Bryant Harris serves as Senior Pastor of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church

Barabara Efird - Director of Music

     Barbara has been with Mars Hill Church since 1998 as the Director of Music. In addition to staff position at Mars Hill, she has a private piano studio and a small picture framing business. Holding a bachelor and a master degree in music performance from the University of North Carolina she also completed all course work toward a doctorate of music performance at the University of North Texas and spent a year abroad studying at the University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. After 18 years away from music working in a variety of positions at GE, she returned to a music career in 1996. She has made a number of professional recordings, both in the United States and Europe. Barbara served as a staff accompanist, accompanying both student and faculty recitals at Kennesaw State University.

     During her music career, Barbara served in many churches and many denominations over numerous states. She has been in churches as small as 100 members and as large as 4000, functioning in a variety of capacities.  One church choir had only 8 singers while another contained 110 teens.

     Her non musical interests include a love of animals... she currently has 3 dogs, all rescues who are lovable "mutts."  Her other great passion is for her piano students.  "These kids tend to stay in my studio for years.  They grow from young children into young adults and our lives stay connected for many years.  The studio provides a way for me to share my faith while also sharing the joy of music."
     To sum up, she uses a wonderful quote, "'God gave us music that we might pray without words.'  Music has the power to move us to a place where we encounter God to both praise Him and to ask for strength, hope, courage, peace and to continually rekindle our faith."

Michael Porter -Christian Growth Director

Born and raised in the Acworth area, Michael returned to his hometown after earning his BS in Psychology from the University of Georgia and his Masters in Christian Psychological Studies from P.S.I. in Atlanta. Michael's passion is seeing people ALIVE, giving up the concerns of this world to worship the King. Michael has a son, Avery, who is a beautiful reminder of God's grace and life-giving childlike faith.

Sue Vasick - Church Secretary

Sue spent 13 years publishing her own magazine which was circulated throughout the world. When she gave that up, she felt led by God to join the Mars Hill Church staff and now runs the office, doing all the various duties that a church administrator is required to do.  She is on the Worship Committee, sings in the Sanctuary Choir and on the praise team, and enjoys bowling with her team during bowling season.  Sue believes God has a special plan for us all and it's our duty to follow His guidance throughout life, giving Him all the glory for our blessings.  When not spending time at Mars Hill, Sue enjoys the company of her four Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound) dogs at her home in Kennesaw.  She also writes a quarterly column for a European magazine, has been published in various books and magazines throughout the world, and currently is heavily involved in horse rescue.

Diane Chiprany - Preschool Director

Originally from Millersburg, Pennsylvania, Diane graduated from Bloomsburg University with a B.S. in Spanish/Education.  She taught for a total of 10 years in Westmoreland County, Virginia and Cobb County, Georgia.  In addition to teaching elementary Spanish, middle school Spanish and reading, high school Spanish and adult Spanish classes, Diane has lead many group tours of students, parents and community members to Mexico.  Diane and her husband David live in Acworth with their two children Zachary and Emily.  Zach is in the 1st grade at Frey Elelmentary, and Emily is in the Pre-K program at Mars Hill Church.  Diane's church activities include:  Christian Growth Committee, Children's Church program, usher and VBS. 

Diane started her preschool director position at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church in February, 2005.

Linda Bauman - Assistant Preschool Director

Linda Bauman is the assistant director and also the lead teacher in the 1A class.  Linda grew up in Smyrna, Georgia and majored in art at Kennesaw State College.  She is among the original group of teachers who started the preschool program here at Mars Hill Church.  Linda has been married to her husband Andy for 21 years.  The two live in Acworth with their 10 year-old daughter Kristin.  Kristin is a student at Ford Elementary School.  The Bauman's are members of Mars Hill Church. Linda teaches Children's Church on Sunday mornings and is very active in our VBS program  You will frequently see her and her husband ushering on Sunday morning.