Rachel Bachmeier

Rachel Bachmeier has been a member of Roswell Presbyterian Church for almost her whole life. She moved to Roswell in 9th grade (14yrs old) and joined the church with her parents Gayle and Don Horton. She was a very active youth group member and began volunteering with the youth program at RPC right out of college. Rachel and Tony were married by Lane Alderman in the 1996 in the “old new sanctuary” of Roswell Presbyterian Church and since then have raised their 3 children, Miriam (19), Sarah Ruth (17), and Luke (14) in the church by attending services, Sunday school and volunteering. Tony, Miriam and Sarah Ruth have all served as RPC elders. Luke is a part of this year’s confirmation class.

Rachel is an active part of weddings at the church by revising policies and directing weddings since the new sanctuary opened. Having been a member of the church for so many years, Rachel has volunteered with many areas of children and youth programs such as VBS leadership team, teaching 2nd grade Sunday School, RYEX small group leader, SWAM camp, preschool music camp, RYEX retreat chaperone, 96:1 tour chaperone, and directed the 3-year-old Celebration Choir. In addition, Rachel has been a past member of the Chancel choir and played violin in many Glory of Christmas concerts. Most recently, Rachel has been a part of the Women of RPC planning teams for GALS and Women’s Retreat.

Rachel is very passionate about youth programs and building relationships with teenagers. For the past 6 years, Rachel and Tony have been hosting breakfast for high school students in the Roswell area on the first school day Friday of every month. Having taught violin lessons and public-school orchestra for many years, Rachel feels a connection with teenagers and works to be an adult they can trust. Watching her 3 teenagers navigate life in the world has made this even more of a calling. Rachel is excited to serve on the youth council in her role on session.

The Bible verse that Rachel most often relies on, and loves is Philippians 4:4-9

Ben Coe

Ben Coe has been a dedicated and active member of RPC since 2008, bringing over 15 years of service to various church ministries. He has faithfully served as an usher, a longtime member of the Mission Outreach Committee, and has participated in numerous mission trips to Guatemala and the Yucatán. His leadership extends to the Building and Property Council, where he utilizes his skills to support church facilities, and he has previously served as an elder (Class of 2015). Ben's commitment to serving others is evident through his work with the Love the Child Orphanage, Habitat builds, and the Stephen Ministry. He considers it a privilege to be nominated again as an elder, feeling called to continue his efforts in both the Mission and Property Councils. For Ben, RPC has been a welcoming and supportive community, and he hopes to extend that warmth to others. His faith is deeply rooted in the words of 1 Corinthians 13:13—"and the greatest of these is love."

Katie Dion

My husband Matt and I have been members of RPC since we moved to Roswell in 2011. Both of our sons, Carson (12) and Christian (6) were baptized in the church and have had the most wonderful experience attending Roswell Presbyterian Preschool and Sunday school. We have felt so blessed to see our children grow up in education and faith in such a positive and nurturing environment at RPC.

We are regular 9:30 service attenders. Our family has attended onCore on Wednesday evenings, and I have enjoyed serving in the children’s ministry in the shadow program at VBS, Sunday school, F2, and on the Legacy capital campaign committee.

Through serving on the capital campaign committee I learned so much more about the life and history of RPC, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve the church home that continues to mean so much to our family.

Favorite Bible verse: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27

Michael Forrester

I have been a member of Roswell Presbyterian Church since 2004 and am honored to be called once again to serve as an elder. My past and present involvement in the church includes singing in the choir, serving as an elder from 2018-2020, and being a long-time member of the Finance, Resources, and Management (FRM) Committee and the Men of RPC Retreat Planning Committee since 2018. Through these roles, I have been blessed to serve alongside others who are dedicated to the life and mission of our church.

My wife, Christine, and our son, Will, are also members of the church, and we are grateful for the faith community that has shaped our family. I feel called to this role particularly to provide guidance in financial decisions, drawing on my experience in non-profit accounting to help steward the church’s resources wisely.

More than anything, I want the congregation to know that I am a lover of people and am excited to be engaged in the important work of our church. My favorite verse, Proverbs 3:5—"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"—reminds me daily to rely on God’s wisdom and faithfulness in all things.

