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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5639 ATLANTA
HWY | FLOWERY BRANCH, GA | 770-965-3333 | INFO@SPIRITOFJOYCHURCH.COM