Dr. G.J. (JoJo) Thomas

Associational Mission Strategists

Dr. G.J. (Jojo) Thomas came to serve as Associational Missionary in May 2005. Prior to his ministry with CBA, he served 23 years as founding pastor of Annistown Road Baptist Church in Snellville, Georgia. That experience solidified a love for church growth, church planting, and pastors. He and his wife, Debbie, are blessed with 3 wonderful sons, and eight BEAUTIFUL grandchildren! Dr. Thomas is a graduate of University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Doctorate of Ministry.

Jackie Powers

Good Samaritan Executive Director

Jackie Powers serves as Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Food Ministries. Jackie came to CBA in January 2021. Prior to that, she worked as an Executive Assistant at a local church and served other areas in our local community. She has been involved with Good Samaritan as a volunteer, Chair of the Vision Team, and most recently a Board of Trustees member. Jackie and her husband, David, have been married for over 38 years and are active members at Corinth Baptist Church. They have three married children and seven grandchildren. She is a graduate of North Georgia College and State University in Business Administration.

Rev. Ruben D. Perea

Ethnic Church Starter/Strategist

Rev. Ruben D. Perea serves part-time as the Ethnic Church Starter/Strategist. He serves on staff at a local, Hispanic church. Ruben is originally from Cali, Colombia. He moved to the United States in 1985 and gave his life to Christ after moving to Georgia in 1986. He and his wife Patricia have one daughter.

Connie Johnson

Ministry Assistant & Women’s Team Director

Connie Johnson began serving as CBA’s secretary and CCM Assistant in February 2008. She also serves with the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) and Women’s Ministry of both the CBA and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board as Women’s Adult Equipper from 2013-2017. Connie and her husband, Randy, are members of First Baptist Church Lula, where he serves as pastor. They are blessed with 3 beautiful daughters and 8 wonderful grandchildren.

MaryBeth Jackson

Office Manager & Ministry Support

MaryBeth Jackson joined the CBA staff in August 2024. She previously served at a local church for five years as Girls Minister on the student ministry team. MaryBeth provides support to pastors’ wives, student pastors, and women serving in ministry. She also takes the lead on the CBA’s foster care initiative in raising awareness for foster care and mobilizing churches to take action. She is married to her husband, Cam, and they are expecting their first child in June 2025! MaryBeth holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of North Georgia and a Master’s Degree in Religion and Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University.

Frank Greenway

Senior Adult Ministry Volunteer

Frank Greenway began serving in October 2010 as CBA’s Project Coordinator and Senior Adult Leader volunteer. He has been actively involved in his local church serving as a Deacon, Sunday School Director, and Facilities Director. Currently, he is an active member at Lakewood Baptist Church. Frank worked for Georgia Natural Gas for 23 years and was self-employed for 20 years. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He uses his retirement time to volunteer, travel, gardening, and spending time with family. He and his wife, Joann, have two grown children and one grandson and one granddaughter.

Rob Zwemke

New Work Foundation Chairman

In 2001, Rod left a career in engineering to pursue full-time ministry. After earning a seminary education and serving on a large church staff, God placed a bold vision on his heart—to start a church from the ground up. That vision became Crossroads Church of Jackson County, where he continues to serve and lead.

Here at the CBA, Rod plays a key role in supporting new churches across Northeast Georgia as the Chairman of the New Work Foundation, which helps plant and support new churches in the region. His passion for expanding the Gospel drives his commitment to equipping and encouraging church leaders.

Rod has been married to his wife, Gabrian, for over 20 years, and together they have three kids.

Andy Shorthill

Advisor and Consultant

Andy Shorthill is the President and Chief Advisor of Advantage Ministry Partners LLC, where he helps local churches thrive by providing expert guidance in business best practices, church administration, community engagement, and more. With over 25 years of experience managing Fortune 500 client relationships and more than a decade in full-time ministry, Andy brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to the CBA, serving as a trusted advisor to the team.

Andy and his wife, Janine, live in Jefferson, Georgia. Together, they raised their daughter, Emily, who is now married to her wonderful husband, Ben. Beyond their own family, Andy and Janine have been blessed to foster two teenage brothers, who are now grown and building beautiful families of their own.