OPC Staff

Rev. Steven Barnes

Pastor/Head of Staff, Since April 2023

Steven has served Presbyterian churches in a variety of roles, both installed and as an interim, in Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia. In March 2020, he answered God’s call to serve as OPC’s interim pastor and guided the congregation through the pandemic and more until early April 2022. After spending a year serving as the Interim Senior Pastor at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church in Johns Creek, GA, Steven answered God’s call to serve OPC as our third installed pastor during our 20+ year history. His ministry passions include preaching and leading worship, teaching, relationship building, caregiving, administration, mission, and more.

He graduated from Austin College in Sherman, TX, in 1997, and from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, TX, in 2000. Steven and his wife, Dency, have been happily married for 21 years, and they have a lovely daughter, Nicole (20), their only child, who is a college student in Atlanta.

His personal passions include being an animal lover, especially toward his family’s 2 dogs and 3 cats, as well as for anything related to Star Wars and the University of Texas. Born and raised in Texas, he is a tried and true Texas Longhorn fan, which explains all the different burnt orange memorabilia and Star Wars items in his office.

In his leisure time, Steven enjoys running, golfing, reading, watching movies with Dency, listening to music, and watching most all sports live or on TV.

Steven@opcusa.org

Kailey Stephens

Director of Children and Youth

Kailey Stephens comes to us from the Dallas, TX, suburb of Plano, having recently graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, TX. She and her husband Austin Stephens of Sherman, TX, and together they relocated to the Watkinsville area with their dog, Cooper.

Born and raised in the PCUSA, Kailey is a child of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, where she matured in her faith, actively participated in her youth group, and learned valuable lessons for ministry during her younger years. She continued to be active in church ministry during her years at Austin College in Sherman, TX, serving as a Youth Director, Chapel Intern, and helping lead several youth conferences in a variety of roles for presbyteries, the Synod of the Sun, and the national denomination. Hearing God’s call to ordained ministry, Kailey entered seminary following her college graduation and completed her M.Div. degree in May of 2021.

Over the past 7 years, Kailey has served 3 different PCUSA congregations in Texas, gaining valuable ministry experience in working with children, youth, and families. In addition, she continues to pursue ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA.

In her leisure time, Kailey enjoys walking and playing with her dog, watching true crime shows, reading novels, and socializing with friends.

Kailey@opcusa.org

Rev. Sue Jacobson

Parish Associate

Sue has been an active and important part of OPC throughout most of the life of the congregation, having come in the early years to serve on staff at OPC as the Director of Christian Education after having been on staff at Central Presbyterian Church in Athens. In 2003, she answered God's call to ordained ministry and began her journey to become a pastor, graduating from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2008 and becoming ordained as a Minister of Word & Sacrament in 2010--all while faithfully serving OPC's children, youth, families, and more until her retirement in 2015.

Sue's existing and ongoing work of ministry at OPC in the areas of pastoral and congregational care.

sue@opcusa.org

Melissa Fulcher

Office Administrator

Melissa lives in Oconee County. She was born in Winder, GA. Married to her husband of 45 years, Ricky. They have 3 children and 5 grandkids (whom she adores). Besides enjoying spending time with her children and grandkids, she enjoys working outside in her yard, being creative and spending time volunteering at her daughters school. 

She brings to OPC over 35 years of administrator experience. 

office@opcusa.org

Dallas Bono

Director of Music

Dallas is a lyric tenor who has distinguished himself in several great opera houses in over forty leading roles. He has appeared in concert at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, and Weill Recital Hall in New York City. Dallas has also appeared as soloist for many oratorio works including Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and the Mozart Requiem Mass.

After fifteen years on the stage, he chose to leave the life of a traveling musician and moved to Athens. Prior to coming to OPC, Dallas served as the choir director at St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia for seven years. He also teaches master classes on vocal technique and interpretation and is available as an adjudicator for competitions and seminars on the art of singing. His students have received numerous awards and scholarships, and many are enjoying careers in music.

His favorite role is that of husband to his wife, Kendall, and daddy to his daughter, Chiara and son, Logan.

dallasbono@gmail.com

Alan Bunn

Accompanist    

It is my great pleasure to introduce you Oconee Presbyterian Church pianist, Alan Bunn. Alan is an exceptional addition to our church family. He has decades of experience as a church music director, pianist, and organist.

Alan Bunn was born in Columbus, GA and attended the University of Georgia. He is married to Laurie (an elementary music teacher who graduated from Shorter College), and has one daughter, Emily (a rising 9th grader at East Jackson High School). In addition to being a church musician, he retired from teaching public school general music, chorus, and musical theatre after 31 years. He is currently an adjunct instructor teaching music appreciation at Lanier Tech's Hall campus. He also maintains an active piano teaching studio at his home. He loves to travel with his family just about anywhere, but especially to state and national parks. His other hobbies include roasting coffee, hiking, and reading.

bunnman123@gmail.com

Phebe Thomas

Housekeeper