Staff Directory

Bill became Northside’s Senior Pastor in 2017. Bill first felt God’s call to the ministry as a teenager and has served full time as a United Methodist pastor since 1982. Some of his previous pastoral appointments include FUMC of Lawrenceville, Sam Jones UMC in Cartersville, and FUMC of West Point. Bill is married to Tracy who teaches at Morris Brandon Primary School. In addition to spending time with his family, Bill enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and clay shooting. He writes a weekly blog titled Treasure in Jars of Clay at BillBurch.net.

Rev. Catherine Boothe Olson has been on staff at Northside Church since 2006, and was ordained a Deacon in the North Georgia Conference in 2010. She earned two associate’s degrees at Young Harris College before obtaining a B.S. in Education at Valdosta State University and a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She married Cordon in 2018 and welcomes 4 young adult and teenage stepchildren. When ministry and family commitments allow, she enjoys running, hot yoga, book club and serving on the Board for Just Bakery of Atlanta Board. Catherine also has a cat, Atticus, who was found and rescued in the Northside Church building.

Jeff grew up worshipping at First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville. He attended the University of Georgia for undergrad and Candler School of Theology at Emory University for seminary. He is now pursuing a doctorate at Candler as well. He worked with the youth ministry at Colbert UMC & Lawrenceville FUMC while in school, then served as the Associate Pastor at Chamblee First UMC for three years after seminary. Jeff was appointed to Northside in the summer of 2018, and he loves being in ministry with the people here. Jeff is married to his high school sweetheart, Emily. She is an elementary school teacher and an amazing partner in ministry. They have a son, Carson, who was born in February 2019, and a daughter, Charlotte, who was born in June 2021. They are the inspiration for many sermon illustrations! In their free time they enjoy traveling, being outside, and spending time with friends and family.

Angela House grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. She attended Winthrop University for undergrad, where she felt God calling her into ministry. She attended Wesley Theological Seminary and Pfeiffer University for seminary. Angela was ordained as a Deacon in 2015. She has served as the Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor at Lithia Springs UMC. Angela has served with unhoused individuals and families at Action Ministries. She has served at St. Paul UMC as the Associate Pastor working with children and 72 Congolese refugees. Recently, she served at Sugar Hill UMC as the Associate Pastor of Children.

Angela married Stephen House on September 11, 2021. He is a law enforcement investigator. As newlyweds, they enjoy watching football, trying new foods, and growing with each other.

Rev. Sara Maughan graduated from Candler School of Theology in May 2018. Before seminary and during, Glenn Memorial UMC in Atlanta was her and her family’s home church. Because of the mentorship of the female clergy and the supportive children’s ministry at Glenn, Sara chose to pursue the deacon path and focus on children and families in her own ministry. Supporting and building a ministry of love, faith, and service for children and families is her passion, because it was a gift freely offered to her and her family.

Since graduating from Candler, Sara has served as a local pastor in North Georgia and as the Children and Youth Minister at Inman Park UMC. She was commissioned as a Deacon in June of 2021 and joined the Children’s Ministry team at Northside in August of 2021.

Sara and her husband, Chris, were high school sweethearts and have three children. John, 20, is a junior at UGA. Eli, 18, is a freshman at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. And, Austin, 10, is in the fifth grade at F.Ave. Elementary in Decatur. In her free time, Sara loves hanging out with her family and pets, eating good food, sleeping and laughing.

Dr. Gil served as Senior Pastor of Northside from 1994, until he retired in 2017. An Atlanta native, he began his higher education at nearby Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science, followed by a Master of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Gil was ordained an Elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1972. He and his wife Carol have three children and six grandchildren.

Rev. Douglas grew up in Johnston, SC, and was a member of Harmony United Methodist Church. Douglas earned a Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University, majoring in Religious Studies. He was actively involved in various campus ministry settings during his time at Clemson. He completed a Master of Divinity degree from Boston University School of Theology where he met his wife, Maddie. Douglas was ordained as an Elder in the South Carolina Annual Conference. He has previously served as Associate Pastor at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken, SC. He has recently served as Pastor in Charge at Old Camp United Methodist Church.

Douglas and Maddie were married in May 2023. Maddie is a Provisional Deacon who serves as the Christian Chaplain in the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life at Emory University.

His favorite hobbies include hunting, fishing, playing guitar, and reading. Douglas and Maddie love college football, camping, and spending time with family and friends.

Rev. Sara Maughan graduated from Candler School of Theology in May 2018. Before seminary and during, Glenn Memorial UMC in Atlanta was her and her family’s home church. Because of the mentorship of the female clergy and the supportive children’s ministry at Glenn, Sara chose to pursue the deacon path and focus on children and families in her own ministry. Supporting and building a ministry of love, faith, and service for children and families is her passion, because it was a gift freely offered to her and her family.

Since graduating from Candler, Sara has served as a local pastor in North Georgia and as the Children and Youth Minister at Inman Park UMC. She was commissioned as a Deacon in June of 2021 and joined the Children’s Ministry team at Northside in August of 2021.

Sara and her husband, Chris, were high school sweethearts and have three children. John, 20, is a junior at UGA. Eli, 18, is a freshman at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. And, Austin, 10, is in the fifth grade at F.Ave. Elementary in Decatur. In her free time, Sara loves hanging out with her family and pets, eating good food, sleeping and laughing.