Rev. Debbie Roth joined the Southern Hills family in July 2021. She has been serving as staff in a variety of churches over the last 15 years. She earned her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Wright State University in education. Her past employment includes public school and private preschool as teachers and administrator at the preschool plus director of the Pohly Center at United Seminary. Her ministry education includes a Master’s in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University and Basic Graduate Theological Studies from United Theological Seminary. Debbie also currently serves as a formation facilitator at United. She is passionate about helping people know Jesus for the first time or in a new and deeper way.
She is married to Pat who works at Dayton Children’s as a respiratory therapist manager. They reside in Tipp City. Pat and Debbie have 3 grown children, 2 daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Together they enjoy gardening, walking, reading, and playing with their grandchild, Oliver, and their dog, Nellie. They recently became proud grandparents to Emma Celeste, grandbaby #2, and Gwendolyn Rose, grandbaby #3.
Alix has lived in Dayton all of her life, has two grown daughters, and is a long time member of Stillwater United Methodist Church.
Her office hours are Wednesdays and Friday 9am - 3:30pm. Stop by and say hello when you get a chance.
Pianist
Linda Kessler
Graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and organ, Linda has over 45 years of professional experience as a freelance musician at premier locations throughout the Miami Valley. She has played 9 international tours and has 30 years' experience teaching private piano. She has conducted over 3000 Broadway musicals at laComedia and is a staff accompanist at Wright State University.
Apart from her music, Linda is a member of Mensa, and has private pilot and realtor licenses. She has two sons. One is a software engineer consultant, and the other is the lead guitar in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Blondie, Broadway Rock of Ages Band and Blue Man Group.
Karen joined the Southern Hills family in the Spring of 2025. Over the last thirty years Karen has worked in music ministry at a variety of churches and has worked with social media for the last six years. At Southern Hills Karen leads worship the first Sunday of every month and the occasional song in between. She works with social media. She is the Congregation's Lay Leader and as a Certified Lay Minister within the UMC she preaches, helps with worship, and teaches discipleship.
She is married to Adriana, who works at CareSource, and who is in the process of becoming a Licensed Local Pastor within the United Methodist Church. They have two adult children: Shannon and her husband Cole live near Kings Island, and Shawn lives in the Belmont area. They also have two elementary-age children, Zayden and Jorgie, who enjoy Southern Hills because they get to see their friends from the neighborhood.
