OUR STAFF

Rev. Lori Clayton Osborn

Senior Pastor

Lori is an elder and a full member of the North Georgia Conference. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology and has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Samford University. She grew up in the Avondale Estates area of Atlanta and currently resides in Alpharetta with her husband, Matt, their daughters, Lydia and Mary Katherine, and their dog, Montreat.

Suzanne Foster

Administrative Assistant

Suzanne is originally from Charlotte, N.C. She graduated from Winthrop College in 1981 and moved to Snellville, GA after marrying her husband Tim in 1983. They have two married daughters, Erin (Thomas) and Megan (Joshua) and one grandson, Jackson. Suzanne began working at Mt. Carmel in 1991 while still living in Snellville and attending Snellville UMC. Four years later, the family moved to Norcross and joined Mt. Carmel which has been the perfect church home for them, as well as a job that she loves.

Emily Thompson

Director of Student Ministries

Emily and her husband, Thad, were married at Mt. Carmel UMC in 2015, then moved to Downtown Norcross where they currently live along with their two children, Mary Frances and Chip. After years of being youth and volunteering with different youth groups Emily began working with the Mt. Carmel Youth in 2017 and later began work with the children's ministry in 2021.

John Waller

Director of Music & Organist

John brings a strong background in music and a deep passion for worship planning to Mt. Carmel. A graduate of Georgia State University, he is an accomplished sight reader, organ improviser, and choir director, with experience orchestrating instrumental accompaniment. John is married to Isabel, and their daughter, Fei Tie, is a Georgia Tech graduate in computer science. By day, John works in data services for a tax and accounting firm—but any stereotypes end there. He often arrives at choir practice on his Harley.

Carol Portillo

Preschool Director

Carol Portillo is originally from Middle Georgia but moved to the Duluth area when she was two years old. She stayed local for college, where she met her husband, Joel. They have been married over 25 years and have raised three boys together. She loves reading, spending time with her friends, and cooking for her family. She began teaching at Mt. Carmel in 2000 and fell in love with the family atmosphere of the Preschool. She is thankful to have impacted so many children's lives. They've certainly changed hers!