Meet the Staff
Michael Bowers - Senior Pastor
mbowers@northstate.net
Michael Bowers served as the Student Minister at Rich Fork until March 1, 2005. After serving for ten years in the student ministry, seven of those at Rich Fork, Michael, and his wife Emily, felt God was leading them to a different role of ministry. On February 27, 2005, the church voted to elect him as the senior pastor.
Michael has a Masters of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. His wife Emily is a stay at home mom with their three children Bailey, William, and Jonathan.
For more information about Pastor Michael, visit his blog at www.mdbowers.blogspot.com.
Bob James - Education/Administration
bjames@northstate.net
Bob joined Rich Fork in September of 1994. He has worked in several churches in the southeast and for a five year period with Lifeway Christian Resources as a computer consultant. Bob is married with two children, Jared and Lindsay. His wife Caron also works in full time Christian service.
Bob graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Southwestern Seminary in December of 1978 earning the Master of Divinity degree. Bob's hobbies include flying, woodworking and hangliding.
Favorite Bible Verse: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13
Charlie Jones - Music Minister
cjones@Northstate.net
Charlie Jones has been the Music Pastor at Rich Fork Baptist Church since September, 2003. Prior to this time Charlie was ministering in South Florida at First Baptist Church in Delray Beach. He has served in South Florida for many years but God has called him and his family to North Carolina. While ministering in New Orleans Charlie completed his masters degree in Music at The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His wife Debi has a degree in Secondary Education and a minor in Religious Education and has served along side him for over twenty years. They have two sons Jeremy, who presently lives in Florida, and Ryan, who is in eighth grade at Westchester Country Day School.
Charlie and Debi composed a Passion Play entitled,"Behold The Cross" and are currently working on a Summer with the Arts program that reaches out to communities with high energy musical adventures. Charlie enjoys composing, and playing tennis. He loves music ministry and enjoys teaching the basics of Worship.
Favorite Quote: "I believe in Christianity, as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but by it, I see everything else." - C.S. Lewis
Favorite Verse: "For I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Lee Hedrick - Minister of Outreach / Recreation
lhedrickrfbc@Northstate.net
Lee Hedrick began work at Rich Fork on September 15, 2003. He has attended and grown up in Rich Fork since birth. He graduated from Greensboro College with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a minor in Business Administration. After graduating college in December 1999, he began work at the Thomasville YMCA and served as Athletic Director for 4 years before accepting his call into ministry. His wife, Melinda, is a stay at home mom with their two boys Rod and Garrett. Lee's hobbies include fishing, playing golf, and working in the yard.
Favorite Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:13
Darlene Brown - Treasurer/Administrative Assistant
dalbrown@northstate.net
Darlene came to Rich Fork in July of 1998. Prior to coming to Rich Fork she worked for United Way of Windham County in Brattleboro, Vermont as an Administrative Assistant and prior to United Way worked as a Trust Liasion for Banknorth Group in Brattleboro, Vermont. Darlene, along with her husband Dan, reside in Thomasville, NC and are the parent's of three children, Jeff of Thomasville, NC, Kim of Porter Corners, NY and Jolene Snider, who along with husband Brian and daughters Piper Sue Ann and Julia Jokate live in Wake Forest, NC. Darlene graduated from Community College of Vermont with a business degree.
In her spare time Darlene works as a volunteer for Hospice of Davidson County, and enjoys time with her granddaughters Piper and Julia, her many pets, and working in her flower garden.
Favorite Bible Verse: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3
Ivan Crissman - Minister of Missions/Senior Adults
missions-seniors@Northstate.net
Ivan was born in High Point, North Carolina. He was schooled at UNC-CH and UNC-C with degrees in mathematics, psychology and school administration. He has been married to his wife Bonita for 31 years. They have two children, Travis, aged 26 and Anna, aged 23, both of whom live in Raleigh. Ivan retired from the principalship at Thomasville Primary School in June of 2000. He began doing mission work in Honduras with his brother-in-law, Jimmy Kiker in 1993. He has also done short term trips to Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, West Virginia, Eastern North Carolina, New York, and Alaska.
