ASHFORD MEMORIAL
METHODIST CHURCH​
STAFF
Pastor
Reverend Robert Greene
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Reverend Greene is originally from Macon where he grew up attending Vineville United Methodist Church. Robert graduated from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia in 1997. After four years in the corporate world, Robert clearly sensed the Lord calling him into ministry. In 2001, he entered the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Soon after making the decision to attend seminary, Robert met the former Kate Booth of Athens at a Bible study in Atlanta. They married in 2002 and have joyfully served in The United Methodist Church since then. Robert and Kate have three children: William, Lauren, and Caroline.
A lifelong Methodist, Robert has served multiple appointments in the South Georgia Conference. Robert is currently serving in his fifteenth year as a Senior Pastor.
Robert also answered the call from the Lord in 2011 to serve in the military as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve. He continues to serve as a Chaplain augmenting active duty personnel currently at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. In his spare time Robert enjoys traveling, golfing, playing guitar, and reading.
Director of Music Ministries
Daniel Shafer
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Daniel is currently pursuing his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting at the University of Georgia. Before his move to Athens, Daniel completed his M.M. in Choral Conducting at the University of Missouri - Columbia where he was the Director of Music at First Christian Church of Columbia, Missouri. Daniel also served as Music Director at Gray Memorial United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, FL while completing his B.M.E at Florida State University. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Daniel became the Director of Choirs at Westminster Christian School in Miami, FL. During his tenure at Westminster, he led choral tours to London, Hawaii, Grand Cayman Islands, Walt Disney World, and Nashville. As a singer, Daniel has performed in productions of A Little Night Music, Don Giovanni, and Le portrait de Manon. He has also been a featured soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Festival Singers of Florida, and Alarm Will Sound in performance with Meredith Monk.
Director of Youth Ministries
Ellie Wooten
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Ellie is originally from Cochran, GA. She and her husband, Nathaniel, got married in October 2021. Ellie has a B.S. Ed., M. Ed. and Ed. S from the University of Georgia in education. Ellie currently teaches first grade in Jackson County. Her favorite bible verse is Luke 1:45, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”
Children's Ministry Co-Director
Katie Ryan
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Katie Ryan is originally from Atlanta, GA. Katie met her husband, David, at Wake Forest University, and they have three boys, Jack, Will and Matt. The Ryans moved to Athens 11 years ago for David’s Orthopedic practice, and joined Ashford in January of 2022. Currently, Katie’s favorite scripture is Galatians 6:9 “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Children's Ministry Co-Director
Crystal Cannon
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Crystal Cannon is originally from Valdosta, GA. Crystal is married to Bryce and they have 3 children (Waylon Grace, Paxton & a sweet baby due in February). She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with certifications in Gifted Education and ESOL Education from Georgia Gwinnett College. She joined Ashford in January 2022. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 118:24- “Today is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Church Office Manager
Amanda Kirk
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Amanda is a graduate from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Amanda and her husband Robby are parents to a daughter Mary Jackson, a junior at Wofford College and a son Will, who will be an incoming freshman at UGA in the fall 2024.
Pianist
Tony Wall​
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Tony Wall is originally from Winder, Ga. His wife, Denise, was born and raised here in Oconee County. They have 3 grown children (Erin, Russell and Patrick) and 6 grandchildren. Tony began playing piano in church as a teenager and has intermittently his entire adult life. He is retired from a 43-year career in healthcare (FNP) and came to Ashford Memorial in January of 2022.
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Nursery Workers
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Rose Rickett
Mabel Jackson
Lauren McCormack
Jesslyn Phillips