Karen Jones

Lead Pastor

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 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.

Jana Clack

Director of Discipleship

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 Christian Education for children, youth and adults. Jana comes to OHUMC having served UMC churches and ministries in both South Carolina and Georgia.

Jana and her husband Randy met while working at Asbury Hills, a UMC Summer Camp. Together they have two daughters, Eleanor and Collins. In her free time, Jana enjoys cheering on the Gamecocks, exploring Greenville, and practicing yoga.

Tina Majors

Church Administrator

Tina joins the Open Hearts UMC team with many years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and event planning, as well as real estate. She recently relocated from the Nashville, TN area to Greenville. She has two daughters in the Greenville area and two grandsons, and her son’s family lives in the Denver, CO area.  She’s an active volunteer in the GFWC Golden Strip Woman’s Club, an avid reader, and loves to spoil her little beagle, Annie.

Dr. Tish Oney Gabor

Director of Music Ministry

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.

Dr. Elliot Smith

Organist/Pianist

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.

Alex Payne

Maintenance

Alex has been working on the Open Hearts campus for close to 10 years – no one knows our facility better than him! Alex’s experience knows no bounds. He oversees routine and preventative maintenance for the church’s buildings, systems, event set ups and grounds. He ensures the church’s facilities are clean and well-maintained for church-goers and community member use.

Zahria Stewart

Nursery Staff

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.

Meredith Robinson

Nursery Staff

Meredith serves on Sunday mornings in the Open Hearts UMC Nursery Ministry! She enjoys working with children of all ages and caring for them in a safe, nurturing environment where they can learn about Jesus! A Greenville native, Meredith is glad to be raising her daughter, Mattie, in her hometown!

Blake Wolfe

Security Officer

Blake and his family are members here at Open Hearts, and he serves by providing a security presence on Sunday mornings when he is off duty. He works as a Master Deputy for the Greenville County Sheriffs’ Office. Officer Wolfe received the 2024 Rotary Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year Award. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lindsey and daughter, Charlotte, as well as practicing jiujutsu!