Jeff
Wright, our minister of youth and children, is a
graduate of Shorter College and Mercer University’s
McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta where he
earned a master of divinity. His interests
and gifts for ministry include a witty way with
youth, a love of children, spiritual formation,
alternative ways to worship and discover God, and
music via guitar. He also brings the ability
to manage sound and visual systems that enhance the
worship and web experience for emerging
generations. Jeff is available for one-on-one
counseling in spiritual direction. He joined
our staff in 2002. His wife, Jorie, is a
third grade teacher at Cartersville
Elementary. They have a bright-eyed son,
Will, and a beautiful daughter, Jocelyn.
Debbie
Guyton skillfully manages our church office,
publications and communications for our entire
church family. She has three and half decades
of experience with skills far greater than using a
computer and running office equipment. A
native of Bartow county, Debbie joined our church
staff when Heritage was born in 1987 as its very
first employee. She shares her life with her
husband, Marvin. Their son, Craig, lives in
Euharlee with his family, and their daughter,
Janet, married to Henry, lives in Cleveland,
Ohio. Debbie has two grandchildren, Bailey
and Griffin. You can see their pictures on
her desk any day of the week.
Rusty
Gunter, our minister of music, is a music
performance graduate of Kennesaw State
University. Besides his ability to play piano
and guitar, he is blessed with a tenor voice
through which he honors God and with which he
enhances the worship experience for us all.
He is a gifted conductor, leading our sanctuary
choir, handbell choir and youth ensemble. He is
also the webmaster for the church's website. His
wife, Erin, a soprano, is the choral director at
Cobb County's Harrison High School. Erin also
leads the senior summer music theater camp program
for Cartersville’s Grand Theater. They have a
beautiful daughter, Jillian.
Susan
Tumlin, our minister of congregational life, is a
graduate of the University of Georgia. Though
only part-time, she provides leadership for our
educational and recreational activities at
Heritage, which means she wears many hats and wears
them all well. A long-time member of our
church, Susan grew up a very active member of
Shallowford Presbyterian Church (USA) in Atlanta,
bringing us a wealth of knowledge and good
experience from that tradition. In 1999, she
led us in our change from traditional Sunday school
for children to a “rotation” model of learning that
is far more active and engaging. She shares
her life with her husband, Lewis, son Hank, who
attends The University of Georgia, and daughter
Bonnie, who attends Cartersville High School.
Susan joined our staff in 2004.
Jo Ann
Branton, our coordinator of small groups, is
another part-time staff member. She graduated from
Tift College with a double major in English and
journalism and earned her Master of Education from
West Georgia College (now State University of West
Georgia.) After teaching high school English for 25
years, Jo Ann now uses her gifts of teaching and
encouragement to promote small groups and other
Christian education opportunities at Heritage. She
also lays down a solid bass guitar line as part of
the early service music team. She and her husband,
Eddie, have been married over 25 years; they enjoy
spending time with their nieces, Shiana and
Emily.