Rector
Jay Thomas serves as rector and pastor of St. Mark’s Anglican Church. Originally from the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jay has degrees from Nashotah House Theological Seminary and the US Naval Academy.
In addition, to his service at St. Mark's, Jay is a Chaplain in the US Navy Reserves and previously served as the Honorary Canon Theologian for the Anglican Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy. Before his calling to the priesthood, he was a Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear) in the US Navy.
Jay is married to Emelie (also a former Navy Nuke). Emelie is the Level 2 CGS Catechist at St. Mark's; and she and Jay can often be found either hiking and camping with their five homeschooled kids or reading good books together as a family.
Fr. Jay's homilies can be accessed on his Substack.
Deacon
Billy Houston serves as the Deacon of St. Mark's Anglican Church. A lifelong resident of Moultrie, Billy has an extensive clinical background as a Nurse Practitioner and Paramedic specializing in emergency medicine. He is dedicated to the dual vocation of healing the body and soul and by bridging his medical expertise with his theological training Billy provides a unique perspective on spiritual well-being and ministerial care.
Billy continues to serve as a medical practitioner throughout South Georgia; additionally, holding a Doctorate in Nursing Practice, he is a Lecturer of Nursing at Valdosta State University. He is currently a student at Nashotah House Theological Seminary pursuing a Masters in Ministry.
Billy is married to Caitlin (St. Mark's Custodial Sexton) who home schools their four children. Billy's nerdy hobbies are boundless, but of particular note is his dedication to ham radio (W1WDH) and playing bagpipes with Fr. Jay
Choir Master
Brandt Sims serves as the Choir Master at St. Mark’s Anglican Church. Although originally from Bloomington, Indiana, Brandt has spent most of his life in Moultrie. Brandt has a degree in Choral Music from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University.
Brandt has worked in music education at middle and elementary schools throughout Georgia for over two decades. He currently is the music teacher at R.B. Wright Elementary School in Moultrie.
Brandt is married to Alicia and is the father to three upstanding sons; they are all diehard Arsenal FC fans.
Children's Minister
Taylor O’Neal serves as the Children's Minister and Level 1 CGS Catechist at St. Mark’s, where she has the joy of guiding young children in their early formation in the Christian faith. Her work is deeply shaped by her background in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Montessori, fostering a thoughtful and reverent approach to the spiritual life of the child. She is passionate about cultivating an environment where children encounter the beauty of Scripture, liturgy, and the love of Christ.
A native of Moultrie, Taylor has also lived in Minneapolis and spent time teaching abroad in Indonesia before returning home to invest in her family, local church and community.
Taylor is married to David, a special education teacher, and together they are raising their two sons with a shared commitment to faith, learning, and service.
Organist
Ken Collier serves as the Organist at St. Mark’s Anglican Church. A Moultrie native, Ken has served in the music ministry at St. Mark's (originally St. John's Episcopal) for over 40 years. He served for 19 years as both organist and choir master and has served solely as the organist for the past 22 years.
Ken has a degree in Music from the University of Montevallo, and has been an instrumental contributor to the Moultrie music and arts scene throughout his entire life. He continues to accompany the various choirs and shows with the Colquitt County School System as well as serving as the Organist at Trinity Baptist Church in Moultrie.
Facilities Sexton
Joe Abreu serves as the Facilities Sexton at St. Mark’s Anglican Church. A native of Portugal, Joe immigrated to the United States through the U.S. Navy. He served during the Vietnam War aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59). Joe has extensive experience in facility management having served as a government contractor managing all facilities at Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA and serving as the Operations and Facilities Officer at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
Joe is married to Annette, a South Georgia native, and they became members at St. Mark's many years ago because of the way they were received and loved as members of the family.
Custodial Sexton
Caitlin Houston serves as the Custodial Sexton at St. Mark’s Anglican Church. A native of Florida, Caitlin moved to Georgia to attend college and nursing school. Caitlin served for 15 years as an emergency room nurse - developing a passion for a spotless clean environment in the midst of the chaos. Caitlin left the ER in order to home school her four children and dedicate herself to more important things like sewing beautiful vestments and soaking up the South Georgia heat.
Caitlin is married to Deacon Billy (they met in an Emergency Room) and is a dedicated introvert.
Bishop
As an Anglican Church, our senior pastor is the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the South.
The Most Reverend Doctor Foley Beach is the Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church in North America (www.anglicanchurch.net). He also serves as the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the South (www.adots.org) headquartered in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Georgia State University, the University of the South, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Archbishop Beach has ministered with Young Life, the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church in North America, and was the Founding Rector of Holy Cross Anglican Church in Loganville, GA. His A Word from the Lord radio ministry can be heard on radio stations in the U.S. and around the world on the Internet. His daily, One-Minute Message, can be received by email (sign up at www.awordfromthelord.org). He and his wife, Allison, reside in the Atlanta area and they have two adult children.
Contact
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