Meet the Team


  • VCC Pastor Search Committee Nominates Ben Cathey as Senior Pastor

    Greetings, Church Family!


    We are thrilled to announce that the Pastor Search Committee (PSC) has nominated Ben Cathey to be our Senior Pastor, and the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) has unanimously approved the nomination after thorough review. On December 12, the Administrative Council voted to call a Church Conference, providing members the opportunity to affirm Ben Cathey’s call as Senior Pastor here at VCC. Ben is scheduled to preach at both the FUEL and Traditional services on January 5 and January 12, 2025. Additionally, a Church Conference will be held on January 12 at 4:00 p.m., during which members will vote to affirm his call to serve our church. Michael Torrance, as Chair of Administrative Council, will provide an official notice of the called Church Conference at least a week in advance. Although the next official action won’t occur until January, we wanted to share this news promptly, allowing space to focus on Christ in the Advent season and to celebrate Jim and Diane’s retirement on December 29.

    A Little Bit About Ben

    We’ve attached a detailed overview of Ben’s background, testimony, and family, including links to some of his past sermons, but here’s a brief introduction: Ben and his wife, June, currently live in Alpharetta, Georgia, and they have three adult children: Amber, Ashlyn, and Hugh. With 26 years of pastoral experience, Ben has served in UMC churches from 1997 to 2020 and in independent churches since 2020. PSC reached out to references from several of his previous churches, where he received consistent praise for his inspiring preaching, effective leadership, administrative skills, and community outreach.

    Ben holds a Master of Divinity (1997) and a Doctor of Ministry in Advanced Church Leadership and Biblical Preaching (2006) from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has visited Vidalia multiple times, meeting with the PSC, SPRC, church staff, and Administrative Council. Importantly, Ben has affirmed his agreement with our Statement of Faith and has demonstrated a firm commitment to the Word of God in the Wesleyan tradition.

    Please take time to review the attached information about Ben and pray for him and June as they prepare for this exciting transition.

    A Review of the Pastor Search Process

    This nomination reflects months of prayer and effort. In August, we introduced the members of PSC and prayed for God’s guidance in their search and in the lives of our future pastor and his family.

    The PSC surveyed the congregation and staff about desired qualities in a Senior Pastor, created a job description, and posted it in multiple locations. They reviewed 45 applications, narrowing the pool based on the surveys, our Statement of Faith, Bylaws, and prayerful consideration. After conducting background, reference, and credit checks, as well as in-person and phone interviews, the PSC met 20 times over three months before unanimously nominating Ben to SPRC on November 27.

    Since then, Ben has been further vetted by the SPRC, Administrative Council, and staff as we have moved through the diligence required by our Bylaws. Reflecting on the path from our prayers in August to Ben’s nomination now, we can see God’s grace in aligning his and June’s journey with ours at this perfect time.

    Looking Forward

    We encourage you to review the attached materials, meet Ben, and hear him preach on January 5 and 12. If you have questions about Ben or the selection process, please reach out to PSC members (Diane Meeks, Nancy Peterson, Cassie Neal, Freddy Thompson or Robert Hilton), church staff, or me.

    In the meantime, let’s focus on celebrating Christ, our reason for celebrating this Advent season. We also look forward to honoring Jim and Diane for their incredible contributions over the past eight years. As a reminder, their retirement service and celebration will take place on December 29 at 3:00 p.m., and love offerings will be accepted through December 22.

    This is a busy yet exciting season as we celebrate God’s work among us to date while anticipating where He will lead us next.

    In Christ,

    Daniel J. O’Connor
    Staff Parrish Relations Committee Chair


    Ben Cathey Profile Package

  • Open Position:  Part Time Organist

    Vidalia Cornerstone Church is seeking to hire a part-time Organist & Chancel Choir Accompanist.   (Optional: Hand Bell Choir Director.)   For more information or to submit application please contact John Morgan.  email 

     

    Links to relevant documents:


    Job Application

     Job Description

    Organ Stop List

  • Rev. Jim Smith, Senior Pastor email  

    Rev. James W. Smith, Jr. (Jim) was appointed pastor of the Vidalia Cornerstone Church by Bishop R. Lawson Bryan in June 2017.  Jim is married to Diane D. Smith and they have two grown children, Shanna Tanner (married to Dan Tanner) and James-Michael Smith, and three grandchildren, Davis, Cole and Natalie.  Jim has previously served churches in Savannah, Pooler, Macon, St Simons, Americus and Thomasville. 

     

    Originally from Reidsville, Rev.Smith holds degrees from LaGrange College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. 

     

    In his free time, Jim enjoys working out with weights, walking, reading, working crossword puzzles, and trying to learn how to hit a golf ball and play golf. 

  • Rev. David Blalock, Pastor Emeritus

    Rev. David Blalock retired from active ministry in June, 1999 after serving 40 years throughout South Georgia in churches ranging in membership of over 1800. Throughout his active ministry, he has served in many leadership positions including nine years as chairperson of the District Committee on Ministry and eight years as secretary of The Conference Board of Ministry.  He received his Degree in Business Education from Georgia Southern University and his Master of Divinity from Emory University.  He and his wife, Patsy, have two children. 

  • Diane Born, Executive Director, Cornerstone email  

    Diane Born is the Executive Director of Cornerstone Children’s Center.  Diane was born in the Toombs/ Montgomery area and has lived here all of her life. She is married to Jack Born and together they have four children and four grandchildren. Prior to coming to Cornerstone Diane taught at, directed, and owned Wee Care Preschool for over 25 years.  She has a passion for teaching and loving children.  Her greatest joy is to share the love of Jesus with the children and their parents.  “ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

  • Connie Brown, Office Administrator email  

    Ms. Connie Brown joined our staff in January 2002 as Office Administrator. She graduated from Southeastern Technical College earning her degree in Business and Office Technology in 2001. 
    She is a member of the Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure (PAUMCS) and thoroughly enjoys attending this conference every year for her continued education. Also, she is a member of Alston First Baptist Church. Connie enjoys her job in church ministry and prays she brightens the lives of everyone who comes her way. 
    Connie has two children; Jonathan Brown, who currently serves as associate pastor of Vineville United Methodist Church, and Melissa Williamson, who is employed by the Therapy Tree in Hazelhurst, GA as a Speech Language Pathologist.

