Meet the Staff of the Georgia-Cumberland Academy Seventh-day Adventist Church



Pastor Don Keele Jr is the Senior Pastor of the Georgia-Cumberland Academy Church.  He is married to Sandy and they have two adult children, Andrea and Donnie III. Donnie III recently expanded the family when he married his college sweetheart Rachel Hopkins. 

In his past life, Pastor Don was a private pilot, (got married, had kids and ran out of money), a water-ski instructor teaching all levels from beginning through bare-footing,  a speed-skier, having done 92 mph on a single waterski, and a dirt bike rider.  He still enjoys computers, great sound systems, four-wheel drive vehicles and the roads they were made to go on.  Additionally, he will hop on a jet-ski or four-wheeler any chance he gets. Recently he purchased and enjoys riding a 2003 Suzuki Intruder.   He  also enjoys traveling to new and distant places. 

Pastor Don  has been involved in youth ministry for almost 30 years and has been here at the GCA Church since the fall of 1999.  He well remembers that dark and foreboding Y2K New Year's Eve.  He went to bed early, figuring that if the world was still there when he got up, he would deal with it then.  It was.  He did.  They are both here to this day.

Don has spoken for numerous Campmeetings, Week of Prayers, Bible Conferences, Youth Rally's and Youth Leadership Conventions, both around the United States and internationally.  He graduated from  Thunderbird Adventist Academy, near Scottsdale, AZ and also holds Bachelor Degrees in Communications: Mass Media (Radio, Television and Film) and Religion from Southern Missionary College.


Since 2002, Greg Hudson has served as Associate Pastor for the GCA church and Chaplain for Georiga-Cumberland Academy.  Greg loves Jesus ... and he loves to hang out with his two children, Peyton and Brandon, who both attend Coble Elementary School.
 
In his spare time, Greg enjoys activities that range from reading and fantasy football to sports (both playing and watching), cycling, and triathlons (he has completed four).  He considers himself a connoisseur of fine foods (especially burritos) ... and will never turn down a bowl of ice cream.
 
Greg attended GCA, and is a graduate of Ozark Adventist Academy.  He holds an AS in Nursing, a BA in Theology from Southern College, and an M. Div from Andrews University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Chaplains

Austin ColeAustin Cole is from Maryville (pronounced "Murr-a-vul"), Tennessee and has his degree in Theology from Southern Adventist University as of 2011.  Joining the GCA church as an Assistant Chaplain was the fulfillment of his long-time dream and passion for working with today's youth. Austin is passionate about helping students tackle tough issues and defends their deep knowledge and care for what's going on in the world today. 

When he's not helping a student, Austin enjoys long-boarding, sitting in the sun, going on long drives and landscaping.  

Austin's favorite music: Country, Bluegrass

Something about Austin you would never guess: He likes chick flicks 

Bible character Austin would like to have dinner with and why? "The Apostle Paul."  "He has to be the most negative, angry, yet awesomely bold person!" 

 

 

Angela McPherson

Angela McPherson joins the GCA church family as an Assistant Chaplain after graduating from Southern Adventist University in 2011 with a degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in writing and editing.  Originally from Monrovia, Indiana - Angela's quest for God led her to GCA church after pastoring a small church of her own at a young age and attending college.  Angela's desire to work with the students is motivated by the opportunity to be real spiritually and student's willingness to call things out as they really are. 

 

Angela loves reading as she tries to read a book every week.  Next to that, her passion is writing and is currently working on a book of inspiration.  She's a rock climber and enjoys Oldies music from the 50's and 60's. 

Angela's favorite book:  Donald Miller's "Searching for God Know's What"

Something about Angela you would never guess:  She's performed a funeral

Bible Character Angela would like to have dinner with and why? "King David." "I'd like to know how it goes from being a shepherd one day to being picked to be a man after God's own heart."  

 

Office Manager                                                                  

 Dianna Bush  Office Manager Dianna Bush is often the first voice you will  hear when you call the GCA Church.  She enjoys answering the phone and talking with church members.  She also loves working with the young people.

 When she was in high school, she attended Forest Lake Academy near Orlando, Florida and later went on to work for many years as a dental assistant.  That was before she became a full-time mother of 3.  Since that time, she has dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home mom until she joined the GCA Church Staff in the fall of 2005.

Dianna loves scrapbooking, crocheting, and computer games.  Besides her work as the office manager and student work coordinator for the church, Dianna is also co-chair, along with her husband, Doug, of the church Social Committee as well as a member of the greeter team.