Our Ministry Team
THE PASTORAL TEAM
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.
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.
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 one daughter, Charis.
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
ROBERT HORN
Pastor of Student Ministries
Robert joined the staff as a pastoral assistant in April 2018 to lead Calvary’s Student Ministries (6th-12th). He graduated with an undergraduate degree in History and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity. He and his wife Audrey live in Simpsonville with their adorable puppies Winston & Max.
JJ WALTHO
Pastoral Assistant - Young Professionals
JJ joined the staff as Pastoral Assistant in April 2022 and is assisting in our Calvary Student Ministries and Young Professionals class, among other responsibilities. He graduated in 2019 with his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies with a focus on Youth Ministry and is currently pursuing his MA in Biblical Studies. 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.
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.
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
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 daughter Charis.
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.
Mike Dieschbourg
Facilities Manager
Mike has served as Maintenance Manager at Calvary since 2002 and became our Facilities Manager in March 2014. He is responsible for maintaining our facilities. Mike and his wife Roseanne have two children and 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.