Leadership

Karen received her Master of Divinity from Emory University – Candler School of Theology in 2009 and was ordained in 2011 in the United Methodist Church of South Carolina. Her leadership includes service as a UMC Jurisdictional Conference delegate in 2022, UMC General Conference delegate in 2024, SCUMC Board of Ordained Ministry member, former UMCSC Chair of the Order of Deacons, former member of the Spartanburg County Foundation – Community Thanksgiving Committee, and leader of many local and international mission trips. Karen spent most of her ministerial career in Christian Education and is passionate about helping others live into the Greatest Commandment, but especially the part that tells us to love God with our minds.

Karen is married to Andy, who is also ordained in the United Methodist Church and is a chaplain at Bon Secours – St. Francis Hospital. They have two young children, a son, and a daughter. Together, they enjoy visiting local parks and trails with their dog Waldo.

Tish has joyfully served as a church musician since childhood. Having earned a doctorate in
music from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, her areas of
expertise include Choral/Sacred Music, Voice Pedagogy and Performance, Jazz Studies, and
Musicology. She sings professionally with symphonies, big bands, and small ensembles, and her
solo performance tours have taken her throughout the United States and Europe. A published
author, conductor, composer, recording artist, and arranger, Dr. Gabor has presented hundreds
of concerts, conference presentations, workshops, and master classes as a touring/visiting
artist. A former music professor at several universities, she chairs the mentoring committee for
the Jazz Education Network Research Interest Group and is on the editorial board for the peer-
reviewed journal, Jazz Education in Research and Practice, as well as the National Association of
Teachers of Singing/Rowman & Littlefield Books Program.

Tish is happily married to George, and enjoys gardening, teaching music, and walking their dog.

Jana was born and raised in Greenville, SC and is a lifelong United Methodist. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History from The University of South Carolina and her Masters of Science in Nonprofit Leadership and Youth Development from Clemson University. Through her position on staff at Open Hearts, Jana supports the vision and mission of the church by overseeing the overall business operations of the church. Jana comes to OHUMC having served in various UMC churches and ministries in both South Carolina and Georgia.

Jana and her husband Randy met while working at the SC UMC Summer Camp, Asbury Hills. Randy works as VP of Development for a Multi-family Real Estate Development firm. Together they have two daughters, Eleanor and Collins. In her free time, Jana enjoys cheering on the Gamecocks, exploring Greenville, and practicing yoga.

Elliott originally grew up in Greenville and developed a keen interest in classical music from an early age. His interest ultimately led him to Furman University where he earned an undergraduate degree in piano. He then went on to the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a masters degree in both piano and conducting. He completed his doctoral work in conducting at the University of Notre Dame before returning to Greenville, where he met and resides with his wife Jeanette and daughter Amara. Elliott has worked with several churches in the Greenville area as well as Hillcrest High School Concert Choral. Today Elliott is the Choir Director at the Governor’s School. As an accomplished musician in many areas, Elliott’s passion for piano and conducting has grown over the years to include organ as well.

Zahria is excited to be serving the children of Open Hearts through the nursery ministry each Sunday morning! Professionally, Zahria serves as a Preschool Teacher, teaching the K4 class, at the Augusta Road Baptist Church Preschool: Open Hearts Campus.