Pastor Nathan has served as our senior pastor since 2016.  He

holds a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity from Emory University's Candler School of Theology, and an undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University.  He is an ordained Elder in the Alabama West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving as a pastor, associate pastor, denominational staffer, and youth pastor since 1997.

nathanwattwood@gmail.com

Pastor Rebecca has been in the local church for the past 17+ years in full-time service as a children’s minister, youth director, director of discipleship, and as an associate pastor. She is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church and is also serving as a founding pastor at a new church start in Cottondale, FL. She is a native of Indiana along with her husband, Toby Rutherford. They have two daughters, Hannah and Payton, who are in high school. The fur baby of the family is a rescue named Hoosier (of course!) In her spare time, you will find Rebecca watching her daughters play volleyball, following Cubs baseball, traveling, kayaking, or sitting at the beach. Her guilty pleasure on Netflix is any British History documentary. Her favorite book of the Bible is Ruth and her spiritual gift is in teaching (especially Confirmation or the Old Testament).

revbecruth@gmail.com

Pastor Lauren is no stranger to Marianna First as she has been connected to our church and community for the past seven years. She holds an M.Div. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a B.A. in Religion from Huntingdon College. For the past three years, she has served as pastor of Bethel UMC in Hall Co., GA, and has also served on staff at St. James UMC and First UMC in Montgomery, AL, where her work focused on children's ministry, membership records, and general pastoral support.

laurencowan@gmail.com

Pastor Cole leads our ministries with teenagers and organizes mission projects for our congregation.  He also serves as the pastor of Malone United Methodist Church.  A graduate of Northwest Florida State College, he is pursuing a Master's of Divinity degree from Emory University's Candler School of Theology.  Prior to serving our congregation, Pastor Cole served on the staff of Point Washington UMC and with YouthWorks, a youth ministry mission organization.  He is a Licensed Local Pastor and candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church.

cole.mariannafirst@gmail.com

Pastor Nichole leads our congregational care ministries and provides support to programmatic ministries to children, youth, adults, including our church's event planning.  She also serves as the pastor of Greenwood United Methodist Church.  A graduate of the University of Central Florida and Brevard Community College, she is currently pursing a Master's of Divinity at Liberty University.  Prior to serving our congregation, Pastor Nichole was a public school teacher before serving in children's ministry and curriculum development at Marianna First Baptist Church and Rivertown Community Church.  She is a Licensed Local Pastor and a candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church.

nichole.mariannafirst@gmail.com

Judy has overseen music ministries since 2017 but has been on staff as choir director, and, previously, as accompanist for many years.  She leads the chancel choir, handbells and coordinates the rich musical life of our church.

Anthony is our newest team member, playing the pipe organ and accompanying our choir on piano in Sunday morning worship since September 2023.  He has been a church musician since childhood and served as a church staff musician since 1990.  He is a member of the American Guild of Church Organists and has served on the Board of the local chapter.

Jo Anne keeps track of donations and expenditures, financial reporting and much more.  She is our congregation's longest serving staff member.

joanne.mariannafirst@gmail.com