We will welcome our new ministers on Sunday, July 13 at both worship services and there will be a welcome reception in the Family Life Hall from 10-11 a.m. Let's give them a wonderful welcome to Marietta First!
Rev. Dr. Hopper
We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Harden P. Hopper III (EMAIL) as our new Senior Minister. Pastor Harden comes to Marietta First after serving as the Senior Minister at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in East Cobb for the last eight years. Pastor Harden grew up in Cobb County and graduated from Campbell High School. He attended The University of North Georgia and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army upon graduation. During his 22 years of active duty and reserve service, he earned a Master of Strategic Studies at the US Army War College. Pastor Harden retired from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Pastor Harden served as a Regional Director for the Department of Family and Children Services in a 13-county area of Northeast Georgia. After answering the call to full-time ministry, he served as Minister for Cartecay United Methodist Church in Ellijay. During this time, he attended Asbury Theological Seminary to earn a Master of Divinity and then later a Doctorate of Ministry. Pastor Harden served as Minister at Bascomb United Methodist Church in Woodstock before his appointment at Mt. Zion United Methodist. Pastor Harden has been a Methodist minister for 20 years.
Pastor Harden is married to Karen, and they have two grown children. They like to travel, garden, and especially like to take classes through the New Orleans School of Cooking. They reside in East Cobb and are excited to be part of the MFUMC family.
Rev. Dr. Lahondra Little
We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Lahronda Little (EMAIL) as our new Associate Minister. Like Rev. Dr. Hopper, Rev. Dr. Little has come to the ministry after a start in the corporate sector. A native of Forest Park, Rev. Dr. Little has an undergraduate degree in Integrative Studies from Clayton State University in Morrow. Beginning in 2015, Rev. Dr. Little left the corporate world with a desire to utilize her rich cultural heritage to nurture and guide others back to wellness and wholeness.
She began her studies at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta in 2015 and received a Master’s Degree in Theological and Ministerial Studies. She then continued her studies at Emory University and graduated with a Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology and Spiritual Care. She teaches Spirituality and Health, and Perspectives on Salvation at the Candler School and is a published author as well. She is passionate about leading programs in spiritual formation.
Dr. Little looks forward to leading Discipleship and Pastoral Care at Marietta First. She is married to Tommy, and they have two sons who attend Clayton State University. Though their home is in Ellenwood, Georgia, they have a residence in East Cobb. Dr. Little enjoys reading, writing, yoga, and tending to her house plants. Her favorite saying and prayer is “God is faithful!!”