About Us
Our Mission Statement:
To all who are burdened and need comfort; to all who are friendless and want friendship; to all who sin and need a savior; to all who pray and all who should; to all who want a place of worship and service; and to whosoever will, this church opens wide its doors and in the name of Jesus says, “Welcome.”
Our Staff
Pastor – Grady Walden – 2005 – Present
Grady graduated from Mercer University with a major in Christianity. He completed his Master 0f Divinity from The Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. After serving as a pastor of four churches in Georgia and as a hospice chaplain, Grady was called to our church.
Pastor Grady and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three sons: Brian & Olivia, Aaron & Ashley, and Caleb & Taylor; and the grandparents of one grandson, Will. Lisa is a retired educator and is active in the music ministries.
Church Secretary - Sara Payne
Sara oversees the operation of the church office and assists the pastor and staff with a variety of administrative duties, as well as generating publications and maintaining records for the congregation. She serves as the public face of the church and the first line of contact for members of the parish, visitors, and newcomers. She can be reached at 706-754-2643 for information on the schedule of church activities.
Minister of Music – Curt Fredrick – 1999 - Present
Curt graduated from Mercer University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Music. He completed his Master of Music and Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served previous churches as music minister and youth minister before coming to our church. He serves our church as worship coordinator, accompanist, and soloist. He recruits and trains children, youth, and adults in music skills through choirs, handbells, and ensembles. He also teaches students private piano, music theory, and guitar.
Curt and his wife Sabrina are parents of 2 children, Salina and Shaye, and have 5 grand children. She is active in the church choir, hand bells and a soloist during worship.
Youth Director – Coley Mize
Coley was born and raised in Toccoa, Georgia. She graduated from North Georgia College and State University with a degree in Nursing. She has worked as a Pediatric Nurse for 15 years.
Coley and her husband Jon are parents of 2 children, Kate and Luke. They reside in Clarkesville, Georgia.
Organist – Joyce Long
At the age of twelve, Joyce served as organist at Long Creek Baptist Church in Warren County, Georgia. She received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Master of Education in Media from Georgia State College for Women. She has served as organist at First Baptist Church in Thomson, Georgia; Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon Georgia; and First Baptist Church in Dublin, Georgia.
OUR HISTORY
Clarkesville Baptist Church was organized on August 18, 1888, over J.W.West’s store. A few people, already members of the Baptist denomination, constituted a presbytery for organizing a church. The presbytery was organized by electing Rev. J.L.R. Barrett as moderator. After a sermon was preached, letters were presented by 8 people; and they were recognized as a fully constituted church. The church was named Clarkesville Baptist Church. On April 6, 1889, the church trustees bought a parcel of land and proceeded to build a place of worship.
On January 18, 1939, the church voted to build a new building which was at the location of our present sanctuary. In 2007, the sanctuary was completely renovated under the direction of Pastor Grady Walden.
Clarkesville Baptist Church has a long history of supporting local, state, national, and international missions.
Today, Clarkesville Baptist Church continues to welcome all who are searching for a place for fellowship, Bible study, worship, and to serve our God through Jesus Christ.
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