First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church
Our Awesome Team
Get to know the TFUMC staff
Rev. Chip Grantham
Senior Pastor
Chip Grantham has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Management from GA Tech, and a Masters of Divinity from Emory University. He’s served on church staff at Ingleside UMC (Macon), Northside UMC (Atlanta), and here as the Associate Minister for Youth and the Associate Minister from 91-97. While he was here, he married his wife Stephanie, and they had their first daughter, Bailey. After leaving us, they went to Montezuma UMC, where they had their second daughter, Marlyn. Then they served the Upatoi and Box Springs Charge, and their last appointment was to Brooklet UMC. Chip has served and serves in numerous District and Conference responsibilities, and has continued his education beyond seminary as a participant in the National Institute in Christian Leadership, the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Catalyst, and the World Methodist Evangelism Institute. He’s certified as a Stephen Ministries Trainer, a Wilderness First Responder, he’s certified in Managing a Rock Site, and in various leadership positions in Boy Scouts. He enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, the outdoors, woodworking, and sports.
Rev. Robby Paulk
Associate Pastor
Dr. Pat Bennett
Director of Music Ministries
Pat joined the staff of Tifton First in July 2019. Pat has a Bachelor's in Music Education from Oral Roberts University, a Master's in Music from the University of South Florida, and a Doctorate in Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute. He and Terry have one son, six grandchildren, and three dogs. Pat also plays French horn with the Florida Worship Choir and Orchestra.
Annie Paulk
Director of Childrens Ministries
Annie has been with us as Director of Children’s Ministries and Christian Education since January 2017. She has a B.S. in Sociology from North Georgia College and State University. Annie has been married to Rev. Robby Paulk for 14 years and they have two children; Austin and Katherine. Annie has a heart for working with children and serving with others to educate, grow faith and make disciples in our next generation. In her spare time she enjoys going on adventures with her family and playing the Flute.
Lauren Fresh
Director of Preschool
Lauren joined our staff in June 2017 after having taught at First Methodist Preschool for 3 years. She grew up in Tifton and in First Methodist. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she taught middle and high school English/Language Arts. Lauren is married to Eddie and they have two boys – James and Will. She loves to read and travel!
MaraDare Day
Director of Recreation
MaraDare joined the staff in 2005. She is originally from Tifton. She moved to Dahlonega, GA after graduation where she received her B.S from North Georgia College and State University. After graduation, she moved to Athens where she completed her Masters in Recreation Administration. After working in Gwinnett County for 2 years, she and her husband Cal moved back to Tifton. They have two girls- Grayson Anne and Anna Cate. MaraDare has worked for day Camps, sports camps and residential camps. She loves that she gets “play for a living”. She enjoys spending time with her family, time at the beach, deep sea fishing or just relaxing in the backyard with friends and family.
Harris Tucker
Director of Media and Television
Started the Television Ministry in 1985. It has developed to include two Sanctuaries with sound, media, and TV.
Earned a BS in Biology in 1973 from Georgia Southern University, a Masters of Education in 1977 from Valdosta State University, and a Specialist of Education in 1989 from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has one son Britt, an ER nurse at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.
Becky Rogers
Organist
Rebecca (Becky) Rogers graduated summa cum laude from Shorter University in Rome, GA, with a Bachelor of Music Degree in piano performance and a minor in organ. While in college, she performed in numerous concerts, including the International Youth Music Festival in Gratz, Austria. She graduated Valedictorian of her high school class and was selected to attend the Governor’s Honors Program at Wesleyan College in piano. In addition, she took first place in piano in the State literary Meet. She has taught piano and has served in church music ministry for the past 45 years in various cities. As full-time music teacher at Tiftarea Academy, she presently teaches all students pre-K through 5th grade. Mrs. Rogers has served as Organist at Tifton FUMC since 2007. In addition, she has shared her musical gifts as Organist and Director of Graded Choirs at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens GA; Church Pianist for First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, GA; Music and Youth Director of Ocilla Baptist Church in Ocilla, GA; Organist and Children’s Choir Director at Arbor Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, GA; and Piano Instructor (private and class) at Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, GA. She is married to Richard Rogers. They have three children, George, Mary Alice, and Sara Beth, and six grandchildren.
Sissy Martin
Church Hostest
Church Hostest
(229) 382-6100
Kendra Gannaway
Pianist
Melanie Raines
Financial Secretary
Debbie Minton
Church Secretary
Debbie Minton joined the staff of FUMC as Church Secretary on March 20, 2017. Before coming to First Methodist, she was the Music Secretary for 5 ½ years for the Minister of Music and Worship at First Baptist Church, Tifton, where she is also a member. Prior to that, she worked at ABAC for over 10 years. She moved to Tifton, with her family, on her 8th birthday and this has been home ever since. She has one son, Brian, who is married to Elizabeth (Jones) and three grandchildren, Taylor, Chandler, and Scarlett. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading.