Pastor Thomas R. Kelly, Jr.

Pastor Tommy was born May 29, 1963, son of  Thomas and Ola Jean Kelly.He is married to Phyllis Darlene Adams of Union, South Carolina and they have a daughter Rebekah.

He was licensed to preach at his home church, Carlisle Baptist, in Carlisle, South Carolina on November 2, 1986.

He was ordained there on November 13, 1988.

Educational Background

* Spartanburg Methodist College, Spartanburg, South Carolina A.A. Degree in Liberal       Arts, Graduated May 10, 1983

* Lander College, Greenwood, South Carolina Bachelor of Science in Physical                   Education with Teacher Certification, Graduated December 20, 1985

* Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina Master of       Divinity, Graduated December 10, 1988

* New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, North Carolina Clinical Pastoral     Education, Two Basic Units, Graduated April 30, 1993

* Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, SC. Received Doctorate of Ministry,  May        15, 2005.

Ministry Experience

- Pastor First Baptist Church, Union, SC - Summer Youth Worker May 1985 - Sep     1985

- Blaney Baptist Church, Elgin, SC - Summer Youth Minister/Part time Youth             Worker Jun 1986 - Dec 1986

- Mon-Aetna Baptist Church, Union, SC - Minister of Youth  Jan 1987 - Jun 1988

- Temple Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC - Minister of Education & Youth Jul 1988     Jan 1991

- Atkinson Baptist Church, Atkinson, NC - Pastor  Feb 1991 - Apr 1994

- First Baptist Church, Varnville, SC - May 1994 – Present

Associate Pastor, Brandon Corley

Brandon Corley was blessed to grow up as the son of a Baptist minister.  His family moved to the South Carolina Lowcountry when he was a child and he graduated from Thomas Heyward Academy in 1997.  Later, his father  was called to a church in Westminister, SC.  While living there, Brandon earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration.  He and his wife Robin were married in 2001. They built a home and moved back to the Lowcountry to Sheldon, SC in 2004. They have three sons: Nathan, Jacob, and Caleb.  Brandon has a heart for serving God.  He is passionate about leading others to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, particularly youth and children. He has been serving in youth ministry since 2006.

Remaining staff

Minister of Youth & Children                                    Brandon & Robin Corley

Minister of Music                                                       Annette Tuten

Praise & Worship Leader                                          Chip Mixon

Secretary                                                                    Sharon Moody

Treasurer                                                                    Greg Ackerman

Custodian                                                                    Terry Hiers

Organist                                                                      Janet Muckenhirn

Pianists                                                                       Peggy Stanley, Phyliss Kelly,  Frances Terry                  

David Ellis, Chairman                              Greg Ackerman, Secretary 

Chip Mixon, Vice Chairman                     Chris Mills

Robert Brown                                           DeKelly Pittinger      

Bill Parker                                                       

Deacons