Ministry Team
Rev. John Uldrick
Senior Pastor
A native of Clinton, South Carolina, Reverend John Uldrick serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Greenwood. He has devoted the past twenty-eight years to serving churches across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Throughout his career, he has served as a student minister and associate pastor and has played a pivotal role in leading mission programs. John’s strengths lie in his high adaptability, ease in connecting with others, clear communication skills, systematic thinking, and leadership infused with a positive attitude.
Since 1997, John has shared his life with his high school sweetheart, Jennifer. Jennifer is an Assistant Principal at Pinecrest Elementary. They have two grown children: Charles, who works at Jacksonville State University in information technology, and Annalise, who is a certified medical assistant at Mason Dermatology. She plans to enroll in a Physician’s Assistant program in 2026.
Beyond his professional and familial commitments, John finds joy in various activities. He enjoys watching college football, playing golf, being a movie/television show critic and hiking.
Dr. David Jennings
Minister of Administration
David Jennings joined the First Baptist staff in August 2008 as Minister of Administration. David and his wife Amy are graduates of Belmont University (B.S. in Secondary Education), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University (Doctor of Ministry). David served two churches in Tennessee (First Baptist Newport as Minister to Students and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church as Associate Pastor) prior to joining the FBC staff. David and Amy have one daughter, Jennifer, who is serving as Associate Pastor to Children and Families at First Baptist Church, Marion, North Carolina.
Dr. Keith Jameson
Church Music Director & Facilities Manager
Keith grew up in First Baptist Church and joined the staff in August 2021 as Church Music Director. He is a graduate of Furman University (B.M.) and holds both Master’s and Doctorate of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. For over 25 years, Keith worked as a professional opera and musical theater singer and actor, both nationally and internationally, while living in New York City. He was the Founder and General Director of the Greenwood Music Festival from 2007 to 2012. Having served as director of music for churches in Greenville, S.C., Rochester, N.Y., and Arlington, V.A., Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the music ministry at FBC.
Kayla Beard
Interim Director of Childrens Ministry
Kayla Beard is a Greenwood native and has been at First Baptist Church since 2010. She was a member of the Chancel Choir and was a recipient of the Young-Beaudrot Scholarship while obtaining her undergraduate degree in music at Lander University. In addition to singing in the Chancel Choir, Kayla has been involved at First Baptist in several capacities, such as leading the Music Makers and Young Musicians choirs, playing in the Jean O. Wood Handbell Choir, serving terms as both a member and as chair of the Children’s Committee. Kayla is a member of the Upper Room Sunday school class and the Laucius- Parham Circle. Over the years, she has volunteered with VBS, extended session and children’s church. With a K-12 teaching certification, Kayla has been teaching music in Greenwood District 50 for 10 years. She received her Masters in Education with a concentration in Diverse Learners from Lander University in May of 2024. Kayla and her husband, Cody, have two daughters, Kinlee and Karsyn, who have both been born into, dedicated at and are still growing up at First Baptist Church!
Staff
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Claudia Burch
DIRECTOR OF CHEERFUL CHERUBS
Claudia is a graduate of Furman University and has served as the Director of the Cheerful Cherubs Preschool since 1999. She also served as Minister to Children at First Baptist from 2008 to 2017. She and her husband, Jay, have three daughters (Anna, Caroline, and Catherine). Catherine is married to Scott White and they have two children (Cooper Ann and James). Caroline is married to Mac McCormick and they have two children (Lawrence and Lee).
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Rev. Mary Frances Thompson
MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Mary Frances Thompson joined the FBC staff as Ministry Assistant in March 2013. Mary Frances has a B.A. from Winthrop College (now University), a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary (PCUSA). Mary Frances grew up in First Baptist Church, West Columbia, SC, where she was ordained in June 1995. She has served as Director/Minister of Education and Minister of Children and Youth in several churches in the Columbia, SC area. She served as Chaplain for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice Greenwood Center for Female Offenders for the eight years that the facility was in Greenwood. She continues to be active in Epiphany Ministry of SC, an outreach ministry for incarcerated and at-risk youth. Mary Frances serves as Spiritual Director of the Epiphany Ministry of SC board and as Assistant Spiritual Director of the Emmaus of the Midlands board. In addition to working in the office at FBC, Mary Frances works with the FBC children in Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.She occasionally teaches an adult Wednesday night Building Block. Mary Frances represents FBC on the board of Greater Greenwood United Ministry and Greenwood Place, and on the Greenwood Council of Church Women.
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Linda Miller
FINANCIAL ASSISTANT
Linda Miller joined the FBC staff as Financial Assistant in 2010. Linda brings over thirty-five years of experience to the job. Linda is also the financial assistant for one other church and other organizations in the community. She and her husband have a son, Matthew Miller. Matthew is the pianist/organist at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Greenwood.
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Dr. Will Thomas Cleveland
CHURCH ORGANIST
Dr. Will Thomas Cleveland currently serves as the Director of Music and Organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenwood, South Carolina. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance from The Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Dr. Cleveland also holds the Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the Bachelor of Music degree in Sacred Music from Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee. His dissertation entitled, Rhythmic Freedom in Mendelssohn’s Six Organ Sonatas, focuses on rhythmic performance practice techniques in Felix Mendelssohn’s Six Organ Sonatas, Opus 65. An active concert organist, Dr. Cleveland’s solo performances have taken him to several different venues in the United States. He is married to Rodney Cleveland, and they reside in Anderson, South Carolina.