Our Team
Our team is made up of passionate and dedicated leaders—pastors, ministry helpers, and staff—who serve our church family with heart and purpose.
Senior Pastor
Mike Day, Ph.D
Mike Day is a Georgia native who grew up in Dekalb and Gwinnett counties. He graduated from Parkview High School and then completed a Bachelor degree in Accounting at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He earned his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 1986, he married his college sweetheart, Leigh Anne. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner who works in Gainesville. They have three children—Erin, Robin, and Stephen—and are also blessed with two granddaughters. Mike was called to pastor his first church in 1981 while a junior in college. He has served churches in Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana and Georgia.
In 1997, Mike was asked to start a new church in the growing south Hall, north Gwinnett area. In the early years, Celebration Church met at Friendship Elementary School near I-985. In 2002, Celebration moved to the current campus on Thompson Mill Road near Reunion, Deaton Creek and Chateau Elan Subdivisions.
Whether he is leading his church, preaching a sermon or engaging with people in the community, Mike loves the opportunity to inspire people to live out all God desires them to be.
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Melissa Perry
Associate Pastor
Melissa was born and raised in Southern California, but made Georgia her home in the late 90s. A graduate of Toccoa Falls College (B.A.) and Liberty University (M.A.), she is currently pursuing her MDiv at McAfee School of Theology through Mercer University.
Her professional journey has always been rooted in teaching, serving, and helping others, whether through her work in the church or in the classroom. Melissa has a deep passion for spending time in nature—especially in prayer—and for sharing God's boundless love with others.
Since marrying her husband, Jason, in 1998, their lives have been anything but dull. Together, they have three boys who brighten her days and two dogs who bring a little extra excitement into the mix. Melissa finds joy in books, coffee, 90s country music, nature photography, and most of all, in the company of others.
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Jennifer Davis
Discipleship Pastor
Jennifer was born in New Jersey but spent most of her formative years in Lilburn, GA. Jennifer graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2001 and married her husband, Matt, the following year. Over the years, they have added four kids to their crew, and every day has been an adventure ever since! Jennifer enjoys pizza, reading, writing, hiking, and playing board games with her family (they do not share this love).
Jennifer loves people and serving and has done so in many roles, from that of a high school English teacher to an officer in the Air Force and finally a Children’s Ministry Director. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Children’s and Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary in 2018. Jennifer finds no greater joy than sharing God’s story with those of any age.
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Ryan Nelson
Student Pastor
Ryan grew up outside of Denver, CO. After graduating high school, he went to school in Chicago, IL at North Park University. Upon completing his degree in Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies in 2008, he moved to Georgia and started working in Youth Ministry at a church in Duluth, GA. Ryan and his wife Brittany married in 2013 and have three daughters. They enjoy having a night in and watching some of their favorite TV shows like The Amazing Race, Survivor, or watching their favorite football teams the Auburn Tigers and the Denver Broncos. In December of 2014, Ryan completed his Masters of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has a heart and passion for Student Ministry and enjoys helping students grow deeper in their faith in God.
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Jolie Sims
Family Pastor
Jolie grew up close by in Gwinnett County and went to college at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). There she met her husband, Keifer, and completed a degree in English & Criminal Justice. After college she worked in the financial industry for 16 years. Having volunteered in our children’s area for many years, Jolie left the corporate world behind in 2014 to pursue her heart and a calling into Children’s Ministry, and became the full time Children's Minister at Celebration in December of 2014. She has continued her ministry education through the Engage program of INCM and Bethel Seminary, receiving a certificate degree in Children's Ministry and Family Ministry. Her heart is truly for kids and families, and she knows the importance of giving them a safe and trusted place to connect with God. She loves kids and loves to teach them about Jesus.
Jolie and Keifer have two kids - a daughter in college at Auburn University (War Eagle!) and a teenage son at Cherokee Bluff High School. Their family loves spending time together watching movies or playing games. Their favorite thing to do is a trip to Disney World or the beach. You can also find Jolie and her family in front of the TV on college football game days.
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Zac Martin
Contemporary Worship Pastor
Zac has a passion for music and a heart for worship. Zac has a wife, a son and three daughters, and a paradoxical love of both nature and technology. In his spare time, he enjoys reading science fiction, binge-watching streaming television, and talking about things that happened in the ’90s.
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Bobby Ivey
Traditional Worship Pastor
A music educator since 1980, Bobby has spent most of his career being bi-vocational, teaching chorus in schools and serving as music director and/or worship leader in various churches. After 30 years of teaching in public schools, he accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Music Education at Brenau University where he taught for 10 years. He is currently Associate Director of Choirs and Fine Arts Facilitator at Piedmont University. Bobby and his wife, Tammy, have two married daughters and 5 grandchildren. They moved to Hoschton in December, 2017, to be closer to grandchildren and they quickly plugged in at Celebration Church through the choir and the children’s ministry. Bobby enjoys using his musical gifts for God’s glory and is glad to serve as traditional worship pastor.
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Linda Boushelle
Administration
Linda is the ringmaster for all things at Celebration Church. When not being beckoned by the Pastor, Linda dreams about riding off into the sunset in a Jaguar XKR supercharged, convertible.
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Kelly Fons
Communications
Kelly grew up in Dublin, Ohio and moved to the Atlanta area after marrying her husband, Greg, in 2003. They have two sons and a very loved family dog. Before having kids, Kelly worked in the hospital ICU as a Respiratory Therapist, caring for patients and families in some of their most critical moments.
Today, she’s grateful for the season of ministry God has led her into as Communications Director, helping tell the stories of what He’s doing in and through Celebration Church. Kelly loves writing, cheering on her boys, and finding new adventures to share with her family.
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Mackenzie Knowles
Student Intern
Mackenzie has lived here in Hoschton her whole life! She is currently a Junior at the University of North Georgia, preparing for a future in ministry. She serves as the Youth Intern, working with both middle and high school students, and has heart for missions!
Mackenzie loves building relationships with students, encouraging them in their walk with Jesus, and leading bible studies! She loves music, baking, sunsets and spending time with her dog, Rusty.