OUR LEADERSHIP

Senior Pastor

Originally from Roswell, GA, Morgan attended the University of Georgia where he met his wife, Lauren. After college, Morgan and Lauren lived and served at churches in Colorado for 6 years, first in Fort Collins and then in Denver. While in Denver, Morgan completed his Masters of Divinity at Denver Seminary in Littleton, CO. In 2016 Morgan and Lauren returned to Athens to help plant Good Shepherd where Morgan served as assistant pastor and then associate pastor. By the grace of God, Morgan was called as the senior pastor of GSPC in February of 2021. Morgan and Lauren have three daughters: Lucy, Alice, and Esme.

Email Morgan

Elder & Pastoral Intern

Ryan currently serves as the Pastoral Intern at Good Shepherd and is working towards his MDiv from RTS Atlanta. He oversees Community Groups, Adult Education, and Liturgy Formation at the church. He and his wife, Mallory, have four wonderful but rowdy boys (Ollie, Wilder, Davy, and George). Aside from spending time with family, he enjoys traveling, live music, a good landscape project, mountain biking, and quality time with friends.

Email Ryan

Elder

A native Athenian, Chris did not grow up in the church, but God used friendships and the ministry of Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) to convert him with the Gospel of Jesus Christ while attending Vanderbilt University. Chris met his wife Deborah through Vanderbilt RUF, and after graduation they married and soon moved to Athens, Georgia for Chris to attend pharmacy school and to help plant Redeemer Presbyterian Church with their former Vanderbilt RUF Campus Minister, Hal Farnsworth. After almost 20 years serving as a deacon at Redeemer, they were asked to help with the Redeemer church plant here at Good Shepherd. Chris and Deborah have two children, Sarah Elisabeth and Christopher, and live, work and attend church in the Normaltown neighborhood.

Email Chris

Elder

Mike Hodges has been a member of Good Shepherd since the formation of the church plant core group in 2015. He was elected and ordained as a ruling elder for the church during the church’s particularization in 2019. In addition to serving the church, Mike works as the Vice President of Public Safety for Piedmont Healthcare. He is married to his beautiful wife, Katherine and together they have three wonderful children, James, Emma, and Mary Lauren.

Email Mike

Elder

Dr. David French is a veterinarian that has spent his career serving the poultry industry throughout the Southeast. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a DVM degree in 1984 and a post-doc Masters of Avian Medicine in 1985. While the French family has lived in several states over the years, Athens, Georgia has always been considered home. Dr. French and his wife Lyn returned home to Athens, Ga in January of 2020 to finish his career on faculty at the University of Georgia and to be close to his two children and six grandchildren. In moving back to Athens, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church became their new home. The French family was drawn to Good Shepherd because they wanted to be part of a church plant, to experience the joy of seeing what God can do when people come together for the purpose of sharing the exciting truth of the Gospel, and loving the community in which they are placed.

Email David

Elder

Chris and his wife Catherine moved to Athens in 2018 so he could take a position as the Executive Director of Downtown Ministries, a local nonprofit organization that invests in the kids in our community. They have been a part of Good Shepherd since they moved, and Good Shepherd has quickly grown to be a very dear place to both of them. Through new friendships, community groups, and women’s and men’s ministries, Good Shepherd has helped continue to grow their relationship with Christ. Chris is excited about the future for GSPC as we work together to be Rooted in the gospel, Reflect the kingdom, and Reach our city. As an elder, he looks forward to continuing to grow in his own relationship with Christ and working with the other leaders in the church to help the rest of our church grow to know him better, too.

Email Chris

Elder

Sam, along with his wife Olivia and kids Ezra and Jane, started attending Good Shepherd in 2023. He loves building all sorts of things. In his copious free time he enjoys exercising with weights and sometimes running, though not so much anymore (if you know, you know).

Email Sam

Elder

Rob and his wife Lindsey are long time Athenians and have been at Good Shepherd since 2023 along with their 4 children and large Great Dane mix, Hank (Hank is not a communing member though). They are excited for all that God is doing in Athens through Good Shepherd and have a strong desire for the church be a place where people can question, struggle, thrive, and grow in grace.

