Our Ministry Team

THE PASTORAL TEAM

DUSTIN ROGERS

Lead Pastor of Preaching & Vision


Pastor Dustin joined the pastoral team in August 2024 as our Lead Pastor of Preaching and Vision. He graduated with a degree in Youth Ministry and served as a youth pastor in Virginia for seven years, before planting and leading Heritage Bible Church in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2009. Pastor Dustin and his wife Catherine have three children and live in Greenville.
``I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.``
Galatians 2:20

JERRY BARRON

Pastor of Operations and Connections


Pastor Jerry has ministered at Calvary in various capacities since 1991. He joined the staff in 2005 and serves as Assistant Pastor with oversight of Operations and Connections. He graduated with a degree in Financial Management and earned a Master of Ministry degree. Pastor Jerry and his wife Tessa have three children.
``And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus...``
Colossians 3:17

ROBERT GRAZIANO

Pastor of Care


After coming to Christ while living in New York, Pastor Robert earned a Practical Christian Training degree and a Master of Ministry degree. Pastor Robert oversees our Re|engage Marriage Ministry, the senior adults ministry, and teaches the Abundant Life Class. He and his wife Janet are also involved in discipleship and counseling. The Grazianos have three children and three grandchildren.
“But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord...`` Jeremiah 9:24

MATTHEW WELLS

Pastor of Adult Discipleship


Matt has been attending Calvary since 2012 and joined the Calvary staff in June 2018 to assist with a variety of projects and participate in the pastoral assistant training program. Matt earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Carissa live in Fountain Inn and have two daughters, Charis & Selah.
``But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.`` 2 Cor. 12:9

ROBERT HORN

Pastor of Student Ministries


Robert joined the pastoral staff in April 2018 starting as the pastoral assistant over Calvary’s Student Ministries (6th-12th). He graduated with an undergraduate degree in History and earned a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Audrey live in Simpsonville with their daughter and two puppies.
``Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.`` Romans 10:11

CHASE BLANKENSHIP

Non-Vocational Pastor


Chase has been a member at Calvary since 2001. He earned a Master of Divinity in 2010 and in 2021 completed a Doctorate in Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. Chase joined Calvary’s pastoral team as a non-vocational pastor in 2022. He also serves as a palliative care and hospice chaplain in the community. Chase and his wife Rachel have been married for 17 years and have four amazing children.
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:2

James Porter

Non-Vocational Pastor


James and his family have been members of Calvary since 2018. He was also a member in the early years when Calvary was being established. James joined Calvary’s pastoral team as a non-vocational pastor in 2024. He has served as a Biblical counselor, teacher, a student ministries leader, and in the music ministry. He is an ACBC certified Biblical counselor. James and his wife Stephanie have three beautiful girls.
``For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.``
2 Timothy 1:7

JJ WALTHO

Pastoral Assistant - Young Adults & Middle School


JJ joined the staff as Pastoral Assistant in April 2022 and is assisting in our Student and Young Adults ministries, among other responsibilities. He graduated in 2019 with his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies with a focus on Youth Ministry and completed his MA in Biblical Studies in May 2024. Previous to joining the team, JJ ministered at Griggs Memorial Baptist Church through several different programs and also served as the Children’s Ministry Director.
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. -Psalm 9:9-10

JEREMY WRAY

Pastoral Assistant - College


Jeremy joined the staff as Pastoral Assistant in September 2022. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Cross Cultural Ministries. Jeremy is currently employed full-time as a chaplain at Parkside Pediatrics and resides in Simpsonville with his wife, Grace, and son, Renner.
``My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. -Is. 55:11

GUY ALTIZER

Pastor Emeritas


Pastor Guy founded Calvary Baptist Church in 1985 and served as its senior pastor until beginning a new ministry called Windows of Heaven, which assists missionaries around the globe with projects and teams. In 2018, Pastor Guy was asked to come back on the pastoral team to assist with our outreach and visitor follow-up. He and his wife Cookie live in Simpsonville.
``Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.`` Malachi 3:10

Our Deacons

Here is a list of our deacons for 2024 and their task assignment:

  • Benevolence – Jack Martin, Dan Brown, Kyle Wall
  • Connections – Wayne Bagwell, Doug Holliday, Jason Kazian, Franco Quaglia
  • Events – GW Bowers, Will Sowers
  • Facilities & Grounds: David Hearn, Daniel Herr, Ken Horton, Jason Wagner
  • Finance – Steve Delaney, Scott Taylor
  • Funerals – Caleb Conner, Bill Howard, Duane Slack
  • Ordinances – Brian Carruthers, Lester Lippincott
  • Tech & A/V – Jonathan Baker, Ben Menking, Reuben Hawks, Rich Lagger, Dave Ivey

MINISTRY DIRECTORS & SUPPORT TEAM

Joy Sehested

Administrative Assistant


Joy came to Calvary in 2019 and came on staff in June 2023. She assists the pastoral team on various projects, including events, answering the phone, and greeting visitors at the office. She and her husband Sam live in Mauldin.

Michele Schultz

Preschool Director


Michele and her husband Stan have attended Calvary since their marriage in 1988. They have enjoyed raising their five children in Simpsonville and being involved in ministry at Calvary. Michele has been the Director of Calvary Christian Preschool since August 2014. She has been active in directing Calvary’s Vacation Bible School, singing in the choir, and teaching in various children’s ministries.

Carissa Wells

Calvary Kids Director


Carissa has attended Calvary since 2014 and joined the staff as Director of Children’s Ministry in October 2021. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been teaching in our preschool for several years. She is married to Matt, and they live in Fountain Inn with their two daughters, Charis & Selah.

Janet Parent

Administrative Assistant for Music & Technology


Janet came to Calvary in 1996 from the Chicago area. It was there that she received Christ and began serving in her local church. She has one son and two grandchildren. Janet lives in Simpsonville.

Gina Sigmon

Administrative Assistant for Finances


Gina has been on staff at Calvary since 2015 as the financial assistant and bookkeeper. She and her husband have two children. They live in Simpsonville.

Andrew Fuller

Facilities Team Member


Andrew joined our staff as a full-time Facilities Team member in April 2014. He and his wife Jennifer have two children. Jennifer teaches at Calvary Christian Preschool.