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More about us!
Great Oaks Church has a deep desire and mandate from God to help people find freedom by knowing Jesus! Over two years ago, Pastor Jason felt the Lord impress on him to open a Learning Center. The heartbeat behind this Learning Center is that we can take our
church’s vision to the community. We believe children can know, love and worship Jesus
just as adults do. We have carefully and prayerfully selected the leadership staff and the
advisory board members to reflect the heart of this vision. Great Oaks Learning Center is
committed to cultivating, engaging, and empowering your children, both academically
and spiritually! The development of this dream has been a great labor of love from our
church to you, our community. We look forward to serving you!
As always, we pray you will Be Free by Knowing Jesus!
Meet The Team
Anna Manning
Director
Anna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Arts with a minor in Marketing from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). She worked with the Alabama Department of Public Health for 14 years while continually cultivating and deepening her relationship with the Lord.
During this time, He did a mighty work in her heart, igniting a passion for discipling and raising up the next generation (and their families) to know Jesus personally and to be activated in worshiping Him in the unique ways He designed them long ago (Ephesians 2:10).
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Anna is also a prophetic artist, a dancer, and a prayer warrior. She actively serves in the Great Oaks Church nursery and youth group. She extends her heartfelt thanks and appreciation to her husband, Dallas, her pastors, and the many dear friends and family who have supported and prayed for her as she takes this next step.
She is excited to meet and love on everyone who comes through the doors of Great Oaks Learning Center!
Robin Orrison
Board Member
Robin has over 30 years of combined experience as a preschool teacher, director, and speech pathologist. She currently supervises young speech pathologists. Most importantly, she is passionate about discipling younger believers to love and walk with Christ, rooted in His Word.
Ashley Thomas
Assistant Director
Ashley is a wife, mother of three, minister, and Kingdom creative with a passion for serving God and His people. She and her husband were ordained and received their chaplaincy certifications in 2020 after graduating from Faith Crusade School of Ministry in Montgomery, Alabama. Together, they lead prison ministry efforts across the state, bringing light and hope into dark places.
Ashley currently serves as the Business Administrator at Great Oaks Church in Prattville, Alabama. With training in trauma and adverse childhood experiences, she carries a deep burden for the broken and unseen. Her life and ministry are rooted in the belief that every person bears the image of God and deserves to be treated with love, dignity, and compassion.
As an author and creative, Ashley finds joy in reflecting the beauty and creativity of her Creator through writing, design, and faith-driven initiatives. Her heart is to uplift others, inspire hope, and build for the glory of God in every space she’s called to serve.
Merce P. Kennedy
Board Member
Merce is a retired Customer Relations Analyst at Hewlett-Packard with expertise in federal and state agencies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Biblical and Ancient Middle-Eastern Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and History. She serves as the Coordinator of G3 (Great Oaks Church Women's Ministry), a Sunday School teacher, and is an active member of Great Oaks Church.
Nancy Rambo
Board Member
Nancy has 45 years of teaching experience and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. She taught for 25 years in the Montgomery Public School System—22 years in Kindergarten and three years in 3rd grade. For the past 20 years, she has been teaching at Prattville Christian Academy, where she spent two years in 2nd grade and 18 years in Kindergarten.