MEET OUR
STAFF
Senior Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Garen F.
Dodson has served as Senior Pastor of Spirit of Joy since
October 2001. An ordained minister in the Christian Church, he has served pastorates in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi
and Kentucky.
Dr. Dodson received his education from the University of
Southern Mississippi,
Millsaps College, Lexington Theological
Seminary and Emory University.
Upon graduating from Emory University, Dr.
Dodson spent several years on Wall Street as a financial analyst and
investment representative with Merrill Lynch, Paine Webber, Alex
Brown & Sons, and Morgan Stanley. He has held the post of
adjunct professor in National-Louis University, Shorter College, and
Strayer University.
An active mediator certified by the Georgia Supreme Court
Office of Dispute Resolution, Dr. Dodson is a mediator with the Justice
Center of Atlanta,
Gwinnett County Court System, United States Postal Service, Equal
Employment
Opportunity Commission, Alcovy Judicial Circuit of Athens, GA, and the
National
Association of Securities Dealers.
He is the proud father of two sons and an equally proud grandfather
of three adorable granddaughters, all of whom reside in the Atlanta
area.
Email Dr.
Dodson
Children's Pastor
Pastor Tracia Salzer, an ordained pastor in the Disciples, received
her Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas
Christian University.
She was youth pastor at University Christian Church in Boise, Idaho,
and served as co-director of Kids Connection (an after-school program
designed to reach inner-city Mexican-American children) at First
Presbyterian in Fort Worth, Texas.
She is co-founder of the new church start, Journey Christian Church,
in Rathdrum, Idaho, serving there as co-pastor until her move to Flowery
Branch, GA.
Email Tracia Salzer
Food Bank Director
Jessie Massey was one of the founders of the Food
Bank in November 2001 and currently serves as President of the Food Bank
Board of Directors.
Email Jessie
Massey
Music Director
Carol Hanson has served as choir director,
pianist and organist in several churches in the Atlanta area over the
past 15 years. She has been associated with Spirit of Joy since June
2002.
Email Carol
Hanson
Praise Musician/Song Leader
Xavier Gomez is an accomplished musician who
sings and plays lead and bass guitar and keyboard. He has served as
Praise Musician in several churches in the area and now shares his
talent with SOJ.
Email Xavier Gomez
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