Dr. Jason Thrower, senior pastor

Jason is returning to First Ozark UMC, having served here from 2008 until 2012 as associate pastor. He has served at Andalusia FUMC since 2015 and at Graceville UMC, prior to that. Jason earned his baccalaureate degree from Jacksonville State University and following graduation, served as a missionary for two years in Bermuda. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Southern Theological Seminary in Kentucky and received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. Jason and his wife, April, have been married 31 years and are the parents of two sons, Mark and Luke.


To contact Jason, feel free to call our church office or send an email to jasonthrower21@yahoo.com.

 

Melanie Sebastian Foust, associate pastor/Interim Youth Director

Melanie is a recent graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She received her B.A. from Asbury University in Kentucky and a diploma from the University of Cambridge. Raised in northwest Florida, she is happy to be home in the Alabama-West Florida conference of the United Methodist Church and is excited to be part of the ongoing ministry of First Ozark UMC within the community.

 

To contact Melanie, feel free to call our church office or send an email to associatepastor@firstozarkumc.org.

  • Holly Newman

    Director of Children's Ministry

    Being the Director of Children’s Ministry at First Ozark is truly a blessing for me.

    I enjoy working with children and look forward to meeting all the children and their parents. 


    “Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” Proverbs 22:6 (GNT)


    To contact Holly, call our church office or send an email to firstkids@firstozarkumc.org.

  • dAVID eTHRIDGE

    DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES

    David works part-time at the church. He also owns Designs by D. Ethridge, located on North Foster Street in Dothan, AL. David loves to volunteer, ride horses, and garden.

  • lES pERAULT

    fAMILY lIFE cENTER dIRECTOR

    Les has been our Family Life Center director since 2008, and he continues to combine athletics with the love of God for our children and youth, as well as for our adult programs. When Les isn't hosting a sporting event, he enjoys cooking for our UM Kids and TopFloor Youth on Sunday nights. He also enjoys being in fellowship with our church members and guests. You can reach out to Les through email, or visit our Family Life Center page.

Support staff

  • petra prazinko

    managing secretary

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  • Melena Shiver

    Receptionist

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  • Building & grounds keeper

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  • Holly Pickerel

    Custodian

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  • Audio Technical Director

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