Rev. Nelson Furtado is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he grew up, met his wife, and received his call to ministry. Before answering his call to ministry Rev. Furtado was an attorney and practiced law in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Rev. Furtado is a Candler School of Theology graduate with a Master’s in Divinity. He is pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry through Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington – DC.

Nelson is passionate about discipleship and helping people to use their unique God-given gifts. He also champions diversity in the local church and best practices for churches seeking to reflect the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Nelson has been heavily involved in training and cohorts focusing on church revitalization, multiethnic ministries, and church and community engagement.

Rev. Furtado currently serves on the board of the Hispanic-Latino committee and at the Standing Rules Committee of the North Georgia Annual Conference.

Nelson loves meeting new people, playing the acoustic guitar, practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and cooking Brazilian barbecue, which is the best barbecue in the world!

Nelson and his wife, Michelly Furtado, have been married for nine years. Michelly is a Portuguese and Literature teacher specializing in psychopedagogy and special needs education. Nelson and Michelly have a seven-year-old daughter named Sophia.

Cora has worked as an Administrative/Office Assistant for the last 20 years with organizations such as Clayton State University, Morrow and Community Gardens of Henry County, McDonough. 

Her family church is Bethel UMC in Stockbridge.Ga.

Cora is a member of Turning Point Church in McDonough where she serves on the Dream Team, Hospitality Team, Events Team and as the DT Training and Development Point Leader.  As a small group leader at TPC, Cora teaches Tech Assist,a computer and technology class focusing on MS Office, Google Drive, and overcoming the fear of technology.  Cora loves in her spare time to read sci-fi and fantasy novels and tutor people who need computer or social media assistance.

Don is currently the Music Director at Morrow First United Methodist Church. He has 37 years of experience as a choral conductor. He owned and operated Harmonies Music, a retail and education business for 14 years – in the process, meeting his wife, Jackie.

Previous experience includes working as music director at both Gainesville First United Methodist and Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. He also served as a staff vocal teacher at Brenau University music department and preparatory school. Don has been a tenor soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and was a member for 11 years of both the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and the Atlanta Symphony Chamber Chorus, conducted by the great Robert Shaw.

Don continues to work creating and producing rehearsal/training media for the Georgia Music Educators Association including All-State and various Honor Choruses. He also works part-time at Soundaround Audio Video as an audio recording technician and cameraman.

Jackie returns to Morrow First United Methodist Church as Church in February 2005. Previously, she served as church accompanist from 1984 to 1998.

Jackie has been a member of Morrow First United Methodist Church since 1987. She has a Masters Degree in Music with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy. Jackie and her husband, Don have two children, Casey and Luke. She has taught many piano students in private and studio settings and continues to share her talent with us, her church family. Jackie and her husband are the parents of two young adults and have one granddaughter.

Tracy Holland has served as part-time custodian at Morrow First United Methodist Church for over 20 years. He served for four years from 1988-1992 and for 15 years from 1998-2013. He returned in January 2015 as part-time custodian at MFUMC.

He has been a full-time custodian for both Clayton County Public Schools and the Henry County Board of Education since 1983. Currently, he is at Arnold Elementary School in Clayton County where he has been Custodian for two years.

Tracy is active in his church and enjoys his hobbies, which include football, basketball, bowling, and pool.

Tracy and his wife Susan reside in Jonesboro, Ga. He is a member of Three Point Bible Church in Jonesboro, Ga.

Jamie Bales and her assistants prepare and serve a variety of meals for Wednesday Night Fellowship Hour and for other special meetings held at the church.