family. Rebecca and her husband, Nick, have a 2 daughters: Katelynn, a vivacious 7-year-old, and Tanner, who arrived in June 2007.

hospitality coordinator

Tammie was born in Charleston, SC and raised in the small town of Summerville, SC. She grew up the only child of two loving parents.  Her family believed in God but didn't attend church regularly or have a relationship with Jesus. 

Tammie met her husband Pat and moved from Summerville to Atlanta in October 1991.  Tammie and Pat have three beautiful children.  In December 2002, Tammie began to feel the Holy Spirit call her to attend SUMC which was where her kids went to preschool.  Soon after, Tammie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  During the membership process, Pat and Tammie met David Walters in 2003. Shortly thereafter, Tammie and all three children were baptized together.  The Jarvis' recently moved from Grayson to Flowery Branch to assist David in starting The Vine. 

In the lowcountry of South Carolina, Sunday means food and family. Southern hospitality is a tradition in her family and she learned to cook watching her mother and grandmother.  She is also a firm believer in Paula Deen's theory that everything is better with more butter and cheese.  Don't think you can come over without getting fed; if you've ever been in her home, you know that is true.  Tammie is blessed in that her giftedness in hospitality is also her passion and joy.

financial administrator

A large carnivore, Pat grew up in rural Ohio.  After graduating high school in 1983, he spent the next 7 ½ years in the Navy as a nuclear machinist mate on a ballistic missile submarine.  His last duty station was Charleston, SC where he met his wife, Tammie, who grew up in Summerville, SC.  In 1991, they moved to the Atlanta area to work in the construction and equipment industries.  They began attending SUMC after the birth of their youngest child, Brooke.  Brooke, 4, has 2 older siblings: Brandon, 12, and Taylor, 8.  The Jarvis family met David Walters at SUMC.  Pat's experience in the construction industry and in running a business, coupled with his passion for God's work, should be a good match for administration at The Vine.

Assimilation Coordinator

Kristi has lived inthe Atlanta area her whole life even though her dad was from the Bronx, NY and her mother was an "Army brat."  She was raised in a Christian home growing up but personally asked Jesus into her life at age 13. 

She met her husband Dwayne at Berry College in Rome where he was studying computer programming and playing soccer and she was studying business and journalism and wrote for the campus paper.

After graduation, she worked for several years in the hospitality industry, including Holiday Inn's corporate headquarters, which she then "retired" from to raise their family.  They have two boys, Joshua (11) and Jordan (9).  The rest of their household includes two bunnies and a white dove that makes tons of noise.

Kristi has been homeschooling her boys the last couple of years. Since homeschooling can be quite demanding, she keeps her sanity by playing tennis a couple of days a week in various tennis leagues in Atlanta. Other hobbies include reading, decorating her home, watching HGTV, and biking or hiking with the family.

Kristi has been a vegetarian for almost 20 years now.  She considers Pat Jarvis her arch-nemesis of food since he is the ultimate carnivore. She tries to save more animals than Pat can consume. It is a daunting task.

Kristi met David at Snellville UMC, and after visiting The Vine her family decided to make it their church home.