Chris Spires, Lead Pastor
Chris Spires was called to First Baptist Church of Murrells Inlet on January 7th, 2007. Chris graduated from Erskine College in 2002 with a degree in Christian Education and a minor in Biology. After graduation, he worked as an Admissions Counselor for his alma mater. Also during this time, he served as the Youth Minister for First Baptist Church of Winnsboro and worked for the South Carolina Baptist Convention at White Oak Conference Center.
Pastor Spires attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and in December 2006, he received his Masters of Divinity. During his time at Southern, Pastor Spires married his wife, Hannah, who graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Public Relations. Chris served as the Minister to Young Adults at New Heights Baptist Church in Louisville and worked for the Southern Seminary in the Institutional Relations Office recruiting students and raising funds for school endowments. Pastor Spires has been at FBCMI since 2006.
Pastor Spires and Hannah have three sons: Henning, Whitman, McTeer and daughter, Sarah Jane.
Dr. Scott Stancil, Executive Pastor
Pastor Scott began as Executive Pastor in September, 2016. He came to Murrells Inlet from First Baptist Church of Lyman, SC, where he served as Senior Pastor. Nearly thirty years of ministry has allowed Pastor Scott to gain experience in a variety of areas in the church, including college and singles ministry, adult education, church administration, outreach, new members, and preaching/teaching. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, he received a Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. In 2013, he earned Doctorate in Educational Ministries from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Pastor Scott and his wife Whitney both grew up in Spartanburg, SC, where they met and were married in 1993. Whitney also graduated from the University of South Carolina and is now a teacher at the Scholars Academy in Horry County. Scott and Whitney have two daughters, Jessica and Addison. Both girls are faithfully serving the Lord-Addie here at FBCMI; and Jess, with her husband, Corey, at FBC Spartanburg.
Robbie Taylor, Pastor of Worship and Ministry
Robbie Taylor was called to First Baptist Church of Murrells Inlet in April of 2013. He has been surrounded by musical influences all his life as both his parents served the Lord in the music ministry. His father is a Minister of Music and his mother was a music educator. Robbie graduated from Coastal Carolina University in 2002 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Vocal Performance. In 2002 he married Lisa, who holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, and they have two beautiful children, Hannah and Josh. Robbie has a passion to help others encounter daily worship with Christ. As a songwriter Robbie uses his talents to write songs for the church.
Ryan Ofenloch, Pastor of Administration & Media
Ryan Ofenloch was called to FBCMI in April 2015 and began ministry in June 2015. After graduating from Johnson University in 2009 with a BS in Bible and Youth Ministry/Preaching, Ryan continued on to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary the following fall. He completed his Masters of Divinity in Church Ministry by December 2013. Ryan served his first youth ministry position in his wife’s hometown of Knoxville, TN for two years before settling in Murrells Inlet. Ryan served previously in the role of Student Pastor here at FBCMI until the summer of 2020 where God called him to serve as Pastor of Media and Administration.
During his undergraduate studies, Ryan married his wife, Tracy, who studied alongside him obtaining a BA in Bible and Christian counseling, as well as a MA in Professional Counseling. Tracy currently teaches the 5th grade class here at FBCMI Academy. They have three beautiful daughters Clara, Violet, and Elise.
Courtney Sevor, Children’s Ministry Director
Courtney Sevor joined the staff at FBCMI as the Children’s Ministry Director in September of 2014. Before serving as Children’s Ministry Director, she pursued a career in healthcare administration for nearly 20 years with a large healthcare system in Charlotte, NC. She is married to Keith and together they are raising two boys, Ryan and Hayden. Also very dear to their hearts are two fur-babies, Maddi the Boxer and Shorty the Pug. She enjoys spending time with her family, taking in the “salt life”, being a “Boy Mom” enjoying everything superhero, adventure and Green Bay Packer football.
Her priority is to develop a ministry that comes alongside the family in making disciples of our little ones teaching them how to love, serve and worship the Lord in everything they do. This is being accomplished through many avenues such as Sunday morning services, AWANA, Kid’s Connection and Forged (a group specific to 5th graders to help them forge a foundation of Faith before they move forward into our Youth Ministry).