John Hathcock

John Hathcock has been a member of RPC since 2023. He is a member of the Chancel Choir and participates in the Tuesday Men’s Bible Study. John also serves as one of the leaders for RPC’s Stephen Ministry. “My family has always believed in serving others in our community. As the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 teaches us, we should use our own individual gifts and blessings wisely.”

Ashley Jacobs

When my husband, Will, and I purchased our house from long-time Roswell Presbyterian Church members Don and Sandie Robertson over 20 years ago, we had no idea that their gracious invitation to visit RPC would lead us to an even more meaningful home for our lifelong faith journey!

To give a bit of background, I grew up as a member of Summerville Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, where I completed confirmation class in the 8th grade. After earning my degree in Structural Engineering from Clemson University and moving to Roswell with Will, we began attending Worship and Sunday School at RPC and became members through a letter of transfer in 2007. I later joined Circle 6 and completed Stephen Ministry training, serving as a Stephen Minister at RPC for two years before our daughter, Audrey, was born in 2012. Audrey attended Roswell Presbyterian Preschool and grew up surrounded by the love and support of RPC’s Children’s Ministry. During that time, my volunteer work at the church shifted toward helping with OnCore on Wednesday nights, assisting with the Children's Choir and Children’s Handbell Choir, and serving as a substitute Sunday School teacher as needed. I also served as part of the First-Time Visitor Calling Team. Currently, Will and I are members of an RPC Sunday Social Services Group, where our families gather weekly for fellowship and to serve others as we continue to grow in our faith. One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 8:38-39. I am honored to be nominated as an elder this year, and after prayerfully considering this three-year commitment to serve on session, I feel called to serve my church family alongside the Congregational Care Committee.

Dan Judy

Dan Judy grew up at RPC, and was an active member of the church as a youth and young adult before moving to the Washington, DC area in 2003. After over 20 years in Washington, Dan and his wife Caroline (who were married by Rev. Scott Weimer in 2013) and their children Rosie (9), and Tim (5) decided to move back “home” to Georgia, began attending RPC in late 2023, and joined last year. Dan’s parents, Richard and Patsy, and sister, Laura, remain members of RPC. Since returning, Dan has been active with the OnCore children’s program and the Pathfinders Sunday school class. Dan was asked by the RPC nominating committee to serve as an Elder over 20 years ago, but had to decline because he was moving, and is very excited to be able to answer that call now! Dan credits the late Rev. Lane Alderman, former RPC seminary intern (and current PC USA pastor) Joe Clifford, and Rev. Larry Hayward of Westminter Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, VA as his primary spiritual mentors, and his favorite Bible verse is John 10:10 – “I come that you may have life and have it abundantly.”

Grace O’Donnell Lanier

Our family—my husband, Chad, our sons, Witt and Hance, and I—joined Roswell Presbyterian Church in 2018 after moving to Atlanta in 2016 from the Houston area. Chad and I are now recent empty nesters after years of traveling for our boys’ soccer games, which has given us the opportunity to become more involved in church life. We are enjoying The Next Chapter Sunday School, and I cherish Wednesday morning Bible Study led by Ryan Jensen. I have had the privilege of serving communion a few times, having previously served as an elder at Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church in Texas.

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, where I spent 38 years at Independent Presbyterian Church. That church was my home—I was christened there, grew up there, got married there, and later taught preschool there for many years. Then, in one of the biggest leaps of faith we’ve ever taken, Chad accepted a job in Houston, because he was away from home traveling every week for work. We knew no one, but as always, God had a plan. When we arrived, we discovered that our new pastor had also been christened at my Birmingham church, and his parents were longtime members there as well.

On a personal note, moving to Georgia brought another new beginning—real estate—something I first experienced from the perspective of an out-of-town buyer. This past year I turned 50 and it has been one of the very best years of my life. I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to serve as an Elder once again—this time in Georgia. My goal is to help adults stay engaged in the church, to make it a place of comfort and joy, and to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table.

My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13—"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." In preschool, we sang it as a song, and to this day, I find myself singing it whenever life presents challenges.

