Pastoral Leadership and Staff

Allison Per-Lee

Senior Pastor

 Allison Per-Lee was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia, Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and Columbia Theological Seminary. She has been in ministry in the Presbyterian Church her entire life, serving at Friendship Presbyterian in Athens, Overbrook Presbyterian in Richmond, Virginia, Decatur Presbyterian Church, and First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. Allison was called to Westminster in 2015 as the Interim Pastor and was called as the Senior Pastor in 2017. Allison’s strengths are in pastoral ministry and in ministry to youth and young adults. She is deeply committed to global mission and has served in Honduras since 1990. Allison and her husband Phil currently live in Decatur, GA. They have two adult daughters, Claire and Laura. 

George Rogers

Pastoral Staff

 George Rogers is a native of Kentucky.  He attended Pikeville College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Ordained by the UPCUSA in 1980, George pastored churches in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas, and Georgia, and served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves.  In 2018 the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta granted him Honorably Retired status.  In 2019 he came out of retirement to join Westminster’s pastoral staff.  George assists in worship, preaches monthly, leads weekly Bible studies, liaises the Westminster Men and the Adult Christian Ministry Committee, and serves as videographer and video editor.  He has participated in mission trips to Belize, Peru, Honduras, and Cuba.  He and his wife Rita live in Monroe, GA. They have 2 married daughters and 5 grandsons. 

Nick Benson

Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Nick Benson was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia. He is a sophomore at Kennesaw State University, with an undecided major. He is seriously considering an education major and interested in Youth Ministry. Nick has been a camp counselor for the past 6 years at a YMCA camp, Camp High Harbour. He grew up at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta where he was elected a Youth Elder. Nick joined the Westminster Staff in October 2020. He enjoys playing golf, painting, and cooking. Nick is a BIG Georgia Bulldogs fan as well as a Braves fan. Nick writes, “I cannot wait to get to know the youth and children of Westminster and grow with them.” Nick is the son of John Benson and Stephanie Fields. He is the brother to Allie Benson. 

Mark Belloto

Director of Music Ministries

Mark A. Belloto, CAGO is a native of Youngstown, Ohio where he began his musical studies on the accordion at an early age. He earned a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. Mark also holds both the Service Playing Certificate and the Colleague Certificate from the American Guild of Organists of which he is an active member. In addition, he is also a certified music teacher and has taught General, Vocal and Instrumental Music in both the private and public schools. Mark came to Westminster in 2018 from Lawrenceville Road UMC as Music Director/Organist and Pianist and the Atlanta Public Schools as a certified music teacher. 

Henry Hadden

Organist

Henry Hadden was born and raised in Georgia. He graduated from Gilmer High School, Reinhardt College, and Brenau University. He is an accomplished organist, pianist, and keyboardist. He is retired from Gwinnett County Public Schools as a teacher. Henry has a vast knowledge of music and has played for musicals, weddings, funerals, with praise teams, and many many worship services. He has been a substitute for Westminster as well as several other local churches. He is one of two children with one sister. He also has a daughter and son-in-law. We are THRILLED that Henry has joined our staff. He is an amazing person and musician.

Raymond Reynolds

Financial Manager

Raymond Reynolds is originally from Sparta, Georgia. He moved back to Georgia in 2014 after spending over 20 years in Houston, Texas where he operated a small accounting and financial services business. Raymond is a former Captain in the US Army and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Sam Houston State University and a BA degree in Accounting from Albany State University. Raymond joined Westminster staff in 2016 and he feels truly blessed to have the opportunity to share his God given gifts and talents with Westminster Presbyterian Church. He is married to Felicia and they currently reside in Lawrenceville, GA along with their two daughters, Haley and Hannah. 

Stephanie Evans

Westminster Children’s Weekday Ministries (WCWM) Director

Stephanie Evans was born and raised in California. She began her early childhood education career 20 years ago by earning a leadership director degree. She is currently working on her CDA designation. Stephanie came to Westminster from the Kids ‘R’ Kids University Center. She joined the staff of WCWM as Assistant Director in June of 2016. “I have always loved children and knew the day I walked into the first preschool that early childhood was my calling. I love watching the children grow from infancy to being a preschooler. I love being part of who the children become.” Stephanie is married to her high school sweetheart, Tim, and they have two grown sons, Timmy and Chase. Timmy, resides in Illinois and Chase, is a United States Marine. currently stationed in North Carolina. 

Allie LaFay

Office Manager

Allie was born and raised in Snellville, GA, attended South Gwinnett High School (’08), and graduated from the University of Georgia (2012). She is married to Chris LaFay, and they have one furry dependent, Daisy. After spending eight years teaching preschool around Gwinnett County, she heard God calling her to a new field – which is how she found herself at WPC! She hopes to continue to grow her skills, meet the wonderful people of Westminster, and glorify God daily. Come meet the new smiling face behind the WPC desk today!

Shirley Yearwood

Director of Calvin Cove

When the opportunity arose for Shirley to become the Director of Calvin Cove Community Respite for Caregivers, she felt that her faith and years of preparation had finally aligned. With over three decades of diverse experience, including corporate work, teaching, caring for adults with mental challenges, and serving in the US Military, Shirley brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Despite being divorced, she cherishes her role as a mother to two adult children and a grandmother to two teenagers aged 16 and 17.

Shirley possesses a comforting and pleasing personality that naturally puts others at ease. Her qualities of compassion, care, empathy, and love make her a devoted servant and leader. Her true passion lies in helping others, especially the elderly and those grappling with declining memory. This devotion was further deepened when Shirley retired to care for her frail and dementia-stricken mother, who passed away in 2020.

Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shirley continued her commitment to serving the community. She volunteered with the Atlanta Regional Commissioner’s Office of Aging, reaching out to isolated and homebound adults, providing companionship, and connecting them with essential resources. Shirley’s unwavering dedication is an inspiration to all who have the privilege of knowing her, and she believes that this role as Director is a divine calling at this juncture in her life