Makayla Cheek, Administrative Ministry Assistant
Coming soon…
Jane Casey, Congregational Care
Jane Casey joined First Baptist Church Murrells Inlet staff in September 2014 as administrative assistant. Prior to this she retired from a lifelong career with the South Carolina Department of Education as Payroll Supervisor and Consultant. Jane graduated in 1965 from Wingate University in Wingate, North Carolina, receiving an Associate degree in Business. Her love for Jesus has given her a passion for prayer and loving and serving others. Currently, she is serving our church in Congregational Care.
Jamie Vanderlip, Building and Grounds Coordinator
Jamie Vanderlip has been attending FBCMI for almost 10 years and joined us on staff as Building and Grounds Coordinator in July 2020. Jamie has lived in Pawleys Island most of his life. He attended Erskine College and received a degree in Physical Education. He also met his wife, Turtle, at Erskine and they were married in 2010. Jamie, Turtle, and their daughter, Riley Tide, now live in Pawleys Island and enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, boating and hiking. Jamie has worked in various fields since college, ranging from from alligator wranglin’ to a fine jeweler, which makes him the perfect fit for a position that requires so many different skills.
Joanna Slagle, Co-Director of Students
Coming soon…
Noah Garland, Co-Director of Students
Noah Garland joined the staff at First Baptist Murrells Inlet in June of 2021. He graduated with a Bachelor of Christian Studies from North Greenville University in May of 2021. Before joining here, Noah worked part-time in the Recreational department of FBC Spartanburg for almost three years. He also served as an intern for a summer and continued to volunteer in the children’s department while working as one of the Rec crew.
Noah is from Roebuck, SC and graduated from Dorman High School in 2016. He felt his call to ministry while serving as a Recreational intern in 2019. He counts it a great joy to be in the Ministry and enjoys both teaching and learning from the Word of God.
Brooke Surface, FBCMI Academy Director
Brooke Surface has been apart of First Baptist Church Murrells Inlet since 2013. In 2012 she began serving as the K3 teacher in our Academy. Later years teaching in the K4 class. She has been teaching preschool and working with children since 2006. In 2016 Brooke then followed the call to be the Operational Director of the Academy.
Brooke and her husband, Brian, both are originally from West Virginia. She attended West Virginia University and studied Elementary Education. Then continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro when her and Brian were first married and resided in Winston Salem, NC for a short time. They moved to South Carolina in 1999 and bought their first home in Pawleys Island, where they decided to start their family.
Brooke and Brian have two daughters, Hannah and Caroline that are both in college.
Margaret Tucker, Academy Assistant Director
Margaret Tucker joined First Baptist Church Murrells Inlet staff in February 2017 as a ministry assistant. She has lived in Pawleys Island since July 2012. Margaret graduated in 1998 from Clemson University, receiving a degree in Marketing.
Margaret has worn many hats over the years. Since college she has worked in marketing, been a substitute teacher, teachers assistant, and preschool teacher. One of her most favorite jobs was working with her family at Rowland Funeral Home in her hometown of North Augusta, SC. She happily describes herself as Brian’s wife and Margaret Ann and Lily’s mom.
Loryn Hurston, Children’s Ministry Assistant
Loryn Hurston joined the staff at FBCMI Academy in January 2019, where ironically, she graduated from preschool in 1999. On March 31st, the Lord opened the door for her to become the Children’s Ministry Assistant at First Baptist Church Murrells Inlet. Loryn graduated in 2017 from Coastal Carolina University, receiving a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Following graduation she accepted a teaching position at a local preschool where she taught until joining the staff at FBCMI.
Loryn is a native of Pawleys Island. She was blessed to grow up in a strong Christian home with a family who had a great desire for ministry. Her grandfather was a pastor and her mother’s family traveled all over the southeast ministering through music and the Word.
Loryn also enjoys the beach, singing, baton twirling, and chocolate!