Staff
Timothy Lloyd (He, Him, His)
Senior Pastor
tim@eastsideatl.org
Timothy, originally from northern Indiana, moved to Atlanta in 2007 with his wife Elisabeth in order to study at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. Throughout graduate school he and Elisabeth experienced a growing call to create a new United Methodist presence in an urban center. They dreamt of partnering with God to create a community who would embrace progressive values while at the same time holding fast to the historic, orthodox tenets of the Christian faith. They dreamt of a community who would creatively pioneer art and music for use in worship and liturgy. They dreamt of a community who would passionately engage in acts of justice and mercy both in their local context as well as in the far reaches of our planet.
In February of 2011 Timothy was appointed by the Cabinet of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church to begin laying the groundwork for a new, creative manifestation of the Church on Atlanta's east side. In July of that year what began as a simple calling and dream became manifest in a small, renovated warehouse in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur, Georgia. A small group of about 50 or so folks gathered together on Sunday mornings to worship God, create art, enact a historic liturgy and celebrate Holy Communion. Since that time Eastside has grown to a couple hundred folks and in 2014 moved a few neighborhoods southwest to East Atlanta Village.
When resting from work in the parish Timothy and Elisabeth enjoy working on/around their East Lake house, playing with their three kids, and on the lucky nights, going out on a date.
Roxy Drew (She, Her, Hers)
Children and Arts Minister
roxy@eastsideatl.org
Roxy is a rare breed of Atlanta natives, an official "Northside Baby", and a Georgia Bulldog. After graduating from the University of Georgia in Health Promotion and Behavior, she moved back to Atlanta and married her high school sweetheart. Roxy and Kaleb are founding members of Eastside Church and Roxy has served faithfully in the children's ministry, justice ministry, and aided in opening the Community Closet and Meal Ministry. After 6 years of consulting on Worksite Wellness programs in corporate America, she felt God calling her in a new direction and has decided to focus on her passion and love for children.
Roxy and her husband have been foster parents through the United Methodist Children's Home (now WellRoot) since 2016. They have been witness to the beautiful reunification of a handful of children and currently have a biological son, an adopted son, and provide respite care for other foster families.
She has been on staff since 2017 and has focused on creating tiny disciples of the children in Eastside Church. Her dream is for all children to look forward to coming to church, to create an environment that is inclusive of all children and their needs, and to teach and empower our children to be beacon's of God's love. In addition to the Children's Ministry, Roxy is also our Arts Minister. She works alongside our Community Makers in creating all of the beautiful art you see around our building and in our services.
In her free time, she enjoys fixing up their Grant Park bungalow, implementing permaculture practices in her backyard garden and growing their homestead, which currently consists of goats, chickens, rabbits and an edible garden!
Troi Aragon-Buchanan (He, Him, His)
Admin and Worship Director
troi@eastsideatl.org
Troi, originally from Stone Mountain, was born into a musical family. He grew up on various tour buses as his family followed his father’s music career. Troi’s family eventually settled in Saint Augustine, FL where he finished school and began his own career in music. After a few years of playing in weddings bands, bar bands, restaurant bands, and every other kind of band, he settled into the role of Worship Director for Campus To City Wesley (CCW), where he would go on to serve for 6 years. It was during his time at CCW that Troi experienced his call to ministry and felt God pulling his heart and his path deeper into the ways in which we gather together in the name of Jesus. Troi met his wife and partner-to-be, Karina, while living in Saint Augustine and they married not long after Karina graduated from Flagler College. After living and working in ministry in North-East Florida for 3 years Troi and Karina moved to Atlanta in May of 2019 to pursue a church where they could build the Kingdom together and so that Karina could attend Candler School of Theology while pursuing ordination as Deacon in the UMC.
When Troi is not leading worship or playing music at a wedding you can find him at the closest movie theatre catching the newest flick, playing with his cats (Penny & Fluff), or eating Jeni’s ice cream with Karina.
Katie Farmer (She, Her, Hers)
Justice, Missions, and Core Groups Coordinator
katie@eastsideatl.org
Katie Farmer is originally from Greenville, South Carolina and is a life-long United Methodist. She has a Masters in Social Work and Certificate in Nonprofit Management from UGA and a Masters of Religion and Public Life from Candler School of Theology.
Katie attended Furman University for her undergraduate degree, and then made the move to Georgia where she found her passion to be working with faith communities and nonprofits, building bridges and helping to break cycles of poverty. She has worked with organizations working to end hunger and homelessness for more than a decade and is passionate about connecting faith communities to the needs around them.
Katie also works with Intown Collaborative Ministries here in Atlanta. Katie loves hiking, outdoor activities, and the mountains. She spends time exploring Atlanta and traveling with her husband and toddler.
Karina Aragon-Buchanan (She, Her, Hers)
Youth and Congregational Care Minister, and Communications Coordinator
karina@eastsideatl.org
Karina, a born and raised Floridian, graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelors in Special and Elementary Education. Karina began exploring her call to ministry at an Episcopal parish in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Beginning as an intern and then moving into the role as Interim Youth Director, Karina realized that she felt a deep calling to being apart of the voices that are actively working to build a safe, inclusive, and loving space within Youth Ministry.
In May of 2019, she and her partner Troi, moved to Atlanta in order for her to pursue seminary at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She is currently in the early stages of the candidacy process as she feels called to the ordained ministry of a Deacon in the UMC, and will begin her studies at Candler in the fall of 2020.
She is excited to begin her work at Eastside Church as the Youth Minister as well as partnering with the Eastside Congregational Care Team in welcoming new attendees to our church!
When she isn’t working, Karina loves exploring new parts of Atlanta, diving into her newest book purchase or crossing off another movie from her list with Troi!