  • Jose Caraballo, Minister of Discipleship email  

    Favorite Verses:

    Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
    Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

    Jose is married to Julie and has two children: Zoe and Levi.  He heads up our growth groups and discipleship classes.  Jose is a former youth pastor and college soccer coach, and serves as a community coach for our local middle school.  He is passionate about studying and teaching the Word of God, and has a desire to lead others to learn more about Scripture and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  

  • John Morgan, Pianist/Organist/Chancel Choirmaster email  

    John F. Morgan is our part-time adult choir director and pianist since 2003. In 2020, he retired as choral director for J. R. Trippe Middle and Vidalia Comprehensive High School after 30 years of teaching public school. He is a native of Lost Mountain, Georgia. John has two Vidalia-born daughters, Hannah and Halli, and two handsome grandsons, Miles and Kaspian. 

    John has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Shorter College, Rome, Georgia and a Masters in Post-Secondary Education (Instructional Technology) from Troy University. He has previously served Ashburn United Methodist Church as organist/pianist and soloist and spent six years as organist/pianist/choirmaster at Pinson Memorial United Methodist in Sylvester. John also previously served two congregations in Vidalia: First Baptist and the Church of God.

  • Jana Owen, Children's Ministry Co-Coordinator email  

    Jana Loyd Owen joined our staff in May 2017 as the Children's Ministry Co-Coordinator.  She grew up in Eastman, Ga. and graduated from Dodge County Highschool in 1997. She graduated from Macon State College in 2001 with an A.S. in Dental Hygiene and then from the Medical College of Georgia in 2002 with a B.S. in Dental Hygiene. 

     

    Jana married Josh Owen of Dublin, Ga  in April of 2005. They have 3 beautiful daughters, Jaley, Jacey, and James. She and her family moved to Vidalia in July of 2012. Jana is currently also a part-time Dental Hygienist at the Dental Center of Vidalia. 

     

    Jana has a love for children and her church and is excited for the opportunity to help kids experience the love of Jesus.  

  • Ashley Sasser, Director of Youth Ministry email  

    Ashley Sasser grew up in Vidalia and came to us in the summer of 2007 to be our youth director.  She left a volunteer youth leader position at a church in Kentucky where she served for 3 years. She has been involved in youth ministry in some capacity for 14 years and has a deep passion for students to come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Ashley was also a missionary for Youth with a Mission for 3 and a half years traveling to many places around the world to share Christ with others, and that is where God began to give her a heart to work with youth.  Ashley is married to Sean Sasser and they have four children.

  • Sean Sasser, FUEL Worship Leader email  

    Sean has been the contemporary worship leader for our FUEL service and youth services for 10 years. He is married to Ashley, our Youth Director, and has 4 children: Blayke, Luke, Ryan, and Grant.  Sean is a full-time teacher and loves working with the youth whether it be through bible studies, worship, mission trips, or other activities.  He is passionate about leading the church in worship through music, serving the church and local community, and sharing the love of Christ with others.  

  • Sarah Torrance, Children's Ministry Co-Coordinator email  

    Sarah Torrance was hired in May 2017 as Children’s Ministry Co-Coordinator. She was raised in Vidalia and attended VCC most of her life. In 2004, she married Michael Torrance of Vidalia and they have three children; Madison, Samuel, and Ethan. Sarah received a MAcc from Georgia Southern University. While living in Statesboro, she worked as an auditor for several years. In 2009, she and Michael moved back to Vidalia. Shortly after, they were blessed with twins and Sarah’s full-time mommy job began. She is excited about this position and being active in the lives of the children of VCC.

    "It is an honor to share the love of Jesus with the children of VCC and watch them experience His love." “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

  • Caitlin Whitaker, Media Director & VKids Worship Leader email  

    Caitlin Whitaker was hired September 2021 as the Media Director.  She has lived in Vidalia for a number of years, and has been a member of Vidalia Cornerstone Church since 2000.  In 2009, she married Zack Whitaker, and they have three children: Silas, Edie Rae and Margo.  Caitlin worked as a Music Therapist before having children, and has enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother.  She is excited about this new role she is playing in the life of this church, and hopes that in all things, she brings glory to God.

  • Hollie Mobley, Co-Nursery Coordinator email  

    Hollie Mobley was born and raised in Wheeler County. She and her family became members of VCC in 2014. She is married to Matt Mobley, and they reside in Vidalia with their three children Jesslyn, Fisher, and Cullen. 

      

    Hollie is a second grade teacher at Wheeler County Elementary School. She is excited to become the Nursery Coordinator because of her great love for children. 

  • Emily Moncrief, Co-Nursery Coordinator email

    Born and raised in Vidalia, Georgia, Emily is a proud resident of the close-knit community. She completed her high school education at Vidalia High School in 2004, and pursued higher education and graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2014. For the past seven years, Emily has been dedicated to her career at Meridy's Uniforms.


    Emily is married to husband, Logan Moncrief, and they are blessed with two beautiful daughters- Finley and Farryn.


    Emily is grateful for the opportunity to love on the children in the nursery of Vidalia Cornerstone Church and continues to embrace the journey of making a positive difference in the lives of those around her.

  • Financial Secretary email  

    Please use the email link provided to contact the church Financial Secretary.