We believe that God calls us to worship, prayer, love, and fellowship so that we may share God’s grace with others. Our mission is to help move people closer to Christ. 

MULBERRY STAFF & LEADERSHIP

The staff and leadership here at Mulberry are comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call the church office to speak with them.

Clergy and worship Staff

In June 2021 Bishop Lawson Bryan appointed a pastoral team of three retired South Georgia Elders to serve as our pastoral team.  Each of these clergy have served Mulberry Street United Methodist Church over the decades.  We are excited to have them lead us in this creative appointment.  

  • Rev. Creede hinshaw

    CREEDE HINSHAW served 6 appointments for 36 years in the South Georgia Conference, including 12 years at Mulberry Street (1995-2007) and 6 years at Wesley Monumental UMC in Savannah.  Retiring 8 years ago, he and Bonnie returned to Macon they have worshiped at Mulberry Street except when he has served interim appointments at Ingleside Methodist, Forsyth Methodist, St. Andrew Christian and 4 months at Mulberry at the pandemic’s outset.    He and Bonnie have 3 married adult sons and 4 grandchildren.

  • Rev. Dr. marcus tripp

    MARCUS TRIPP and his wife, Jan, served nine appointments over 40 years. He began as associate pastor here at Mulberry in 1974. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and three granddaughters spread from Atlanta to Indiana. He was twice a district superintendent (Waycross and Dublin), and served several churches in middle Georgia, including Irwinton, Hawkinsville, Christ (Warner Robins), Perry, and Vineville here in Macon.  His brother is Dr. John Tripp of our congregation.

  • rev. tommy martin

    TOMMY MARTIN grew up in Macon and at Mulberry Street Methodist Church. He has served for 38 years in churches across the South Georgia Conference, including Mulberry Street, and an appointment as the Macon District Superintendent. He and Flo, who is currently on staff at Centenary UMC in Macon, have two married sons, and three grandchildren. In his local studio, Tommy enjoys creating wheel-thrown stoneware. Community activities include serving on the Mercer University Beloved Community Planning Committee, and as a board member of “Wesley Macon”, the middle Georgia UM Wesley Foundation.

  • Rev. Julia Norman

    Children and Family Minister  circleemail


    Rev. Julia Norman was born and raised in Cordele, Georgia and was very active in her family's church, Cordele First UMC. While participating in youth leadership activities she received a call to ministry and pursued that goal by attending LaGrange College. She graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in Religion and Church Leadership in 2007. While at LaGrange College she felt called to the ordained ministry of a Deacon and entered the candidacy process with the United Methodist Church.  She attended Duke Divinity School and graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 2010. Since then she has served as a Chaplain Resident for pediatrics at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, NC, the Children's Pastor at Tuckston UMC in Athens and the Associate Pastor for Families and Children at Thomson FUMC until coming to Mulberry  in January 2019.  She was ordained a Deacon in the South Georgia Conference in 2013.  Julia and her husband, Audie, have been married since 2007 and have 3 kids together, Silas, Scott and Brice.



  • Tucker Poupard

    newroom worship leader



Office Staff

  • Karen carter

    CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR  circleemail 


  • LINDA PARKEr

    Admin/membership secretary  circleemail 

    Linda grew up in Macon, GA. She and her husband, Gary, now reside in Juliette, GA. She has been gladly serving the Lord at Mulberry Street UMC for almost 22 years and greatly enjoys her work.


  • Tshanghi corey

    director of children's center  circleemail 


  • davis perkins

    director of media and communications circleemail

    Davis was born in raised in Mansfield, Georgia. He attended Mercer University and graduated in May of 2020. He started his work at Mulberry by being a Student Leader for the Mulberry Youth Group in 2018, then moved to the Director of Media & Communications full-time in August 2020.

  • beth smith

    wedding director


Hospitality Staff

  • Betsy abbott

    director of hospitality

    Betsy grew up in Hancock County GA. After moving around for her husband to finish his college degrees, the couple settled in Jones County for thirty odd years. They now live at Lake Sinclair with their third son, Lewis. They are also the proud parents of Jay and Chris. Betsy has been on staff at Mulberry since 2007.



  • doris andrews


  • clifton carswell


  • ed wright