Favorite Bible Verse: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
Kathy Laskis - Church Secretary
kathyl@northstate.net
Kathy came to Rich Fork in February of 2004 to fill in for Lori who was on maternity leave. When Lori decided to be a full time mom, Kathy came back permanently on June 1, 2004. Kathy was born in Iowa and raised in Greenville, S.C. She graduated from Winthrop College (now University) in 1971 with a BS degree in Home Economics/ Secondary Education and minors in Physical Education and Science. Kathy has 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. Kathy is a Charted Member of the Thomasville Home Educators Support Group, Education Director at her church, and a Cadette/ Senior Girl Scout Leader. Kathy enjoys swimming, sewing, and camping.
Favorite Bible Verse: "All things work together for good to those who love and serve the Lord." Romans 8:28
Matt Bryant - Youth Minister
Matt@rfsm.com
Matt has been a member of Rich Fork for a number of years and has recently joined our staff as Youth Minister. He Graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications with a minor in Spanish. He is currently attending Southeastern Theological Seminary with plans to receive his Masters of Divinity. Matt married Brittany Yates(now Bryant) in May of 2006.
Current Musical Listening: The David Crowder Band, Starfield, Nate Huff, Josh Fredette, Frank Sinatra
Current Readings: Blue Like Jazz, Mere Christianity, Velvet Elvis, The Ragamuffin Gospel Visual Edition
Currently Most Liked Websites: something.com, rfsm.com, espn.com, veer.com
Pets Name: Yoda
Holly Grissom - Part-Time Preschool Minister
hgrissom@northstate.net
Holly joined the staff in December 2005. Holly has been a member of Rich Fork since 1999. In addition to serving Rich Fork, Holly is also a 6th Grade Math teacher at Braxton Craven School in Trinity, NC.
Holly is the proud mother of two wonderful children, Nicholas who is 5 years old and Hannah who is 2 years old. Her fabulous husband, Steve is employed at United Healthcare. As a family, they enjoy Camp Out Nights every Friday in their living room.
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
JoAnn Johnson - Church Secretary
joannjo@northstate.net
JoAnn joined the staff at Rich Fork in August 2006. She was born in Seneca, SC, and grew up in King, NC. After studying four years at High Point University, she went on to serve as newspaper editor of several Stokes and Forsyth County publications, including King Times News, Danbury Reporter and The Weekly Independent. JoAnn makes her home in Thomasville with husband Brian and their four children - Jordan, 15; Annie, 11; Elliot, 7; and Emma, 4. She enjoys reading, playing video games and spending time with her family.
Favorite Bible verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." ~Proverbs 3:5-6
Gaylin Stewart - Children's Minister
gaylinstewart@northstate.net
Gaylin Stewart became Children's Minister at Rich Fork in October 2006. She has a degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas and also studied Religious Education at Gardner-Webb. She and her family have been members at Rich Fork for 6 years.
Previous life adventures include employment at Baptist Children's Homes of NC, and full time staff at the North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell. She has directed programming for children, seniors, women, youth and families and was a writer of materials for youth. She loves camp and VBS and the immense curiosity of children! Gaylin says her greatest treasures are husband Tim and sons Kevin Huff, Ryan Huff (UNC-Charlotte student) and Nate Huff (Lead Worshipper at a new church in Asheville).
Favorites: swimming, biking, scrapbooking, reading a good book by a roaring fire.
Favorite scripture verses: Psalms 61:3 Isaiah 63:9
Jeff Hudler - Director of Audio and Video
jhudler@northstate.net
Jeff came to Rich Fork in May 2007 to serve as the Director of Audio and Video. Jeff had been in the petroleum industry for almost 18 years before being called into full time ministry in September 2006. Jeff served as a volunteer sound technician for 17 years in his former churches. Jeff and his family come to us from Spartanburg, SC. His wife Cathy is a stay at home mom with their children, Cody and Macie.
Pets: Sky (Skywalker) a Miniature Schnauzer
Favorites: Spending time with family, golf, and mixing live sound
Favorite scripture verses: Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight."