Church Staff

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.

Angie joined the Tifton FUMC staff in the Fall of 2006. She has been working in full time church ministry since 1991. Angie’s call in Music Ministry has been to build and re-build music programs and worship services in the local churches she has served. Providing a variety of music and music groups, she hopes the message of the music is what draws others closer to the Lord.

While most of her ministry has been in music, she has also held positions as Director of Christian Education, Youth and Children’s Ministries. She is also called to her own Music Ministry of leading worship and music through Revivals, Camp Meetings, Retreats, and Worship Concerts. She has released 5 recording of her own, and in 2017 released her first song titled “Where I Am Now”.

She is a Music Education graduate of Lee University, and although she has been in the Methodist denomination all her life, she has led music and worship in various denominations across Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.

In her spare time she loves spending time at the beach, playing softball, running, reading, travelling, and singing with bands providing music for receptions and special occasions.

Angie began singing at a young age, she grew up on a farm in a Christian home, and has been in church all her life. She answered the call to Church Ministry and to a relationship with the Lord at age 13, and has been singing, playing, or leading music ever since. Her family is very important to her, and she travels to Donalsonville, Ga. every chance she gets to spend time with them.

She is the youngest of 3 siblings, has lots of nieces and nephews, and 2 great nephews. Her parents have been the greatest examples to her of the Christian faith lived out, and she is grateful for the ways God has blessed her family all these years.

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 (8) and Katherine (6). 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.

MaraDare joined the staff in 2005. She is originally from Tifton. She moved to Dahlonega, GA after graduations where she received her B.S from North Georgia College and State University. After graduations, 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 2 girls- Grayson Anne, 11 and Anna Cate, 6. 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.

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 for the past 45 years in various cities and continues to run a private piano studio. As full-time music teacher at Tiftarea Academy, she presently teaches all students pre-K through 5th grade.

Mrs. Rogers has also previously served as Organist and Director of Graded Choirs at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, GA; Music and Youth Director of Ocilla Baptist Church in Ocilla GA; Church Pianist for First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, 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 3 children, George, Mary Alice, and Sara Beth, and six grandchildren.

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 (17), Chandler (8) and Scarlett (3). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading..

TFUMC