Jesup First United Methodist Church
205 E Cherry St, Jesup, GA 31546
Pastors
Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton
Rev. Garth Duke-Barton
Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton is a third generation United Methodist pastor in the South Georgia Annual Conference.
Rebecca beleives that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is able to retore, strengthen, and renew us. She is the primary preacher at Jesup FUMC.
Rebecca attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where she received a Master of Divinity with emphasis in biblical studies. In addition to her degree, she also met her husband, Garth, who was from South Carolina. They married and returned to Georgia, where Rebecca returned to Emory to do Ph.D. work in Old Testament, but left when she became a mother to Daniel, Susannah, and Samuel.
Rebecca taught Old and New Testament at Andrew College, served Recovery UMC in Decatur County, the Calvary Charge in Grady County, and Colquitt UMC in Miller County.
Rebecca believes in the power of God to change lives, that engagement with the scripture leads us to Jesus, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rev. Garth Duke-Barton has been a pastor since 1996. He has served churches all over South Georgia. As Epworth and Jesup FUMC merged in the spring of 2023, Garth has focused on minsitries of discipleship and mission.
Garth's call to ministry came through the Salkehatchie Summer service program in South Carolina. He feels called to serve and bless this world that God so loves. Garth graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he met Rebecca.
Garth has a passion for youth ministry. Prior to seminary he volunteered with youth in South Carolina, then in seminary he was a part-time youth minister in churches in Maryland and Virginia. After seminary and ordination he has served as both pastor and youth minister here in South Georgia.
Youth ministry has changed in many ways over the years but youth are still seeking to be accepted and loved by caring adults who will help them become all that God envisions for them.
He also coaches the throwers on the track team for Wayne County High School.
Music
Choir Director -
Vicki Freeman
Pianist -
Davida Phillips
Handbells -
Amy Blalock
8:55 Song Leader -
Tara Whitteker
Sound -
Damian Blalock
and Sarah Tice
Facebook -
Lonnie Tice
Children's Director
Ann Ray is our children's director. She, along with her husband and four children, have been committed followers of Jesus and community leaders in Jesup.
In addition to working with the children at Jesup First UMC, Ann also teaches at a local elementary school.
