Our team
Mike Day, Ph.D. - Senior Pastor
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.
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.
Melissa Perry - Associate Pastor
Melissa was born and raised in Southern California, but became a GA girl in the late 90's. She is a graduate of Toccoa Falls College (B.A.) and Liberty University (M.A.). Her work experience has always included some sort of ministry, whether working for the church or teaching in schools. Melissa's heart beats fast for God's Word and teaching people the goodness and truth found within. She married her husband, Jason, in 1998. Together, they have three boys and a dog that makes her smile daily. Books, coffee, and time with people bring her happiness and she still stands in awe at every sunrise or sunset she sees.
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.
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 a two year old daughter. They enjoy having a night in and watching some of their favorite TV shows like The Amazing Race, Survivor, or the Goldberg’s or 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.
Jolie Sims - Family Pastor
Jolie and her husband, Keifer, live here in Hoschton and have two children about whom they are crazy! A proud Georgia Bulldawg, Jolie graduated from the University of Georgia in 1997. Having volunteered in our children’s area for many years, Jolie left the corporate world behind after 16 years to pursue her heart and a calling into Children’s Ministry – and she’s never looked back. Through loving relationships with our children and families, she strives to provide a place where our children can build a solid foundation of faith as they grow their relationships with Christ, all while having a blast! She can usually be found on Sundays and Wednesdays surrounded by kids with a huge smile on her face.
Tim Young - Care Team Pastor
Tim was born in 1948, became a Christian in 1972, married Cheri in 1974, and “retired “ in 2018. During that time he was a music teacher and owned an insurance agency. In 1999 he went into full-time ministry. After “retirement“, he served as a Pastoral Chaplain for the Christian & Missionary Alliance. He became Care Team Ministry Coordinator at Celebration Church in January, 2023. He and Cheri have two children: Dave and his wife Christine of Denver, CO; and Nicole Nguyen and her three children here at Celebration Church.
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.
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.
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.
Kelly Fons - Communications
Kelly grew up in Dublin, Ohio and moved to the Atlanta area after getting married in 2003. Together she and her husband, Greg, have 2 sons, a dog, and a cat. Kelly worked in the hospital ICU as a Respiratory Therapist prior to having kids. She is enjoying the change of ministry God has brought her in the Communications role at the church. Kelly also enjoys writing and going on adventures with her family.