Email Rob

Deacon

Tim grew up in Atlanta and Norcross, Ga. He married his high school sweetheart Amy. Tim graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Marketing. Tim has spent his career as a small business owner, and working in John Deere dealerships. Amy and Tim have two daughters Hannah (35) and Caroline (33). Tim loves to learn about gardening and real estate. He also loves people, and getting to know their stories.

Deacon

Chet is the Facilities Manager at Redeemer and he and his wife Savannah live in Nicholson. He loves to be outside and play pickleball.

Email Chet

Deacon

Alex has attended Good Shepherd since 2022. He graduated from UGA in 2021 and works in PR and marketing. Alex is an avid sports fan and loves cheering on the Dawgs. He is married to his beautiful wife, Elizabeth and enjoys brewing coffee in new ways, watching movies and spending time with friends.

Email Alex

Deacon

Brett, his wife Heidi, and their five children became a part of Good Shepherd in 2022. You will likely find him with good coffee in his hand or out running around Athens. His proudest titles in life are husband and dad.

Email Brett

Deacon

John has been living in the Athens area for over fifty years. He’s been attending Good Shepherd since 2023. He’s retired and loves to walk and get out in nature. He’s got four grandchildren he adores and loves helping others and serving his Savior Jesus Christ.

Email John

Deacon

Glen and his wife Peggy moved to Athens from Lilburn GA in 2019 and soon after began attending Good Shepherd church. The energy of a church membership populated by college students and young families, as well as the clarity of the gospel message confirmed that this was to be the church home. Glen has worked as a Registered Dietitian and Physical Therapist assistant, and enjoys running and cycling for recreation.

Email Glen

Deacon

This is Cameron, and he is 37 years old. Cameron loves his wife, Kayla, their three boys, strong coffee, smoked meat, overly ambitious cooking projects, and turning complicated problems into color-coded spreadsheets. He spent 13 years involved with Young Life and has been a member of Good Shepherd with his family since 2019. Cameron does not love unprompted hugs, being asked too many questions at once, stickers stuck to the bottom of his shoe, or meetings that could have been emails. He works in technology and project leadership and enjoys helping people when life feels confusing, heavy, or simply inconvenient. As a deacon, Cameron hopes to serve by showing up, solving practical problems, listening well, and making sure no one has to carry a burden alone.

Email Cameron

Deacon (on Sabbatical)

Joe grew up in Norcross, GA before attending UGA for undergrad. At UGA, he became involved with RUF and interned with our sister church, Redeemer, before attending seminary in Philadelphia. Joe currently serves on the diaconate at Good Shepherd and has volunteered with Redeemer’s youth ministry programs for 7 years. He’s looking forward to the opportunity to see the youth ministry program at work in the lives of families at Good Shepherd. Joe works in tech and enjoys traveling, time with friends, and attempting to keep his yard from turning into an overgrown jungle.

Email Joe

Deacon (on Sabbatical)

Lane Chasteen has been a dedicated member of Good Shepherd since its inception as a church plant from Redeemer, contributing actively to the men's ministry, the security team, and community groups. An Athens native, Lane enjoys spending his days with his beautiful "Viking warrior" wife, Janet, and their seven children: Jay, Aubrey, David, Elijah, Clairanna, Joshua, and Samuel.

Professionally, Lane works in IT as a software engineer, embracing his inner nerd with enthusiasm. Lane cherishes the time spent with fellow congregants and values Good Shepherd's strong sense of community.

Email Lane

Women’s Care Team Member

Katherine Hodges has been a member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church since helping plant the church as part of the core group in late 2015. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, she moved to Athens in 2009 and was previously a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Katherine and her husband, Mike, have been married since 2010 and are raising their three children, James, Emma, and Mary Lauren. She has served Good Shepherd in a variety of staff roles, most recently as Director of Operations, and now serves as Chair of the Women’s Care Team. Outside of church, Katherine enjoys spending time outdoors, especially backpacking and hiking, and has recently discovered a love for tennis.

