Leadership

Joey is a native South Carolinian. He grew up in Fort Mill and has lived in South Carolina for most of his life. He became a follower of Jesus Christ while a student at Anderson University (AU). He earned his Bachelor of Business Management from AU and a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). While at SEBTS, Joey met the love of his life, Ansley. They have been married since 2015 and have two sons, Jacob and Luke.
Joey has been serving in full-time vocational ministry since 2015. He came to Whitefield in 2019 as the Associate Pastor to Students. In 2025, he transitioned into the role of Senior Pastor. Joey's calling and desire is to shepherd the flock of God, and present everyone at Whitefield as mature in Christ. In his free time, Joey loves to spend time with his family and his pug named "Buddy". He also enjoys reading, watching movies, and playing sports. Joey is a fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gary was born in the mountains of East Tennessee. The son of a pastor and a military chaplain, he lived in TN, NC, VA, all before starting the 3rd grade in Forrest City, AR. However, he considers himself an “Arkansan.” He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University (1988) with a Bachelor of Music degree in Church Music. In 1991, he received his Master of Arts degree in Religion & Education from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN. Gary and his wife, Norma, a Michigan native, were college sweethearts and married on May 18, 1991. They have 3 daughters: Emily, Grace (husband, Pedro), and Bethany.  They also have 3 grandchildren. He is affectionately referred to as “Papa Cheeto!”
Gary joined the Whitefield family in 2025. Gary enjoys leading choirs, cooking, playing the piano, singing, golf, nature photography, and being a tour guide to senior adult groups. Norma enjoys quilting, crafting, reading, singing, and, most importantly, being called “Grandma”. The Powells have served churches in Arkansas, Tennessee, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Since 2007, they have been ministering as often as they can on mission trips in Romania.

Abigail has grown up in ministry and her family moved all around the South serving the Church in her youth. She considers Anderson County, SC to be her home since she moved here in 2008, not even leaving for college as she earned her BA in Christian Theology (2014) and Master of Divinity (2022) from Anderson University. She has three children who have attended Whitefield for their whole lives.
After working in private and public schools, Abigail joined the staff of Whitefield in 2018. She has many passions in ministry including introducing children to the depth of the Bible, mental health/neurodiversity and faith, and fostering a confident faith in the older children and youth volunteers. She enjoys learning about whatever her current hyperfixation is with books, podcasts, and more. She also loves family adventures with the best involving food and being outside.