John Connel

This is my 17th year to teach at GACS. I was born in Houston, Texas but grew up in small towns in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, as the son of a preacher and the eldest of four siblings. I graduated from high school in Abilene, Texas which is where most of my family still lives.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Abilene Christian University, and have also done graduate work at Georgia State University . I met my wife, Suzanne, who is a GACS graduate while in college at Abilene . We spent two years in Texas doing youth ministry before she brought be “back home” to teach at her alma mater. We currently live in Grayson. Suzanne works at Margaret Winn-Holt Elementary School where she teaches kids with learning disabilities and coordinates testing for special education. We have been married for 18 years and we have four sons – Matthew – 12, David – 8, Joseph – 3, and Adam who will turn 1 in November.

We are active members at Campus church of Christ and previously served as children’s ministers there. I currently teach an adult class and help lead in small groups. My wife teaches in the nursery. We both sing on the praise team at church and I am one of the worship leaders.

My whole family enjoys music. My wife plays the piano and I enjoy writing songs. Each summer we go back to Texas for a couple of weeks where I teach in singing camps. We also enjoy theatre as a family and are involved with the New London community theatre in Snellville.