Staff Directory

Staff

George Wright - Senior Pastor

George Wright

Senior Pastor

Wife: Megan

Children: McKenna, Brody, Anna Beth and Everett

Music always on my iPod: Hillsong, Kristian Stanfill, Gungor, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson

Hobbies: Gamecock football, Hunting, fly-fishing, golf, and running.

Random facts about myself: Hit a hole in one, my dog is named after our honeymoon destination

Books I’m currently reading: "Don't Call it a Comeback" - Kevin DeYoung, "Doctrine" - Mark Driscoll

Favorite Restaurants: Nava, Taqueira del Sol, BBQ 1, and Joe T. Garcia’s

Who are your heroes? Jesus Christ, my dad, and my wife, Megan.
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Wally Smith - Executive Pastor

Wally Smith

Executive Pastor

Wife: Blenda

Children: Byron and his wife Allison, and Courtney

What I Do: Oversee Business Operations, Human Resources, Personnel, Special Projects, as well as supporting the Staff in carrying out the Vision of Cedarcrest.

What I Love About My Job: That I get to do lots of different things that are intellectually challenging, but most of all I love the staff that God has brought together at Cedarcrest.

I Can’t Live Without: Tex Mex food, Music (the oldies - late 50’s to mid 70’s, Country & Western), March Madness, College Football (especially LSU - which, in part, explains my lack of hair)

Random Fact: Grew up in, and dearly miss, Texas. Wide variety of work experiences prior to ministry - Bowling alley, Oil Rig, Retail, Check Printer, Natural Gas, owned an Employee Benefits Company

My Favorite Reads: The Bible (God’s love letter to His children by the Author and Perfecter of our faith), Surrender to Love (by Benner), He Loves Me (by Jacobsen), Rumors of Another World (by Yancey).
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Derek Ray - Associate Pastor

Derek Ray

Associate Pastor

Wife: Cynthia

Children: Taylor, Tana and Reagan

What I Do: Pastoral Care, Benevolence, Member Integration, Volunteers. Oversee Students and Children’s Ministry.

Can’t Live Without: Fishing!

Random facts about myself: I’m adopted and I’m half Venezuelan

Books I’m currently reading: The Bible
Derek Ray 678-460-3500
Brent Harrison - Missions Pastor

Brent Harrison

Missions Pastor

What I Do: Help to move missions from a program of the church to an everyday lifestyle of our people

I Can’t Live Without: God, family, good friends, and food and water

Random facts about myself: I went to both Auburn University and the University of Georgia

Books I’m currently reading: The Bible, Let the Nations Be Glad, The God You Can Know, Crazy Love, Radical
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Jonathan Munson - Worship Pastor

Jonathan Munson

Worship Pastor

Wife: Lisa

Children: Grant, Mitchell and Anna

What I Do: Oversee the Worship Ministry

Can’t Live Without: My wife and children, my guitar, UGA football, Braves baseball, times of stillness and prayer, reading and the occasional movie

Random facts about myself: When we were dating, I took my wife to a Japanese steakhouse for dinner and then to a monster-truck rally. It was a very romantic and culturally enriching evening!

Books I’m currently reading: I’ve got three small children so I don’t get to read quite as much as I’d like to during this season of my life…but I’m currently reading Love and War by John and Stasi Eldredge. I’ve recently read In A Pit With a Lion on Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.
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Melanie Gernatt - Children's Director

Melanie Gernatt

Children's Director

Husband: Tom, my husband of 33 years

Children: We have five adult children and eight precious grandchildren

What I Do:I oversee all children’s programming (birth thru fifth grade)

I Can’t Live Without: HGTV, good Italian food and time with my family

Random Fact: I love to travel!

Books I’m currently reading: The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brennan Manning
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Mic Knox - Discipleship Pastor

Mic Knox

Discipleship Pastor

Wife: Adrianne

Children: Micah, Hayden and one on the way!

What I Do: Oversee the Adult Ministry

Can’t Live Without: Jesus (Colossians 1:17)

Random facts about myself: My wife and I have two great danes.

Books I’m currently reading: The Bible, “Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem, “The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name” by Sally Lloyd-Jones…to my kids every night!
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Matthew Hutson - Media Director

Matthew Hutson

Media Director

Wife: Ashley

Children: Jr, Colton, Tinsley and Westin

What I Do: Audio, video, lighting, IT and many other things

I Can’t Live Without: Food, Water, Family and Friends

Random Fact: I built a chopper (motorcycle) from the ground up.

