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lead pastor

David is a native of Georgia. He became afollower of Jesus at an early age and was called into ministry at theage of 18. Almost immediately after receiving a call into ministry, Godgave 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 theUnited Methodist church and appointed to Snellville UMC as anassociated pastor in 2002. David was the lead pastor of thecontemporary service and he led the evangelism ministries. In June of2006, David started The Vine in Braselton. David is married to Elizabeth, and they have four children: Laney, Brayden, Carley, and Cade.David is passionate aboutconnecting 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.

interim worship leader

Jake was born in Ghana, West Africa and lived there with his family until the age of five. He is currently a student at Georgia State University where he studies English – Creative Writing. Jake has been playing guitar since the age of nine, and has been leading worship since the ninth grade. After leading worship at Lifehouse Student Ministries for several years, he was called to The Vine. Jake also leads worship for High Definition Student Ministries 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 10 years serving churches as Youth Pastor in Mississippi and Georgia, as well as leading retreats and summer camps.  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.

Kidzu Children's Pastor

Elizabeth is a native of Georgia, and her first passion in life was 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. Liz was the principal ballerina for the UGA Ballet Ensemble at the University of Georgia, and danced professionally with the 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.

Since the launch of The Vine in 2007, Liz's role has transitioned from Preschool Ministry Coordinator to Children's Pastor for the Kidzu Ministry at The Vine.  Liz's meticulous attention to detail and careful planning has helped Kidzu grow into a thriving ministry where hundreds of children grow in their walks with Christ.  Liz's greatest passions are her family of six, and 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 in a supportive ministry role. 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 sweet baby boy, Jaxson.

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.