Meet the Holy Comforter Staff
The Rev. Matt Babcock, Vicar |
Fr. Matt began his ministry with Holy Comforter on August 11, 2025.
Matt was raised in central Louisiana and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2007, earning a BS in Agricultural Business. Following undergraduate studies, he moved to North Carolina, where he was introduced to the Episcopal Church. What began as volunteer service in a food pantry led to a rediscovery of the presence of God through the fruits of a community with a shared vision to live the Gospel. Serving alongside parishioners seeking to restore the dignity of God’s creation eventually led Matt to explore a desire to foster communities of love as he discerned his own call to ordained ministry. Prior to seminary, Rev. Matt had a rewarding career in commodities trading, risk management, finance, and banking. He graduated in 2019 from Yale Divinity School, having earned a Master of Divinity degree; he also earned a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School. Since seminary training, Matt has served in various positions in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, the Diocese of Chicago, and the Diocese of Atlanta. He is a Trinity Leadership Fellow and is currently pursuing a Doctor in Ministry at Candler School of Theology. |
The Rev. Devadas Lynton, Deacon |
Restorative Justice Practitioner and Mediator, Devadas was trained in Restorative Justice by Kay Pranis and Gwen Chandler Rivers in 2005. In 2007, he received his certification as a Certified Mediator from Kennesaw State University and has maintained his certification with the GA Office of Dispute Resolution. He completed a four-year Education for Ministry program from the University of the South, Sewanee, TN, and has been a Deacon in the Diocese of Atlanta since 2018. He has a passion for ministries with a focus in the following areas: prison, homeless, and mental health. He worked for fourteen years for the GA Dept. of Juvenile Justice in the following divisions: Campus Operations, Community Corrections, Detention Services, and the Office of Public Affairs.
Presently, he is the Chief Financial Officer for the Restorative Justice Institute of Atlanta, LLC, and works for Fulton Co. Superior Court as an Intensive Supervision Case Manager II. Devadas graduated from the University of S.C. with a B.A. in History/Political Science. He has the following interests: community gardening, saltwater fishing, reading, walking trails, bicycling, feral cat trapping, and is a big fan of the Atlanta Falcons/Minnesota Vikings (yes—two teams) and Atlanta United. |
Brooke McGuffin, Seminarian |
Seminarian Brooke McGuffin is a native Atlantan, raised in both southern and northern suburbs. She moved to intown Atlanta in 2003 to attend Georgia Tech. As a younger adult, she discovered a love for the city of Atlanta and God's big heart for justice in the world. She came to the Episcopal Church in 2021 and is discerning a call to ministry. She served as a TACC chaplain intern in 2024 and 2025 at Church of the Common Ground and Emmaus House. Brooke is a second year Masters of Divinity Student at Candler School of Theology. She loves to garden, run, hike, camp, read memoirs, and arrange flowers.
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Kyle Bynum, Director of Music |
Kyle studied Sacred Music at Virginia Wesleyan University and Digital Media at Middle Georgia State University. Before joining Holy Comforter, he spent a decade teaching K–8 music and later transitioned into full-time communications work for churches across the country. With experience serving in a variety of traditions, including United Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, and Pentecostal churches, Kyle brings a deep appreciation for the breadth and beauty of Christian worship.
At Holy Comforter, Kyle enjoys the creative freedom to blend diverse musical styles in worship, from Spirituals and traditional hymns to plainsong chant. He lives in Atlanta with his partner, Carlos, and their daughter, Eliza. When he is not making music, you can usually find him biking the Beltline, exploring new hiking trails, or sampling local breweries. |
Ryan Bigg, Program Director Friendship Center |
Ryan has lived and worked in Atlanta for over a decade and is originally from Lilburn, Georgia. He graduated from Emory University in 2015 with a dual degree in Religion and Sociology and is currently pursuing his Master of Social Work at Georgia State University.
Over the past ten years, Ryan has devoted his career to serving Atlanta’s communities, working alongside neighbors to address challenges like homelessness, youth development, and food insecurity. He has helped build and grow programs that connect people to food, housing, and community support. Whether navigating individuals toward stable housing, leading youth enrichment activities, or coordinating volunteers and community partnerships, Ryan’s focus has always been on fostering connection and stability for those who need it most. Ryan brings a deep passion for serving others with empathy and compassion. He believes in the power of building relationships and creating spaces where everyone feels valued and supported. Outside of work, Ryan loves exploring Atlanta’s neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, and spending time outdoors. A devoted Atlanta sports fan, he also proudly carries on his family’s tradition of cheering for the Florida Gators. |
Lesley-Ann Drake, Administration |
Lesley-Ann grew up in the UK. She came to Atlanta for a two-week work assignment in 1980, and is still here.
After working in the travel industry for nearly 20 years, and raising two daughters, she found herself pondering a call to the diaconate to pursue chaplaincy and hospice work. God had other ideas, and in the midst of formation to be ordained a permanent Deacon, she started Path to Shine, a ministry for elementary school children living in poverty. It grew to 17 programs around the state before she stepped away to retirement. Retirement was short-lived when a chance meeting with a friend saw her agreeing to a three-month stint at Holy Comforter to help out in the office. That was February 2023 and she's still here. "This is the place that keeps me grounded, especially Wednesday night worship. It's why I'm still here. In the chaos of the surrounding world with policies from on high that cause real harm to real people, I know God is at work here. And I can do my part to support the good that is being done." |
