Our Team

CONFERENCE LAY LEADER

Jeff Barker serves as President & CEO of the St. Marys UMC Foundation and a long time member of St. Marys United Methodist Church. He is a 1979 graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. Degree in Pulp and Paper Science and Engineering. Following a 21-year career in the paper industry, Jeff became President of the St. Marys UMC Foundation in 2001. Jeff has served as President of the Camden County Rotary Club, Camden County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair and Chair of the Camden County Joint Development Authority.

Jeff has served in a multitude of positions in his home church as well as serving the UMC South Georgia Annual Conference as District Lay Leader, Laity member of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Chair of Congregational Development, and former delegate to the Southeast Jurisdiction.

CONFERENCE TREASURER (LAITY)

Debbie Hudgins managed a successful career in Corporate Risk Management and Consulting for 35 years as part of a private corporation serving in Executive Management divisions focused on Enterprise Risk and Change Management for large organizations. As a consultant, she worked with Senior Leadership to Organize, Design and Deliver Effective, Strategic Change Management Coaching and Training to achieve specific results.

After retiring, Debbie has spent 25 years volunteering at the Annual Conference Level in South Georgia serving on The Board of Ordained Ministry for 10 years, Chair of the Personnel Committee for 10 years, and 2 years as Lay Leader of the Coastal District serving on the Bishop’s Laity Cabinet.

PRAYER TEAM CHAIR (LAITY)

Bob Shuman is a traditional Christ follower born and raised in South Georgia Methodism with Billy Key as his spiritual mentor. Bob received his education at Johns Hopkins Medical School where he received the Upjohn Award as top graduate, and then did his residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He has practiced Internal Medicine in Dublin for 45 years, most recently as Medical Director of the Joy Medical Clinic providing free care to the working poor. He is also cofounder and Medical Director of WINGS (Women in Need of God’s Shelter), home to the battered women and children of Middle Georgia.

Bob and his wife Susan have been members of Pine Forest UMC for 44 years where they have had the privilege to serve as Administrative Board Chair, Mission Outreach Chair and most recently as Lay Delegate to Annual Conference. He has also served on the Leadership Council of the Wesleyan Covenant Association. Bob and Susan consider as their greatest achievement the fact that all four of their children are committed Christians.

EPISCOPACY CHAIR

Jim Cowart is the lead pastor of Harvest Church that he founded in 2001 with an emphasis on reaching un-churched people.

Jim is a student of leadership, teaching and evangelism. He loves to laugh and teach the bible in fun and creative ways. Under his leadership Harvest has seen over 4,000 first time professions of faith. Jim is also an avid horseman, reader and has written several bible studies and books like “Start This, Stop That”, “The One”, (with his wife Jennifer) and “Leading from Horseback”.

GMC ORGANIZER / FAPB CHAIR

Rev. Jimmy Towson was born in Dublin, Georgia, a lifelong Methodist. After graduating from UGA, he obtained his law degree from Mercer and practiced law for 20 years as a trial attorney, having received the AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating. He entered ministry in 2001 and obtained his M.Div from Emory University. As an Ordained Elder in UMC, he served numerous churches in middle and south Georgia as senior pastor. Currently, he is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church, serving as the Senior Pastor at Park Avenue Church in Valdosta.

Jimmy & his wife, Debbie (also from Dublin) have been married 43 years. They have one son, Jim who is the Executive Pastor at St. Simons Community Church. Jim & his wife, Gina have 3 daughters - Eleanor, Josie & Margot. Jimmy and Debbie love serving Christ together, and believe that God called them both into ministry.

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

Jay Hanson is the founding pastor of The Chapel in Brunswick Georgia. The Chapel has been one of the Top 25 Fastest Growing Large Congregations in the nation for several years. The Chapel has launched numerous people into ministry, as well as launching several new congregations.

Jay is a graduate of Asbury Seminary in Orlando. He is married to Kim who is a fitness instructor and retired teacher. They have two adult children.

Jay believes his primary calling is to help people hear and respond to God’s call on their life and is currently doing this with organizations as well as individuals.  

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

LEGAL COUNSEL