VARNELL - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Ministry Team
• Pastor

Rev. Chris Branscomb came to Varnell to serve as the pastor in June 2018. He came with his wife Heather, and their two children Emily and Joshua. Chris has been a United Methodist all his life. He grew up in Tucker, GA and was a member of Tucker First UMC until he went into the ministry. He attended Shamrock High School in Decatur, GA and went on to Auburn University, receiving a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering in June 1994. While in college Chris was very active in the Auburn Wesley Foundation, which is the United Methodist Church's campus ministry. After answering his calling into the ministry in 1995, Chris spent a few years serving as a full-time youth minister before returning to school at Emory University where he received a Masters of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology in May 2003. He was first appointed in the North Georgia Conference in 2000 as a Student Pastor, was commissioned as an Probationary Elder in 2004, and ordained as an Elder in Full Connection in 2008. Chris and his family are enjoying serving our God alongside the faithful people of Varnell UMC in this community, in our state, in our nation, and around the world.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Preschool Team
• Teacher

Job Titles:

• Member of the Preschool Team
• Teacher

Job Titles:

• Member of the Ministry Team
• Director of Youth Ministries

Kurt is a graduate from Lee University where he majored in Business Administration with a minor in Religion. During his time at Lee he felt the call to ministry and worked for a church for four years as one of the leaders. Kurt also has a Master's Degree in Specialized Ministries from Southwestern College.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Ministry Team
• Office Administrator

Job Titles:

• Member of the Ministry Team
• Children 's Ministry Coordinator

Job Titles:

• Member of the Preschool Team
• Preschool Director

Sharon Mullins Ewing was born and raised in Dalton, Georgia. She graduated from Northwest High School and Dalton College. She faithfully attended church with her family her whole lifetime. Raised as a Southern Baptist, she and her family began attending Varnell UMC in January of 2010. She quickly learned that it doesn't matter what denomination a church is, it's the people and presence of God that make up a church. She and her family were welcomed into VUMC with open arms and have made it their church home. After working for 22 years as a legal secretary and paralegal, Sharon attempted to retire from the business world in 2005; however, she was convinced to come to work at Praise and Play Preschool in August, 2006, and for the first year taught the 2-year old class. The next year, she moved into the Financial Coordinator position at the Preschool, where she was for the next 5 years. She became the Director in June, 2011. Sharon is the mother of Olivia who attends New Hope Middle School, the mother of Amy who teaches at New Hope Middle School, mother-in-law of Ryan who works with the Varnell Police Department, and the Nana of Bo, age 10 and Gabe, age 4. She enjoys time with her family, travelling, reading, cooking and enjoys a good power nap. She loves Mexican food but does not like chocolate. Sharon believes that children are an integral part of the church. They are the future of the church. Bringing children into church, whether at Preschool or the worship service, gives them a foundation in Christ that will be a part of their lives forever. Sharon is excited about being able to show and share God's love with the preschool children and their families. "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.´ Proverbs 22:6.