2023 camp leaders
Rev. dr. byron thomas
PREACHER
Rev. Dr. Byron Thomas is the District Superintendent of the Central South District in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. His district covers DeKalb, Henry, Newton, and Rockdale Counties. He has served as a senior pastor at Ben Hill UMC and Central UMC in Atlanta, as well as in various leadership roles in the North Georgia Conference and the Southeastern Jurisdiction.
Rev. Dr. Thomas is a veteran of the United States Air Force and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy from Virginia Union University, a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at SMU, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching from McCormick Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. Thomas has been awarded the Malone Dodson Award given by the Foundation of Wesley Woods to a clergyperson who best exemplifies visionary and committed leadership with respect to older adults. He is married to DuWanna and they have two sons.
Rev. Dr. Leslie holmes
PREACHER
Dr. Leslie Holmes is the current Pastor of Thomson Presbyterian Church and former Provost & Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Theology at Erskine Theological Seminary. Dr. Holmes also served as past Moderator of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He has over 40 years of experience as a pastor, leading congregations ranging from 30 to 4,300 members in several US states. He is an author and contributing editor of 20 books and hundreds of articles in professional journals, including Preaching: The Professional Journal for Those Who Preach God’s Word, and Ministry Magazine. Dr. Holmes is also an accomplished brass player, having been a professional trumpeter before becoming a pastor. He sometimes plays in worship services.
Dr. Holmes holds a BA from the University of Mobile, M. Div from Reformed Theological Seminary, D. Min from Columbia Theological Seminary, and Ph.D. from Ecole Supérieure Sorbonne. He has also been awarded an honorary LLD from Grove City College. He and his wife, Barbara, emigrated from Northern Ireland to the US in 1967 and have two children and two granddaughters.
Mr. Thomas Roberts
MUSIC DIRECTOR & PLATFORM LEADER
Mr. Roberts has been our music director and platform leader since 1989. He serves as an Environmental Consultant and owns and operates recycling companies in Florida. Mr. Roberts has also served as full-time director of music in United Methodist and Presbyterian churches from 1966 to 1992. He and his wife, Susan, served as the directors of the Chancel Choir at Christ Church United Methodist in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, from 1998 to 2007. During the fall of 2009 through January 2010, Tom served as Interim Director of the Chancel Choir of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Tom and Susan reside in Coral Springs, Florida and are members of Coral Springs FUMC. Their daughter Catherine, her husband Michael Givens and grandson Thomas Drake (T.D.) live across the street.
Alice Walker & Becky RamseY
DUO-PIANISTS
Alice Walker and Becky Ramsey, identical twins, are originally from Atlanta. They both hold BA degrees from Agnes Scott College, and have earned two certifications from the American Guild of Organists, Colleague and Associate (CAGO). Playing duets together since the age of five, they have been pianists at Salem Campground since 1971.
Alice is Organist and Director of the Ambassador Choir and Handbell Choir at First Presbyterian Church, Covington, where she is also Moderator of Presbyterian Women.
Becky is Director of Music for Seniors at Covington First Methodist Church, Director of Spiritual Growth for United women of Faith, and Sunday School Teacher for Adults.
Alice and Becky are Co-Founders and Co-Directors of the Singing Ambassadors Choir of Covington.
SHANNON TIDWELL
YOUTH DIRECTOR
Shannon has been attending Salem Camp Meeting since 2005 and part of her heart stays here year-round! She works full-time in the telecommunications industry and is a wife and mother of three children and two fur children that “keep her young”. Shannon has been serving in youth ministry for 7 years at Clear Creek Church of Christ in Chattanooga, TN where she has been a member for over 20 years. Her passion for working with youth has taken her on many different paths outside of ministry as well: Girl Scout Troop leader, Soccer Coach, Junior Achievement, literacy tutoring, and even substitute teaching! In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, and being outdoors either hiking or Stand-Up Paddleboarding. She hopes to one day thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.
JOSH Reaves
YOUTH DIRECTOR
Josh is a husband, father, gamer, drummer, and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus. Josh has been in and around youth ministry for the last 13 years. Currently, Josh works as a missionary to teenagers. He uses video games to reach young people and he is a basketball coach for a local public school in Chattanooga, TN. Josh enjoys movies, gaming, streaming, playing games with friends, and playing basketball for fun and competitively in a local sports league in Chattanooga.