Hopewell Church of Milledgeville

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Get to Know Us

What We Believe

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
As a Global Methodist Church, we embrace Wesleyan theology, proclaim salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and seek to live out a life of holiness empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The mission of Hopewell Church is to share hope through the good news of Jesus Christ.
We dedicate ourselves to Christian service through example and outreach.

 The Global Methodist Church is filled with warm-hearted, Jesus loving, and Holy Spirit inspired people. We are grounded in Scripture and the life giving confessions of the Christian faith found in the Apostles’ and the Nicene Creeds.

Our Leadership Team

David Perry

Pastor

Pastor David Perry

After graduating from Wilkinson County High School, David Perry earned his BA degree in Psychology/Philosophy from Asbury University. He is an alumnus of Asbury Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he studied Theology. He earned a Doctorate degree from Rockwell University (which later merged with another university).

Reverend Perry was born again at the age of 16, and the first church he pastored was during his undergraduate years at Asbury University. He and his wife, Autumn Creeks Perry, RN, first lived in a motor home while doing full-time evangelism. He then served as College and Career Minister in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Later, David felt a call from God to be a witness for Christ in the marketplace. As he worked in the business setting, he continued to preach and pastor wherever he was called to serve.

Both David and Autumn served the Lord in foreign missions during their 54 years of marriage. Autumn’s primary calling is in Nepal and Uganda, where she has served Christ for over 20 years.

Twenty years ago, when the Perrys moved to Milledgeville, they attended Hopewell Church for several years, and he preached there occasionally as pulpit supply.

 

Becky Cooper

Pianist

Pianist Becky Cooper

Becky Cooper is a lifelong resident of Milledgeville, Georgia. She graduated from Georgia Military College High School and earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration (with majors in Accounting and Management) and her Master of Business Administration from Georgia College. She is currently employed at a local bank.

Becky has been part of Hopewell United Methodist Church since, as she says, “before she was born.” She grew up attending Sunday School and UMYF and has been a member of the Adult I Sunday School class since her college years—sharing that class with her parents and even her grandparents.

Her love of music began early. Becky received her first piano at age eight and began lessons just two days later, continuing through high school. She also played the clarinet from fifth grade through graduation.

Becky has faithfully served Hopewell through music for many years. She was the church’s pianist from 1995 to 1998 and later accompanied worship services and choirs. In May 2017, she became interim pianist and officially assumed the role in October 2017.

A few special notes about Becky: her great-great-grandfather, Constantine Banner Anderson, was one of Hopewell’s founding ministers, and she maintained a remarkable 29-year perfect Sunday School attendance record—from age eight until the Sunday before her marriage to her husband, Anthony.

Jan Anderson

Choir Director

Choir Director Jan Anderson

Jan Marie Anderson was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and moved to New Port Richey, Florida, at the age of 10. She began her college education at Pasco-Hernando Community College before transferring to Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. After several years in the classroom, she continued her education and received a Master’s degree in Education from Georgia College & State University, along with Gifted and Reading Endorsements.

In 1991, Jan moved to Milledgeville, Georgia, to begin her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at M.E. Lewis Elementary School. During that time, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church, both at its downtown location and later on Log Cabin Road. After a decade of commuting, Jan transitioned to teaching first grade at Midway Elementary School.

Jan eventually settled in Milledgeville, purchasing a home in Logan’s Bluff. It was there that a neighbor introduced her to Andy Anderson on a blind date. A year later, the two eloped in Helen, Georgia. Their family grew quickly, welcoming their first son, John IV, followed by Noah two years later.

For a time, the family split their Sundays between First United Methodist Church for Sunday School and Hopewell for worship. Eventually, they found their church home at Hopewell Methodist Church, where Jan transferred her membership and both of her sons later completed confirmation and joined the church.

Music has always been a central part of Jan’s life. From a very young age, she was singing and continued to develop her musical talents throughout school. She learned piano basics early on and played multiple instruments, including recorder, clarinet, bass clarinet, cymbals, and xylophone. In college, she even picked up the tenor saxophone to participate in the jazz band.

At Hopewell, Jan has faithfully shared her musical gifts, singing in the choir and playing in the handbell choir. During the pandemic, she helped ensure that the bells continued to ring out in worship each week. When in-person services resumed and there was a need for leadership, Jan stepped in to help lead congregational singing until a choir director could be found.

Now retired from teaching, Jan continues to serve faithfully at Hopewell, offering her time, talents, and heart to the life of the church. She has been a true blessing and a wonderful addition to the staff.

Julie Lavendar

Treasure

Treasure Julie Lavendar

Julie was born and raised in Laurens County in the small town of Dudley. She moved to Milledgeville in 1982 to attend Georgia College, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.

Julie began her career with Philip Morris, Inc., working for ten years as a Territory Sales Manager before opening L & L Farm Mart, a local feed and seed store, which she owned and operated for 14 years. After selling the business, she joined the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, where she currently serves as a Records Clerk and has worked for the past five years.

Julie married her husband, Greg, in 1986, and they have been happily married for 38 years. They have one daughter, Logan. In her spare time, Julie enjoys working outdoors, planting flowers, spending time with family and friends, and especially playing with her dogs—of which there are many!

Address

188 Hopewell Church Road Milledgeville, GA 31061

Phone

478-453-9047

Email

[email protected]

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