- Contemporary Service, 8:55 am; Traditional Service, 11:00 am
About Us
Our Team
Staff
Rev. Will Shelburne Senior Pastor
Will joined First Presbyterian Church in April 2021 as Senior Pastor. He comes to us after 13 years at First Presbyterian Church in Savannah where he served as Associate Pastor for Christian Education, Missions, and Youth. Will grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and is a graduate of Presbyterian College and Columbia Seminary. He is married to Sara and they have three children. We look forward to the ways that God will work through Will in our congregation and in the Greer community.
Dr. Al Masters Pastoral Associate
Al joined First Presbyterian in July 2019 as a part-time pastoral associate but has known this congregation for many years as his late wife, Carol, was a member and deacon here. Al has been a pastor and campus minister in the upstate for many years and continues to serve in various capacities during his “semi-retirement” as he calls it. At First Presbyterian, Al helps provide pastoral care and assists in leading worship.
Wendi Arms Praise Team Leader
Wendi has been at First Presbyterian since August 2007. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Vocal Performance from Converse College. She is the Music Librarian at Converse University, and she is also on the faculty of the Lawson Academy at Converse University, where she teaches voice. Wendi has one adult son, Micah. In addition to working with the Praise Team, Wendi is a part of the Children’s Music Ministry team, and participates as a soloist for many church services and events.
Lynn Bennett Financial Administrator
Lynn Graduated from Newberry College in 1986 and earned her CPA license in 1990. She and her husband David have two daughters, Lauren and Taylor. They live in Simpsonville where they are members of Mauldin United Methodist Church. Lynn is active in Sunday School, the financial committee and serves as a volunteer for IHN and Triune Mercy Center.
Lisa Dillard Director of Music
Lisa is a lifelong Presbyterian and has been on staff at First Presbyterian since 1995. She was hired as organist, began directing handbells one year later, and became Director of Music in 2002. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance from Converse College and enjoys many facets of music-making, including teaching, performing, and adjudicating.
Lisa Johnson Administrative Assistant
Lisa is a lifelong Presbyterian and has been on staff here at First Presbyterian since October 2019. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Furman University and previously worked at Hartness International in the accounting department. Lisa lives in Greenville and is a long-time member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian in Mauldin where she serves as the Clerk of Session and sings in the choir.
Pam Turnage Associate Director of Music
Pam is a native of Gaffney, SC. She attended Columbia College and received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Limestone College. She has been in church music for some 30 years and taught piano since college graduation. She has two grown sons, Ryan and David, and one grandson.
Maggie Wentzky Director of Operations
Maggie joined our staff in March 2018 as Coordinator of Children’s Ministries before transitioning to her current position. A lifelong Presbyterian, Maggie has enjoyed learning the ins and outs of working in Christian Education and spending time with the children of FPCG. She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Appalachian State University and a Master’s of Education from the University of South Carolina. Maggie, her husband Chad, and her son Ben are delighted to be a part of this vibrant community of faith.
Officers
There are two types of officers in the PC(USA): Ruling Elders and Deacons. Each has distinct responsibilities and work together to carry out the church’s ministries and God’s mission in the world. Both Elders and Deacons serve a three year term.
Ruling Elders
Ruling Elders are the officers of the church who make up the body known as the Session. Ruling Elders are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Together with ministers, they exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline. Each elder works with a particular committee that manages a certain part of the church’s mission and ministry.
A listing of our committees along with the chairs for each committee can be found here.
Class of 2022
Elizabeth Clayton
Rick Danner
Becky DelSavio
Heather Gordon
Fred Hyslop
Judy Pearson
Class of 2023
Cal Cannon
Dennis Cooley
Brent Garrett
Bill Harrill
Stuart Mauney
Harriett Williams
Class of 2024
Amy Couch
Carlton Greene
Nick Nicholson
Alex Olmert (Youth Elder)
Stacy Shamis
Rick Turner
Patty White
Deacons
Deacons are the officers of the church who make up the body of the church known as the Diaconate. The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structure, or anyone in distress.
Class of 2022
Buddy Carter
Charlotte Koehler
Becky McKay
Marie Moore
Linda Nicholson
Jennifer Olmert
Ron Vanderhoff
Class of 2023
Graham Cobb
Scott Cruz
Suellen McConnell
Emily Mangum
Leanna McCord
Linda McDaniel
Stacia Smith
Class of 2024
Rebecca Aguirre
Jennifer Keller
Jenny Munro
Margaret Nesbitt
Marsha Painter
Amy Smith
Anne Marie Wall
