Seeking

Jennifer Von Essen

Coordinator of Connect 4 Ministries

Jennifer grew up in Georgia and graduated from Collins Hill High School here in Suwanee. She earned an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Perimeter College during her three years of teaching preschool before becoming a substitute teacher for Forsyth County Public Schools. After two years of subbing she decided to return to school and is currently seeking a B.A. in English: Writing and Publication from North Georgia College and State University. Before coming to Connection Church, Sugarloaf UMC has been her church home for over ten years and it is where she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Jennifer, her husband, Andrew, and their two girls, Anastasia and Ellie are looking forward to being a part of this exciting ministry as it grows into God's plan.

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Andrew Von Essen

Coordinator of Nexus Student Ministries

Andrew grew up in Seattle, but moved to Georgia in 1994 and immediately started attending Collins Hill High School here in Suwanee. Upon graduation he started working full time and attending Georgia Perimeter College, where he earned his Associates in Psychology in 2003. Andrew spent 9 years at Reliable Automatic Sprinkler wearing many hats including: operations, customer service and sales. In 2007, he joined several friends from Sugarloaf UMC at Displayit, where he serves as Operations Manager. Before coming to Connection Church, Sugarloaf UMC was his church home for over ten years and it is where his faith became a daily part of his life. Andrew, his wife, Jennifer, and their two girls, Anastasia and Ellie are looking forward to being a part of this exciting ministry as it grows into God's plan.

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Stephen Walters

Lead Pastor

Stephen Walters is the Lead Pastor of Connection Church. He was born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Gwinnett County (1999 graduate of Central Gwinnett High School). He attended the University of Georgia, graduating with a B.S. in Psychology before going to Emory University's Candler School of Theology earning a Masters of Divinity degree. While attending Prospect UMC in Lawrenceville, Stephen accepted Christ at age 14 on a choir tour. Soon after, he felt called into ministry.

Stephen has served as the Youth Minister at First UMC Dacula, Pastor of Rutledge UMC, and Minister of Evangelism at First UMC Lawrenceville. In June 2005, Stephen started feeling a desire to serve the people of Suwanee and to help bring Christ to the community. In June 2008, Stephen was appointed to start Connection Church, a new UMC in Suwanee that has the vision to connect people to Christ, connect people to each other, and connect the church to the community.

Stephen married Rebekah Walters, a Central Gwinnett and UGA alum, in 2004.

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Rebekah Walters

Hospitality and Community Coordinator

Rebekah was born and raised in Atlanta, grew up in Gwinnett County, and attended Central Gwinnett High School and then the University of Georgia.

Rebekah attended church at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula from elementary school through high school and accepted Christ at a youth Super Bowl Party in 1997. After dating and marrying Stephen, Rebekah became a regular attendee of the UMC.

Rebekah is a CPA by profession with a heart for hospitality and serving others. Rebekah is passionate about equipping others to manage their finances the way God intended by facilitating Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and also serving as a Dave Ramsey trained financial counselor. She enjoys being outside and walking at Little Mulberry Park, planting flowers in her yard, planning and hosting, and spending time with her friends and family.

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Chip Hogsed

Worship Leader

Chip Hogsed was born in Tennessee and is a devout vols fan. Yeah, come on! After moving from Tennessee, to New York, he landed in Gwinnett, Georgia, where he has spent the last 23 years. He graduated from Dacula High in 95 and has a BA in Psychology from Peidmont College. Chip started playing the Violin in 3rd grade while he lived in New York and has played it ever since. He started playing the guitar while he was in High School. After giving his life to Christ in College, people quickly started asking him to teach and play guitar for youth and the Bible Studies.

Chip has played all over Gwinnet in Churches such as Free Chapel, 12 Stones, Church of the Apostles and Hebron Baptist. Chip married Allison Boyd in 2005 and has 2 beautiful little girls named Malachi and Koa.

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