About Our Interim Pastor,
Rev. Gail Perkins
(E-mail: gperkins@rspc.org)

The Interim Pastor Search Committee accomplished its task and our Session approved the recommendation to call the Rev. Gail Perkins as our Interim Pastor starting November 5, 2007. She came to us from Little Rock, AR. RSPC is her 4th Interim Pastor position. She is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary with over 20 years of ordained service, including Associate Pastor at Decatur Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA and Chaplain of Georgia Baptist Medical Center, which is now Tenet Medical. Gail preached her first sermon at Rock Spring on November 18. We are very excited to welcome Gail into the RSPC Family and to have her leadership. We express gratitude to the members of the Interim Pastor Search Committee: Pat Allen, Patrick Gilbert, and John Ulp.

Question – Tell us a little about yourself…

I was born in Chicago, Illinois and baptized in the Reformed Church (Dutch). When I was 2 years old, the family joined PCUS in Louisville, KY (virtually a “cradle” Presbyterian). We lived in Louisville, KY, Tulsa, OK and in the 4th grade moved to Tuscaloosa, AL. I grew up there and went to college at the University of Alabama. After college, I earned my Masters degree at Presbyterian School of Christian Education where I met and married. We had two children and moved several times. We lived in AR, VA, GA, Mass., NC and SC. From Camden, SC, I moved to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary. I was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1987 in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. In 1996, I moved to the Presbytery of Arkansas. I have two children: Kathryn Deane Chambless ( Atlanta, GA) and William Deane, Jr. ( Long Creek, SC). I am blessed to have two grandchildren, Abigail and Zachary Chambless.

Question – What degrees do you have?

* University of Alabama – Home Economics Education (1961)
* Presbyterian School of Christian Education – MA in Bible & Christian Education (1963)
* Columbia Theological Seminary – Mdiv (1987)

Question – What has been your Presbytery involvement?

For the Greater Atlanta Presbytery, I have served on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and Peacemaking Committee.

With the Presbytery of Arkansas, I have served on the Nominating Committee, Long-Range Planning Committee, Task Force for Presbytery Office Relocation, General Presbyter Nominating Committee (Clerk), Moderator of Committee on Care and Nurture of Church Professionals,(2001-2003), Vice-Moderator of Presbytery (2004), Moderator of Presbytery (2005), Moderator of General Council of Presbytery (2006), Administrative Committee Member (2007) and Search Committee for Stated Clerk (2007).

Question – How would you summarize your professional experience?

* Home Economics teacher in Hardy, Arkansas – one year (1963-64)
* 20 years as housewife and stay-at-home mom: I was a part-time church secretary in two different churches ( Falls Church, VA and Madison, NC). I did substitute teaching in grammar, middle and high schools in Camden, South Carolina.
* As a laywoman, I was actively involved in the PW organization as Bible Moderator for many years at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden, SC and was ordained as deacon.
* 6 years as Associate Pastor, Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, GA
* 2 year Internship in Clinical Pastoral Education, (Chaplaincy training) at Georgia Baptist Medical Center, Atlanta. This is now Atlanta Medical Center owned by Tenent. My specialty in ministry was with oncology patients and their families.
* 6 months as Chaplain of Georgia Baptist Cancer Center
* 8 years as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Arkadelphia, AR
* 1 year as Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Morrilton, AR
* 1 year as Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Harrison, AR
* 1 year as Interim Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, AR