Our Staff Members The staff at Fairforest Baptist Church has spent many years commited to Christian service. Our staff enjoys serving our community, whether in sharing our faith or just lending a helping hand. Here are a few of Fairforest Baptist Church's staff members, starting with Kermit Morris:

Kermit Morris  (Pastor)  Background: BS East Texas Baptist University MRE Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Been in the ministry 38 years, having held various positions in the church and as a Home Missionary with the North American Mission Board. Family:Married to Henrietta for 42 years. We have two grown daughters, and five grandchildren Favorite Colors:Hunter green and navy blue Favorite Foods:Steak, Mexican, and Italian Favorite Movies:Remember the Titans, Invictus, Blind Side Hobbies:Golf and watching sports Guests at Fantasy Dinner:The apostle Paul, George W. Bush, Francis Chan, Condoleeza Rice, Pete Maravich, and Mike Huckabee One thing most people do not know about me: I was a disc-jockey in Viet Nam Favorite TV shows:College football and Fox News Favorite books:Pouring New Wine into Old Wineskins, Simple Church, Crazy Love Favorite Bible Verse:Proverbs 3: 5-6

Ellen Bagwell  (Music Director/Ministry Assistant)  Graduated from Dorman and PC; Taught Elementary Music in District 6 for 26 years. Currently learning all about accounting! Family: Married to Chuck. 2 grown children Favorite Color: Navy Blue Favorite Foods: Italian Favorite Movies: A Beautiful Mind Hobbies: Gardening Guests at Fantasy Dinner: Jesus Christ One thing most people do not know about me: I was Valedictorian of the Class of ‘76 Favorite TV shows: Law and Order Favorite books: Nicholas Sparks’ Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 121

Don Greene  (Minister to Senior Adults)  Background: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Master of Divinity in Church Growth and Planting Gardner Webb University Bachelor of Arts in Religion Church planting team in Goshen KY Pastor of North Oldham Baptist Church in Goshen KY Served in various roles in the church such as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Youth Director, etc… Mission work: South Carolina and West Virginia, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic Owner: Greene’s Landscaping Service Current Residence: Inman SC Family: Married to Joan since 1978: 1 daughter, 3 sons, one grandson Favorite Color: Green Favorite Foods: Mexican, home grown vegetables Favorite movies: Facing the Giants, Star Wars Hobbies: Fishing, Golf Guests at Fantasy Dinner: Frances Chan, David Platt, George Bush One thing most people do not know about me: I get emotional watching movies. Favorite TV Shows: Tool Time, History Channel, Weather Channel Favorite Books: Radical Favorite Bible Verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Katy Bellew  (Media/Communications)  Background:Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television Production Master of Science in Radio and Television Broadcasting Family: 2 sisters, 1 nephew and 2 nieces Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Food: Steak Hobbies: Photography, Reading One thing most people do not know about me: I’ve taught swim lessons every summer since I was 15. Favorite books: Pride and Prejudice Favorite Bible Verse: James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Jim Medlock  (Custodian) Background:Worked at Community Cash for most of my life. Married with a grown son, daughter-in-law, and one grandchild. Favorite Color: blue Favorite Food: hot dogs Favorite Movies: Old Classic Comedies Hobbies: Golf Favorite TV shows: M*A*S*H Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 2:4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Peggy Cate  (Organist/Pianist) Peggy Cate has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Dean Hammett  (Volunteer Music Leader) Works at Spartanburg Coca-Cola Family: Wife -Renee (Nursery Dir.) 2 married daughters, 3 grandsons Favorite Color:Blue Favorite Food:Pork Chops Favorite Movie:Remember the Titans Hobbies:Fishing and Golf Guests at Fantasy Dinner: Denzel Washington,Ivan Parker One thing most people do not know about me: Sentimental Favorite TV show:NCIS Favorite books:Not many Favorite Bible Verse: But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33 Anything else you want people to know about you: ( not much to know)"What you see is what you get."

Claire Hart  (Volunteer Children's Director and Hostess) District Literacy Coach/Director of Title I and Literacy for District Six Schools Family: Twin sons, married, one grandson Rob is an architect; Will is an assistant office manager for Wells Fargo Financial Favorite Colors: green Favorite Foods: chicken salad Favorite Movies: almost any—I just love seeing movies at the theater Hobbies: sewing, cooking, reading Guests at Fantasy Dinner: don’t know any special guests, but I would love to do one of those mystery dinners One thing most people do not know about me: Home coming court attendant in college; white water rafting participant, but about 25 years ago! Favorite TV shows: Masterpiece Theater; Antiques Roadshow; Big Bang Theory Favorite books: too many to list…. Favorite Bible Verse: For by grace are you saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Renee Hammett  (Volunteer Nursery Director) Instructional Secretary (to Assistant Superintendent)–Spartanburg School District Six Member/Foster Parent: Critter Connection Pet Rescue Family: Married to Dean Two grown daughters and sons-in-law, 3 grandsons Lots of Canine Kids,Canine/Feline Grands, and Past Canine Fosters Favorite Colors: Melon Favorite Foods: Chocolate Favorite Movies: Steel Magnolias & Fried Green Tomatoes Hobbies: Jewelry Making/Reading/Animal Rescue Spending time with grandsons… Guests at Fantasy Dinner: My brother, Mark; I would cherish the opportunity to say all the things we never said to each other while he was here on earth. One thing most people do not know about me: I lost my only sibling to suicide 19 years ago – have or never will fully recover or understand the reason this tragedy happened to our family but have learned to live with the peace of knowing that he is in heaven today and whatever tormented him so can no longer bother him. Favorite TV shows: Desperate Housewives/Criminal Minds Favorite books: The Yearling/Wuthering Heights Favorite Bible Verse: John 3:16 Anything else you want people to know about you: Grandchildren are the most precious gift that I have ever received on this earth.

Ed Westbrook  (Caretaker) Ed Westbrook has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Most members of our staff can be reached via E-mail or please feel free to contact us through our contact form.