Our Staff and Leaders

Reverend Dr. Jeri Parris Perkins, Pastor

The Rev. Dr. Jeri Parris Perkins joined the JIPC family as Interim Pastor in October of 2021 and was Installed as permanent Pastor on January 22, 2023.

Dr. Perkins was the former Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Clinton where she served for seven years. Her pastoral duties also included serving as an Associate Pastor both at Hartness-Thornwell Presbyterian Church and at First Presbyterian Church of Aiken, the PCUSA Redevelopment Pastor at Owings Presbyterian Church and the Pastor and Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church in Hartsville, SC.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Religion from Presbyterian College in 1981 and continued her studies at the United Theological College of the West Indies and at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Jeri earned her Master of Divinity with Distinction from the Columbia Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry in Church Revitalization from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. She has also completed her Interim/Transitional Ministry Training. Jeri is an active member and former Moderator of the Trinity Presbytery and currently serves as Moderator of their Commission on Ministry.

In addition to her pastoral duties, Jeri was the Dean of Religious Life and Director of the Cornelson Center for the Exploration of Christian Practice at Presbyterian College in Clinton for four years.

Jeri brings a wealth of experience to Johns Island Presbyterian Church including running a capital campaign resulting in a $ 4.3 Million renovation of an historic sanctuary, adding a wonderful narthex for overflow, fellowship and reception, a two-story office and music wing and a new parking lot.
E-Mail: jperkins@jipc.org

STAFF:
Financial Administrator:  Debbie Melson
Assistant Treasurer:  Ruby Jenkins
Amanda Henley: Director of Communications/Technology
Laura Hartley: Director of Faith Formation
Melinda Hamilton:  Director of Music
Elaine Earl: Administrative Assistant
Johnsie Mason:  Interim CE-Youth
Lee Ann Sullivan: Interim CE-Elementary Education
Marya Smith: Interim CE-Early Education
TreAnna Saunders: Nursery Attendant
Custodian: Annette Pye

CHURCH SESSION:
Clerk of Session:  Charlie Larsen
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Jeri Parris Perkins
Term through 2023:
Beverly Stribling, Joe Thompson, Amy Stone, Rob Keeler, Alice Meise, Tim White, Caroline Henley
Term through 2024:
Ty Headley, John Graham, Lisa Floyd, Keith Gill,Tom Stallings, Want Barfield
Term through 2025:
Tim Barnes, Eddie Berry, Jan Eubank, Skip Grooms, Luke Green, Sally Lynch, 
JIPC COMMITTEES:
Administration: Joe Thompson – Moderator, Tim Barnes – Personnel Sub-Committee, Luke Green-  IT Sub-Committe
Budget & Finance: Tom Stallings – Moderator, Ty Headley – Stewardship Sub-Committee
Building and Grounds: Keith Gill – Moderator, Wayne Barfield, Skip Grooms
Christian Education: Eddie Berry – Co-Moderator, Melissa Graves – Co-Moderator, Caroline Henley
Congregational Care: Alice Meise – Moderator, Sally Lynch
Congregational Life: Amy Stone – Co-Moderator, Lisa Floyd – Co-Moderator
Mission and Outreach: Rob Keeler – Moderator, Tim White
Worship and Music: Beverley Stribling – Moderator, John Graham
Steering Committee: Jan Eubank, Moderator

OTHER POSITIONS:
Endowment Fund: Charles Larsen
Flower Chairperson: Patty Anderson
Prayer Team Coordinator: Susan Stallings
Wedding Coordinator:  Betsy Quinn
CHIP Program:  Michael Orris, Tom Stallings