Books I’m currently reading: Bible, Redemption by Mike Wilkerson
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Amy Davis - Communication Coordinator

Amy Davis

Communication Coordinator

Husband: Ben

Children: Caroline and Kate

What I Do: I oversee church communication: graphic design, web design and promotion

I Can’t Live Without: Jesus, my family, music, concerts, Starbucks’ Chai Tea, BBQ, and the lake

Random facts about myself: Country singer Brad Paisley has accused me of being a stalker (restraining order pending). After high school I did an internship program with Sea World San Antonio where I trained and swam with Beluga Whales.

Books I’m currently reading: “A Woman's Heart” by Beth Moore and "Decision Points" by George W. Bush
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Bryan Rheinscheld - Middle School Pastor

Bryan Rheinscheld

Middle School Pastor

What I Do: Oversee the students in grades 6-8

I Can’t Live Without: Being outdoors, shooting, fishing, Alabama football, my guitar and music (acoustic, singer songwriter types).

Random facts about myself: I have watched a baby elephant chase a buffalo in Africa, and I am half Japanese.

Books I’m currently reading: "Descending Into Greatness" by Bill Hybels and The Bible.
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Lisa Downer - Ministry Assistant

Lisa Downer

Ministry Assistant

Husband: Kevin

Children: Dylan Hope, Kayden Grace and Foster Paul

What I do: Assistant to Derek Ray (Community Life Pastor) and Wally Smith (Executive Pastor)

Can’t Live Without: Sports, namely tennis. I’m also very attached to my morning coffee and email. I could live without it if I was stranded on an island, but it would be an adjustment.

Random Fact:Extremely bad speller and I’m terrible at geography. Accidently flew my family to Pittsburgh for a wedding in Philadelphia; I’m no longer allowed to book flights:)

Books I’m Currently Reading: Bible and Ragamuffin Gospel
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Laura McAnnally - Ministry Assistant

Laura McAnnally

Ministry Assistant

Husband: Jay

Children: Erin, Kelsey and Callan

What I Do: Assistant to Melanie Gernatt in the Children’s Ministry

Can’t Live Without: Jesus, my family, and Alabama football!

Random Fact: I am a CPA and was a Tax Manager for a large corporation for 10 years.

Random facts about myself:I won 2nd place in a power lifting contest once,…..a long time ago.

Books I’m currently reading: The Bible and Ragamuffin Gospel
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Troy Gambrell - Student Pastor

Troy Gambrell

Student Pastor

What I do: I oversee the Student Ministry (focusing on 9th through 12th grades)

I Can't Live Without: My Jesus, my beautiful wifey, my loving family, Georgia Bulldogs, Snowboarding, Outdoors, and Angry Birds

Random Facts: I bought Dave Matthews Band tickets from John Mayer; I’m best friends with Kristian Stanfill (and yes…I am a name dropper)

Books I'm Currently Reading: The Bible (study through 1 Corinthians and MacArthur Commentary), Prodigal God by Tim Keller, and Knowing God by J.I. Packer
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Janice Gambrell - Ministry Assistant

Janice Gambrell

Ministry Assistant

What I do: Assistant to George Wright (Senior Pastor) and volunteer with the youth ministry

I can’t live without: Jesus, my amazing hubbie and best friend, T-roy; my crazy friends, my family, laughter and Cheerios!!!

Random Fact: I am STILL scared of the dark

Books I am Currently Reading: the Bible…that’s about it, not a big reader
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Bo Wright - College Intern

Bo Wright

College Intern

What I do: Teach and lead the college community group

I can't live without: The Holy Spirit leading, using me, and driving me to the grace of Christ.

Random Fact: I love playing sports and love the lake.

Currently reading: The Bible, Kings Cross by Tim Keller, The Works of Jonathan Edwards
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Matt Cole

College and Worship Intern

What I do: Work alongside Bo in leading the College Ministry in discipleship and outreach to local college students, as well as work with Jonathan Munson on the worship team and in planning and setting up worship gatherings.

I can't live without: Jesus, drums, guitar, and Mic's accolades

Random Fact: I like the movie P.S. I Love You, not ashamed of it either
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