Rev. Dr. Jordan Thrasher

Starting in July of 2021, Jordan is honored to be the senior pastor of Embry Hills United Methodist Church. Jordan grew up in Athens, went to Wofford College for undergrad where he majored in History and Religion, and then continued to the Candler School of Theology for both his Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry. Jordan is married to Meredith, and they have three wonderful daughters, Georgia, Elizabeth, and Anna; and two mischievous dogs Bailey and Lucy, though sometimes the adjectives are reversed. Jordan enjoys being active, playing sports, and getting to know new people whenever he gets the chance. You can catch Jordan running, kayaking, cooking, and cheering on Atlanta United.

Laura Brisco

Laura joined the staff of Embry Hills in April 2017. Raised between Texas and Georgia, she now lives in Tucker with her husband, Jimmy, their two children, Ashton and Sam, and horde of rescued cats. She’s spent 15 years working in different churches within the Atlanta area and has grown to love the ever-changing pace of United Methodist churches. When not working, she can be found hanging out with family and friends, working as a freelance makeup artist, reading, listening to true-crime podcasts, or hiking, foraging, and camping with her family.

Linda Jimenez-Abrams

Cassie Ruiz

Starting in November of 2023, Cassie joined EHUMC as a part-time staff as the Director of Student Ministries. Cassie is a first-year student at Candler School of Theology pursuing a Master of Divinity. She is originally from Florida but recently moved to Atlanta from Birmingham, Alabama where she studied Religion and Spanish at Birmingham-Southern College. Cassie is currently in the candidacy process for ordination in the North Alabama Conference and has served several United Methodist churches within that conference. She is passionate about connecting with and empowering youth and is very excited to be joining the Embry Hills UMC community!

Dottie Hunt

Dottie Hunt is a graduate of Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance. She has served at Crossroads UMC-Conyers, and Stockbridge UMC in the North Georgia Conference and Ingleside UMC-Macon and Vineville UMC-Macon in the South Georgia Conference. Most recently, she has been a member of the 9:35 Band at Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Previously, she played keyboards with Timothy’s Burden out of Salem UMC - Covington.

Stephanie Train

Stephanie Train joined the Embry Hills UMC Staff in June 2020 as Director of Preschool and Kindergarten. An Atlanta native, Stephanie graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina with a BA in English, then headed straight back to her hometown. She taught pre-K for many years, coordinated a full-day summer camp program, and was an assistant preschool director (sometimes concurrently). Her proudest accomplishment is her beautiful, blended family and their new home in Embry Hills.

Lori Cora

Lori started at Embry Hills UMC in 2001 as financial secretary. She is a CPA in public practice as a sole proprietor and has worked in this capacity since 1984.  Lori graduated from Georgia Southern College and began her career with a small local CPA firm then with her own firm for 10 years.  In 1999, Lori sold that practice and stayed home with the kids and worked on a smaller scale at home.  She continues to do so and has grown that practice as the kids have grown. Lori grew up at Embry Hills UMC.  Her parents are members here as well.  Her dedication to her work stems from her love of the church and her church family.  Lori is married to Hector Cora, a local Atlanta attorney.  They have four kids who have all grown up at Embry Hills UMC!  In her spare time, Lori spends lots of time with her kids and her dogs.  She and her son have a small pet-sitting business that keeps them very busy as well.  She also volunteers with other non-profit organizations and churches in the area to provide accounting services.