Pastor

Dr. Ed Tomlinson

Ed Tomlinson has been a member of the North Georgia Annual Conference since 1973. He has served at Northside, Mt. Bethel, Allgood Road, and Briarcliff Churches. Previously, he has been District Superintendent of the Atlanta-Roswell (1988-91) and Rome-Carrollton Districts. After 8 years as Executive Assistant to the Bishop, he was assigned to the Atlanta-Roswell District again in 2007. After finishing a six year term, he was assigned as Pastor of Lanier United Methodist Church in Cumming.

He has been a delegate to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church since 1988 and to General Conference since 2000. As first clergy elected in 2008, he was Vice Chairperson of the North Georgia delegation. He chaired the General Administration Legislative Committee at the 2004 General Conference.

Currently, Ed serves on the Wespath Board of Directors where he chairs the Legislation Committee and is a member of its Executive Committee. He served as a member of the denomination’s Human Rights Task Force. Also, he was elected to the 2008-12 Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy which evaluates and assigns the bishops. He was previously a director of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

His service extends to a number of boards and agencies of the North Georgia Annual Conference. He was the first President of Aldersgate Homes for the developmentally disabled. He served as Vice Chairperson of the North Georgia Board of Ordained Ministry. He was Chairperson of the Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center Board. He was selected as Chairperson of the Conference Task Force on Persons Living in Poverty. He was chosen to Chair the Building Committee for the United Methodist Center at Simpsonwood. He was Conference Information Officer. He is a member of the Loan Committee of the North Georgia Foundation. He was previously chairperson of Emory Pastoral Services Advisory Committee.

Ed is a graduate of Emory and Henry College, Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M. Div.), and United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH (Doctor of Ministry).

Ed and his wife, Nancy, have two married daughters and four grandchildren.

Director of Music

Jamie Smith

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Born and raised in Cumming, Georgia, he began playing music and singing at a young age playing piano and alto sax through his school years. His passion for music was carried into college. He graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Georgia in 1997 and 1999. After college he taught band for 8 years and he is currently in his 14th year of teaching.  He is the Band Director at Dekalb Agriculture Technology Environment Charter School in Dekalb County.  In 1999 Jasper United Methodist church invited him to become the Associate Music and Worship Leader .  He worked for 13 years with all aspects of the music programs including choral music, hand - bells, and instrumental ensemble.  He was the director of the children’s music program and they performed two children’s musicals a year.  Since August 2013, he became a member of Concord Baptist Church in Cumming where he served as the Impact Elementary Choir Director.  He is in his 5th year as the Director of Music at Lanier United Methodist Church.  Please join him in growing the music program as we worship our Heavenly Father. 

Office Administrator

Carrie Stepp

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Director of Youth

Lesli Gray

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Lesli has had the immense privilege of serving as the Children's and Youth Director at Lanier for the past 15 years. Over this time, she has been deeply committed to nurturing the spiritual growth and development of our young members, guiding them on their journey of faith, and instilling values that will last a lifetime. It brings her great joy to witness their transformation and active engagement within our church community. Together, they embark on a mission to create a welcoming, inclusive, and enriching space for our children and youth to thrive in their relationship with Jesus. She looks forward to continuing this rewarding journey, as they shape future leaders and disciples for generations to come.