Jackson Miller
I have been a member at Roswell Presbyterian Church for 16 years. I am a part of the band that plays at the 10:45 service every Sunday, and I play piano, guitar, and bass. In the past, I have volunteered as a walker at VBS, and last summer I went on the Serve Orlando mission trip and am signed up to go again this summer. My parents became members in 2007 , and I have a younger sister who is also a member. My dad served as an elder a few years ago as well. I feel called to serve as a youth elder because it is an opportunity to become more involved in the church and strengthen my relationship with God. I am also excited to meet new people and learn more about Roswell Presbyterian Church. I would like the congregation to know about me is that I enjoy meeting new people and always try my best to be kind to everyone I talk to. My favorite Bible passage is from Jesus's sermon on the mount, verses Mathew 7:24-27, when He states, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” This verse reminds me to always put God first and structure my life on Him because He gives me a strong foundation on how to live my life. I am so grateful to have received this amazing opportunity to serve as a youth elder at Roswell Presbyterian Church.

Dan Niederjohn
My name is Dan Niederjohn and my wife, Melissa, and two sons, Max and Jesse, have been members at RPC since 2014. In the past I was a co-leader of elementary and middle Sunday School classes, was a leader at an Awanita Fall Retreat, and currently help with the modern service video production. I would be honored to serve as the Elder for Adult Discipleship and Studies. As I reflect on my own spiritual journey, I recognize how vital it is for adults to have opportunities for study, discussion, and growth. I am committed to fostering a welcoming environment where all feel encouraged to explore their faith, ask questions, and do so in an engaged community. I also bring a background in education as I have been a faculty member at Kennesaw State University for over 20 years. My current favorite Bible passage is “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Mark Ribbens
I joined RPC with my wife Sarah in October 2021 after 34 years as a music teacher then principal in the Connecticut public schools. Previously we were members of First Presbyterian of Fairfield. During our time there I served multiple terms on the Board of Trustees, and Elder. Over the years I chaired the Worship, Human Resources, and Christian Education and Discipleship committees. I served on a Pastoral Nominating Committee, sang in the choir, and for five years wrote monthly small group discussion questions based on the pastor’s sermon. Currently I am a member of the RPC choir and serve on the Commission for Preparation for Ministry of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery, and in 2024 and 2025 I read ordination exams for the PCUSA. I have gotten to know RPC and am eager to use my talents and experience to further the mission of our church. A favorite Bible passage for assurance is Romans 8. Few people know that I have a picture taken with Phil Collins when he unexpectedly visited an elementary school I headed.

Wendi Schutt
Wendi Schutt has been a member of the church for just over a year and a half. I attend with my husband, Andrew Schutt. I serve in the new member ambassador committee with Morgan Burge, the shadow ministry, the arts ministry, and the flower guild. I feel honored to be called to be an elder at Roswell Presbyterian Church because I absolutely love it here and feel completely at home in this church. The members and pastors embody Christ ‘s love and kindness. Things I would like members to know about me? I have a particularly soft spot in my heart for adults with disabilities and I love art, and I love to paint. This church embodies Gods’ graciousness and compassion because it welcomes everyone, just like Jesus did. I particularly love the sermon that each pastor gives when we take communion on Sundays that talks about how all are welcome at the table. In an age with so much divisiveness, I find RPC a breath of fresh air and this is why I feel called to be an elder. My favorite scripture verse is Hebrews 11 :1 “Faith shows the reality of things we hope for. It is the evidence of things we cannot see.” We all need hope and love.

Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith has been a member of Roswell Presbyterian Church since 2000. He has served as a Stephen Minister, Usher, Elder (one term on Congregational Care & one term on Personnel), and on various search committees. He and his wife, Emily, have raised all three of their children at RPC (Abby – 23, Noah – 20, and Aaron – 18). Brandon is excited to be called back to serve on the Personnel Committee. In his professional life, Brandon consults, coaches, teaches and writes on healthy workplaces and workplace dynamics. He is thrilled to bring those God-given gifts to the talented and amazing staff at RPC. Galatians 6:2 –“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”