John Simmons
Director
Ministerial Services and Spiritual Formation
John Simmons is currently the Director of Ministerial Services and Spiritual Formation. Prior to being appointed to the position in June of 2007, he was the Superintendent of the Athens-Elberton District. John and his spouse, Helen, have served churches in the northeast part of metro Atlanta in his 27 years as a member of the conference.
He is continuing his family history that goes back generations to his great-grandfather, Rev. O.C. Simmons, who served his ministry in small churches in western Georgia in the 1800s. John is excited about extending his family's reach and working in this eastern area of the conference.
John's own history begins with a bachelors degree from Georgia Tech where he was an Applied Biology major thinking about medical school. After the campus minister at Tech encouraged seminary, he followed a path to seminary studies at the Chicago Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity in 1975. He went on to receive his Doctor of Ministry at Candler in 1996.
He served first as associate pastor at Embry Hills for four years in the late 70's. He spent 11 years as founding pastor of Northbrook United Methodist Church and 12 years at Glenn Memorial on the Emory campus, before becoming a superintendent.
A few of John's conference involvements include being the president of the Conference Church Development Committee during 8 years of its major expansion. He also served on the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, including 2 years as president, prior to becoming a superintendent.
John and Helen live in a subdivision ajoining Simpsonwood. They have two children, Rob and Elizabeth. In John's spare time, he enjoys regular exercise, work around the house and occasionally walking to work through the beautifuly Simpsonwood property.