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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 four children: Laney, Brayden, Carley, and Cade. 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, and knowing is half the battle.

Gregg has been a worshiper most of his life and has been singing as long as he can remember, but it wasn't until after college he realized God was calling him to lead people in worship with his life. So after serving in a few different churches in a variety of capacities, Gregg decided to move his family from Illinois to Colorado to go the New Life School of Worship to get some official training in being a Worship Pastor. After completing the program Gregg picked up his family and came down south!

Worship is the direction of our hearts toward God. If you spend enough time with Gregg, you'll probably hear him say that. It's kind of his worship mantra. Gregg really just wants people to see it's all the little things, the little decisions, the small choices that slowly move our hearts toward God or away from God.

The Hampton family has expanded since moving to Georgia in the summer of 2007. At first it was just his wife Cyndi, and his first son Brennan Brave, but shortly after putting down roots in Braselton, Liam Noble was born...and getting pregnant seems to be in the water at The Vine, so you never know when another could come along!

Among other things, Gregg leads the worship teams at The Vine, creates many of the videos you can check out here, and designs the graphics. Gregg is also a published songwriter with Integrity Music for "Burning in Me," co-written with Glenn Packiam from New Life Church.

Gregg is always up for a coffee or lunch, so feel free to drop him an email with any questions you have about the music, video, or graphics at the vine.

Outreach Pastor

Jason was raised by a Christian mother, but never developed a relationship with Christ as a child. After many years of seeking to fill his life with things, which do not satisfy, both Jason and his wife Nikki surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus and accepted Salvation from God on their wedding night. Jason’s life changed dramatically and he received a clear call to life ministry. Jason spent the past 10 years serving churches as a Youth Pastor in Mississippi and Georgia, as well as leading retreats and summer camps. Through many opportunities over the past few years, God has birthed a passion in Jason to see people move from observers of faith to fully devoted followers of Christ who Love God through Loving Others. When not spending time with his wife and three children, you can find Jason loving the lost, the last and the least as Jesus talks about in Matthew 25:40.

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 six, and about developing her children and the children of The Vine as fully-committed followers of Jesus Christ.

worship design and production

Rebecca grew up loving church, and initiated a personal relationship with Jesus at the age of 8. She became passionate about worship while in the youth group at Prospect UMC, and rekindled that passion several years later after joining the 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 environments conducive to experiencing God through relevant worship. Rebecca's primary responsibility at The Vine is to coordinate everything that happens in Sunday morning services, including series planning, stage design, technology, lighting, worship center set-up/tear-down, and production volunteers. When she's not at The Vine, Rebecca teaches English at a high school in metro Atlanta, and enjoys spending time with her family. Rebecca and her husband, Nick, have two vivacious daughters, Katelynn and Tanner, and one son, Jaxson, who arrived in June 2009.

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.