David B. Smith
Interim Pastor
Bachelor of Arts, Mars Hill College, 1969
Master of Divinity, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1973
Doctorate of Ministry, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1978
Jennifer H. Jennings
Associate Pastor for Children and Discipleship
Bachelor of Arts in English, with departmental honors, and Bible and Religion, Erskine College, 2016
Master of Arts in English Literature, Gardner-Webb University, 2021
Master of Divinity, The School of Divinity, Gardner-Webb University, 2021
Jennifer is a native of Tennessee; she was born in Knoxville and raised in a small town north of Nashville. Jennifer and her parents moved to the upstate South Carolina in 2008 where she attended high school and college. In 2017, she moved to North Carolina to start seminary. In the fall of 2021, she was ordained at her home church First Baptist Church Greenwood, South Carolina. She has been active in the leadership of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina by serving on the Coordinating Council. Jennifer realized her calling to ministry while serving as Summer Camp Director at Delta Hands for Hope in Shaw, MS, a CBF rural poverty initiative. She has also served as a preschool teacher at FBC Greenwood’s preschool, Cheerful Cherubs, and as a ministry intern at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC; First Baptist Church Shelby, NC; and First Baptist Church Laurens, SC with their children and youth. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, journaling, a good cup of coffee, and watching Netflix.
Alexandria McNeely
Director of Music
Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music and Vocal Performance, Lenoir-Rhyne University, 2019
Master of Music, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, 2021
Alexandria grew up in nearby Catawba County, heavily involved in Baptist church life and music. An accomplished opera singer, Alexandria has won numerous competitions and awards, including winning the Tess Verbesey Encouragement Award and the Heafner-Williams competition in 2024. She is regularly involved in major musical productions and with respected ensembles such as the Hickory Choral Society, Taylor Festival Choir, Blue Ridge Consort, Winston Salem Choral Artists, and Opera Carolina of Charlotte. Alexandria also enjoys teaching music at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
Alexandria’s website: https://alexandriamcneely.com
Heather W. Anderson
Organist/Pianist
Bachelor of Music Education, Appalachian State University, 1990
Master of Instructional Technology, Appalachian State University, 2011
Heather was raised in First Baptist Church and was heavily involved in our Music Ministry from childhood forward. Starting in 1988 while a college student, Heather became our primary organist and pianist. She’s been devoted to that role ever since, playing in worship, accompanying the Sanctuary choir and congregational singing, while also assisting with youth and children’s choirs. Heather has been a steady, supportive presence in the Music Ministry for over 36 years. Beyond her leadership at FBC, Heather is a full-time classroom teacher at Glenwood Elementary School. Heather is married to Greg Anderson. They have two adult children, Grace and Molly.
David John
Youth Minister
Bachelor of Arts in English, St. Xavier’s College (Jaipur, India), 2017
Master of Divinity, The School of Divinity, Gardner-Webb University, 2023
David was born and raised in Jaipur, India. After studying at Gardner-Webb University Divinity School, he joined the church staff March 2024. David is also currently studying Missiology and Intercultural Studies on the PhD level at Columbia International University.