Email Katherine

Women’s Care Team Member

Lindsey and her husband Rob, along with their 4 kids (Lionel, Mae, Freddie and Pearl), have been at Good Shepherd since 2023. She spends a lot of her time helping at her kids’ awesome school, driving the kids to their various activities, and working as a Nurse. Lindsey has lived in Athens for over 20 years and is also a big baseball fan (go Braves and diamond dawgs)!

Email Lindsey

Lyn and her husband, David, have attended Good Shepherd since December, 2019. She enjoys spending time with her family, which includes six grandchildren. When not enjoying family and friends, she can be found roaming mountains or gaining sweat equity with hot yoga.

Email Lynn

Mallory is married to Ryan, and together they wrangle five kids: Ollie, Wilder, Davy, Georgie, and Scottie Kate. Their family has been at Good Shepherd since day one, when the church was planted out of Redeemer in 2015. She works as a Labor & Delivery nurse and loves people, adventure, and any excuse for a good outing (though she’s learning that “rest” is also a spiritual discipline). Mallory is honored to serve on the Women’s Care Team and grateful to be part of this community in the best town around. Go Dawgs!

Email Mallory

Women’s Care Team Member

Email Amy

Women’s Care Team

Email Marnie

Spiritual Formation Team Co-Leader

Josh is a physical therapist who lives in Athens with his beautiful wife, Anna, and their first born, Lyon. He has a desire for the people of Good Shepherd to know and seek the Lord, and is excited to serve the men of the church through prayer, discipleship, and ministry to reach that end. Josh hopes to see the church seek the lost and serve the needy in and around the city of Athens.

Email Josh

Spiritual Formation Team Co-Leader

In Athens since the early 90s, Jen graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in sociology and married John the following year. Together they have three beloved sons and are thrilled to gain a daughter soon as their oldest son marries. Jen has enjoyed homeschooling her boys for much of their education and is in the homestretch with their youngest. She loves adventures with her family (from camping to road trips to visiting national parks), pursuing further education through CCEF and various conferences, and deep, Christ-centered conversation with friends. 

Raised in a Christian home and discipled by faithful churches throughout her life, Jen has a deep longing for women to grow in their love for God as they grow in biblical truth so they might shine forth his light in their families, friendships and communities. It has been her joy to serve in women’s ministry in the local church through teaching and speaking over the past 20 years.

Email Jen

Youth Ministry Intern

Lolo is from Woodstock, GA and moved to Athens in 2021 to attend the University of Georgia.  She ended up falling in love with Athens and married a local named Jack so she could stay. In her free time, she enjoys pretending she’s a comedian, making music, reading almost anything, spending time with friends, and sharing her opinion (hopefully solicited). On a separate note, she thinks youth ministry is the best kind.

Email Lolo

Children’s Ministry Director

Chloe Willis is from Acworth, GA and moved to Athens in 2021 to pursue her education at UGA where she met her amazing husband, Noah Willis. She graduated in 2024 with a master's in social work and has a passion for working with children. Good Shepherd has made such an impact in Chloe's life since moving to Athens and she cannot wait to continue ministering and serving the families of GSPC. Chloe enjoys running her small floral business on the side, hanging out with friends, and eating ice cream.

Email Chloe

Outreach Team Leader

Holli is a native of Mississippi who studied marketing and psychology at the University of MS. After college, she worked in retail, owning her own candy and ice cream store on the Oxford square for 10 years! In 2018 Holli's family moved to Athens and in 2021 they became members of Good Shepherd. Holli enjoys family time (especially cooking & game nights), getting to know others, and exploring new places. One piece of scripture that has been meaningful to her is Hebrews 10:24; Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works.

Email Holli

Communty Group Coordinators

Ryan and Mallory got married in 2011 and have been in Athens ever since. Ryan is currently working towards his MDiv and serves as the pastoral intern at Good Shepherd. Mallory works as a labor and delivery nurse at Piedmont. They have four wonderful boys: Ollie, Wilder, Davy, and George. They have been actively involved in Community Group ministry for the past 14 years—leading, hosting, attending, and overseeing. It is their joy to see the body of Christ connected to one another through God’s Word, week in and week out. If you are interested in community groups, we would love to get you connected!

Email Ryan & Mallory