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About Ken Hicks: Ken is serving as our interim pastor while the session of Christ Church works to establish a search committee for our new pastor. He is a retired EPC teaching elder. Since retiring from full time ministry, Ken has served as an interim pastor for several different churches in the EPC Presbytery. He most recently served in this role for Rocky River Presbyterian Church in Abbeville, SC. We are grateful to have such an experienced pastor to serve the congregation of Christ Church EPC in this transitional period.
About Bruce Carswell (Church Administrator): Bruce accepted Christ at 9 years old when he was attending VBS. Bruce started coming to our church 24 years ago and he felt led to join. He has been serving for almost 20 years, and enjoys it greatly. Bruce is now retired from working in sales.
About Michael Perry (Elder): Michael became a believer when, after he cried out to God, a man came to him and asked if he wanted to be discipled. He accepted and is now a believer in Christ. Michael has been a part of our church for 16 years, and an elder for 14 years. He enjoys sharing God’s word and helping people grow in their faith. Michael works as a planner/buyer for a car manufacturer. His favourite football team is the Steelers, and he likes roller skating and fitness.
About Nathan Turner (Elder): Nathan came to know Jesus by being invited to Christ Church. He then came to a small group, and through the discussion and prayer time, he came to know Jesus! He has been coming to Christ Church since 2003, during his college years. Nathan has been serving as an elder for 6 years now. He enjoys hiking and teaching the bible. He is the director of the online program at Erskine College and Seminary.
About Thad Ellet (Elder): Thad was raised in a Christain family and he always liked going to church. However it wasn’t till he was 49 that he became truly committed to Jesus. Before that he was only religious, not yet saved. He knows the 2nd Corinthians 5:17 is true. Thad has been a member of our church for 9 years and an elder for 6 years. He worked as an airline pilot.
About Ricky Simpson (Elder): Ricky became a believer when he attended VBS and was led in the Sinners Prayer. Ricky and his wife Jennifer have been going to our church for 30+ years. He has served an elder for 6 years. Ricky loves to travel with his family, and an item on his bucket list is to travel to all 7 continents! Ricky is a history teacher and has his own knife making business where he uses historic wood to make handles. Both professions have been a calling from God, and he has been blessed to impact many lives through both.
About Phil Manly (Elder): Phil prayed for Jesus to be in his heart when he was 13 years old. When he was 17 he went to a Jesus Festival and he realized who Jesus was and started living for him. The evangelist Larry Tomczak said, “If you were in a room listening to the music you listen to, would you be ashamed for Jesus to hear it?” The Holy Spirit opened Phil’s heart to truly understand Jesus, and he has believed in Him ever since. Phil has been a member of Christ Church for 35 years. He became a deacon in 1990, and an elder in 2019. He works as a mental health counselor, enjoys spending time with his wife, gardening,and making home improvements.
About Dennis Burt (Elder): My faith journey began with parents who took me to church every time the doors opened. Both my parents were involved in leadership and service to the church and frequently they were the ones who opened those doors and closed them. From an early age, I learned the stories of the Bible, many wonderful songs, and many memory verses. These formed a treasury from which I would draw when I came to saving faith. Sadly, I rebelled against the moral teaching of the church as a teenager and spent many years in rebellion against all I had been taught. But God, in His great mercy humbled me in my early 30s and brought me to the end of myself. Out of His kindness, He granted me the gift of repentance and taught me to trust in Him. I am grateful beyond words for the life he has given me, and for the joy, peace and comfort of knowing His amazing love.
I have been at Christ Church from the very beginning. I started attending and participating as a kindergarten teacher when the church was just a church plant under the EPC. When we changed status from “church plant” to “particular church”, I was elected as a ruling elder to the first session of Christ Church and served as clerk of session for the first 100 meetings. I have served on the session continuously except for an inactive period of approximately five years. I enjoy every aspect of participating in the body of Christ. Corporate worship, intercessory prayer, teaching, stewardship, fellowship, counseling, giving and serving are all edifying to me. Each of those are channels through which the love of Jesus can flow. Before retirement, my profession was a business owner and manager. I had the great blessing of working in the label industry, which I thoroughly enjoyed for 50 years.
What would I like newcomers to know about Christ Church? It is a “true church” based on three essential criteria:
1) The pure preaching of the Word of God.
2) The proper administration of the sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
3) The faithful exercise of church discipline
This commitment protects from false doctrine, encourages life in the Holy Spirit, and promotes the peace, purity and power of the church.
About Lisa Burdette (Nursery Coordinator): Ms. Lisa came to faith at a youth group lock in. She’s been at Christ Church for 14 years and all the time serving in our nursery. She enjoys playing with the kids as she is a childcare worker. Ms. Lisa believes that our church is very welcoming to all people no matter your past. Everybody is loved and welcome.
About Ginny Burt (Children’s Director): I was walking around the block one evening with my dad. He and I talked about how to be saved. I ran home- rushed into the bathroom, closed the door and prayed for Jesus to come into my heart. I ran out of the bathroom and hugged my dad with SUCH JOY and excitement that I had asked Jesus to save me. I remember that walk like it was yesterday. I’ve been at Christ Church since it began. I was around 7-8 years old. There was one point where we held our services at a Montessori School. Years later I actually worked as a teacher in the classroom where I was baptized! I love spending time with my family and friends! I love to entertain and host events. I enjoy photography and traveling. I once lived in Germany for a year and would love to go back to Europe again. Come sit by me! I genuinely want to get to know you and hear your story…probably over some chips and salsa. Your children will be safe, happy, and deeply loved by our volunteers in the children’s program.
About Sarah Turner (Worship Leader): I came to faith in Jesus as a young girl through the witness of my dad. I have been attending Christ Church from the age of about 4 years old. I have been serving as the worship leader since 2022. Some things I enjoy are cooking (especially desserts) as well as hiking and biking with my husband and kids. Our church is a family of people from all walks of life who are united by our devotion to following Jesus wholeheartedly and to loving one another as he does.
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