GLPC Staff

Rev. Mark S. Bryan, Ph.D.

PASTOR

The Reverend Mark S. Bryan, Ph.D. has served as an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. for over 34 years. He lived in Evron, Israel and studied Hebrew culture and language in an extension of the University of Haifa, received his Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and completed his Ph.D. in Tanach/Old Testament at the University of Sheffield, England.  Dr. Bryan is internationally known as an inspirational preacher, but he is also recognized as one of a handful of Ezekielian scholars in the world. He has a deep passion for the God and scriptures of the Judeo-Christian faith and in his preaching and teaching is able through the Holy Spirit to draw his listeners into the depths of God’s word. Dr. Bryan is happily married to his friend and soul mate, Robin Bryan.

Jeffrey Nelson

 PIANIST/ORGANIST

Celebrating his 20th year as a church organist this year, Jeffrey and his wife and daughter came to Glen Leven in 2016.  He is a "PK" (pastor's kid), Eagle Scout and skilled at chess and sand volleyball.  He works in the music publishing field, representing several hit writers and publishing companies.  He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University (Decatur, IL)

Sara Chang 

WORSHIP LEADER

 Sara has been singing professionally since she was 5 years old.  She spent her childhood singing in the studio with Christian artists such as Steve Green and Michael W. Smith among others.  Sara continued her singing at MTSU and moved to New York City after graduation where she joined the Grammy-award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  She has sung pretty much everywhere from the Ryman to Carnegie Hall.  Currently, Sara sings in the Nashville Symphony Chorus and Portara Ensemble.  You can typically find Sara singing in a choir or leading Beer and Hymns Nashville.

Karen Ballew

WORSHIP LEADER

Karen Ballew’s ethereal voice and poetry invites her listeners into a space of awe and wonder. She began learning the harp and songs in the Irish language at the annual O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, developing her own unique voice along the way. Since 2014, Karen has been asked to teach the Gaelic singing workshops at this retreat. She loves connecting with others and sharing this beautiful tradition!
In Dallas, Karen also sang with a global Christian worship ensemble, sharing biblical songs from around the world. This was a very meaningful experience for Karen and has greatly shaped her voice as an artist and songwriter!
In 2013, Karen was presented the opportunity to create and direct a youth chorus for The North Texas School of Irish Music. Together, she and her students learned more about the old style (sean nós) singing and enjoyed sharing songs in the Irish language with audiences throughout the DFW area. They also traveled to Donegal, Ireland to visit their sister school, participate in classes, sightsee, and take a singing workshop with Moya Brennan!
In 2018, Karen studied singing with Éilís Kennedy at the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat. Since then, Éilís has become a great mentor and friend to Karen! Karen is so grateful for the opportunity to hear stories from Éilís and learn more about Irish language and culture.
After moving to Nashville in 2017 with my husband Brad,  I began writing and recording original songs with her band The Deer’s Cry. They are named after an old Irish prayer (St. Patrick’s Breastplate) and draw inspiration from Irish, Bluegrass, Jazz, and other genres. The band released their first album, Rise with the Dawn, in 2020 and their second album, Heal the Heart, in 2022.

Debbie Ferguson

DAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Debbie Ferguson joined the field of early childhood education in 1991 as a parent and substitute teacher for Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School, Nashville, Tennessee.  Debbie quickly moved from a substitute teacher to part-time, then to full time and eventually was asked to serve as Director.  Debbie received her early childhood education at Nashville State Community College and through TECTA (Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance).

 In 2018 Debbie was requested by the Governor of TN to hold a seat on the Department of Human Services Board of Review which Debbie currently serves.  Debbie served as SECA President Elect in 2019 and in 2020/2021 Debbie presided over 14 states in the southeast to address concerns that educators of young children experience in the South.