Email Layne

Layne began his work with First Baptist in early 2023, serving as Transition Facilitator in order to assist the congregation through the interim in preparing to call a new Pastor. He added the responsibility of Interim Pastor in September 2023. From 1983-2009, he served as Pastor of a church in Arkansas and one in North Carolina. In 2009 he began serving as Intentional Interim Pastor leading congregations in Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and South Carolina. For over ten years, he worked with the Center for Congregational Health, facilitating the fieldwork for all Intentional Interim Ministers in training. Layne is married to Dianne. They are the proud and thankful parents of two daughters and four grandchildren. In his free time, he volunteers at an elementary school and “enjoys” playing bad golf.

Email David

David Jennings joined the First Baptist staff in August 2008 as Minister of Administration. David and his wife Amy are graduates of Belmont University (B.S. in Secondary Education), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University (Doctor of Ministry). David served two churches in Tennessee (First Baptist Newport as Minister to Students and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church as Associate Pastor) prior to joining the FBC staff. David and Amy have one daughter, Jennifer, who is serving as Associate Pastor to Children and Families at First Baptist Church, Marion, North Carolina.  

Email Anna

Anna Burch became Minister to Children in August 2017 and was ordained at First Baptist Church in 2017. With a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Presbyterian College, Anna taught first grade for five years. She graduated with her Masters of Theological Studies from Iliff School of Theology in 2018. Anna also teaches at FBC’s Cheerful Cherubs preschool.

Email Keith

Keith grew up in First Baptist Church and joined the staff in August 2021 as Church Music Director.  He is a graduate of Furman University (B.M.) and holds both Master’s and Doctorate of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.  For over 25 years, Keith worked as a professional opera and  musical theater singer and actor, both nationally and internationally, while living in New York City.  He was the Founder and General Director of the Greenwood Music Festival from 2007 to 2012. Having served as director of music for churches in Greenville, S.C., Rochester, N.Y., and Arlington, V.A., Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the music ministry at FBC.

Email Claudia

Claudia is a graduate of Furman University and has served as the Director of the Cheerful Cherubs Preschool since 1999.  She also served as Minister to Children at First Baptist from 2008 to 2017. She and her husband, Jay, have three daughters (Anna, Caroline, and Catherine). Catherine is married to Scott White and they have two children (Cooper Ann and James). Caroline is married to Mac McCormick and they have two children (Lawrence and Lee).

Email Mary Frances

Mary Frances Thompson joined the FBC staff as Ministry Assistant in March 2013. Mary Frances has a B.A. from Winthrop College (now University), a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary (PCUSA). Mary Frances grew up in First Baptist Church, West Columbia, SC, where she was ordained in June 1995. She has served as Director/Minister of Education and Minister of Children and Youth in several churches in the Columbia, SC area. She served as Chaplain for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice Greenwood Center for Female Offenders for the eight years that the facility was in Greenwood. She continues to be active in Epiphany Ministry of SC, an outreach ministry for incarcerated and at-risk youth. Mary Frances is the National Coordinator of Epiphany Ministry, Inc. In addition to working in the office at FBC, Mary Frances works with the FBC children in Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and Wednesday night mission activities. Mary Frances represents FBC on the boards of Greater Greenwood United Ministry and Greenwood Place, and on the Greenwood Council of Church Women.