Our Team
Habersham County
THOMAS & SAMANTHA BURNETT
Area Director
& Administrative Assistant
My name is Thomas Burnett, born in Spartanburg, SC, in 1980. Shortly after birth, my family relocated to Jackson County, GA, where I spent my formative years and eventually graduated from Commerce High School in 1999. During my time there, I was active in sports, playing football and participating in track and field, specifically throwing shot put and discus.
In the summer of 1998, a pivotal moment reshaped my life when I surrendered to Christ. This profound experience instilled in me a strong calling to devote my life to full-time ministry after high school.
Fast forward to 2007, I married my wonderful wife, Samantha, in Fort Payne, Alabama. Together, we followed in obedience to a calling to ministry full-time. Our family grew with the addition of three beautiful children: Ela ('08), Harley ('09), and Bryce ('13).
In 2020, after serving in church ministry for 8 years, I felt a shift in my ministry journey and resigned from full-time pastoral work. I stepped into a new calling with FCA, where I now serve as the Area Director for Habersham, Rabun, and Stephens County in North Georgia. My family and I have been rooted in Habersham County for over a decade, actively living in and serving our community.
Samantha is an integral part of our ministry, serving as a Georgia Mountains FCA Administrative Assistant. Additionally, she teaches high school Special Education in Habersham County, passionately supporting students both in and out of the classroom throughout the year.
APRIL AKRIDGE
My name is April Akridge. I am a coach's wife of eighteen years, former school teacher, and a mother to four very active boys. Over the past several years my husband, Chris, and I, along with our boys, have participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes camps and huddles as a coaching family. Since being involved with FCA, we have seen firsthand the impact FCA can have on the coach, family, and athlete.
After years of thinking and praying about joining the FCA team, in the fall of 2021, I become an Area Representative for Habersham FCA. As an area rep, I serve and minister to all of our female coaches, athletes, and coaches' wives in Habersham county.
I love the Lord and sharing His love with others. I also love Habersham athletics! Being in this role as an Area Rep with Habersham FCA combines these two loves into my dream job.
Lacey Gragg
Ambassador & Administrative Assistant
My name is Lacey Gragg. I moved from the Blue Ridge Mountains after God called me to Habersham County in 2023. Currently, I am a part-time Kitchen Garden consultant and part-time administration & ministry staff with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. My involvement with FCA began in high school and continued throughout college, where I discovered my passion for ministry and mentorship.
Before settling in Habersham, I had the opportunity to work part-time with FCA in Fannin County for a year. Now in my third year in Habersham, I am excited to continue this journey through FCA.
My passion is to reach the lost with the gospel and to encourage discipline and authentic walks of faith for fellow followers of Jesus. It is truly a privilege to work with high school and college-aged women, and I cherish every moment spent with them. I am incredibly thankful to be a part of this amazing team, and I look forward to what God has in store for this ministry!
Stephens County
Hannah Flowers
Area Representative
My name is Hannah Flowers. I have been a coach’s wife for almost 8 years. We have two wild littles, Porter (4) & Ada Claire (1), and a third on the way. Throughout our marriage we have been blessed to serve in a volunteer capacity with FCA and to be served by FCA as a coaching family. As a coach’s wife I have a huge heart for athletes and coaches and view athletics as a ministry our entire family can be a part of. When the opportunity for me to come on staff with FCA arose, it seemed to be the next right thing to do. As Area Representative for Stephens County my desire is for every coach and athlete to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rabun County
Lance Courtney
Area Representative
My name is Lance Courtney. I am a husband and have been married to my wife for 22 years. I am a local pastor in my community and have been in ministry for over 25 years. I am also a former P.E. teacher, and a father to three daughters, all in different stages of life.
Athletics and Sports have been a part of my life since I was very young. From playing football in high school and college to coaching soccer the last 9 years I have seen the impact both coaches and student athletes have on the temas and community.
After I moved to Rabun County a year ago and started volunteering with FCA and began praying about joining the FCA team. I am excited to come on the team as an Area Rep. As an Area Rep., I serve and minister to all of our coaches, athletes, and schools in Rabun County.
I love Jesus and sharing His love with others. I also love Rabun County athletics! Being in this role as an Area Rep with Rabun FCA combines these two loves into my dream job.
Towns County
Kaila Reece
Area Director
My name is Kaila Reece. I have been on staff with FCA for many years now after teaching 8th grade math at Rabun County Middle School and coaching basketball there.
A for my college career, I attended and graduated from Young Harris College in 2018.
My favorite part of FCA is that it allows me to disciple young women--to teach them who the Lord is, who they are in Him, and how to help others experience the same.
Georgia Miller
Area Representative
My name is Georgia Miller, and I’m originally from South Georgia. I moved to the mountains to attend Young Harris College, where I interned with FCA and discovered a deep love for ministry with college students in sports environments.
I now serve as an FCA Area Representative at Young Harris College, and my favorite part of the role is walking closely with students through discipleship—celebrating their growth, asking hard questions together, and watching their faith become their own.
College was a deeply formative season for me, and it is so formative for most students at that stage. Getting to walk alongside them, encourage them, and point them toward Christ as they navigate this season of life is something I’m truly grateful for.
Our Board of Directors
Chairman:
Stevie & Alice Stevens
Brad and Lauren Crane
Ben & Katie
Jordan
Adam and Sam Pipkin
Matt and Jenn
Smith
Kelly & Melissa Woodalls
Scott and Holly
Smith
Tom and Connie Wilbanks
Harold & Angelia Pickett
Grant & Alice Gunter
Alan & Angelia Baker
