Our Staff
Van Kicklighter
Transitional Senior Pastor
Dr. Kicklighter is currently serving as our church’s Transitional Senior Pastor as we search for a new permanent Senior Pastor. Following a season of secular employment, Van and his family led in the planting, or starting, of several new churches in Oregon and Nebraska. He then served in a number of denominational roles with several state conventions and at the national level. Van has served several churches as an interim or transitional pastor.
Van and his wife Robin are celebrating 47 years of marriage. They have 4 grown children and their spouses, 2 granddaughters and a grandson on the way.
Mark McMahan
Associate Pastor for Music & Worship
Rev. Mark McMahan, an accomplished musician and singer/songwriter, serves as the Associate Pastor of Music and Worship. Outside of his love for God’s word, Mark enjoys playing golf and working on construction projects. His wife Cyndi enjoys reading and the ocean. They have two daughters who are now grown and grandchildren they enjoy spending time with.
Tara Webb
Minister to Students
Rev. Tara Webb is our current Minister to Students and Church Pianist. She has served at FBC since 1995. She was born and raised in Clinton and grew up at FBC. A graduate of Presbyterian College, she now serves as the Senior Vice President & Chief Trust Officer at Arthur State Bank. Tara has two adult children, Amanda and Braeden. Her children are both involved in worship leadership (keeping the music ministry family legacy going since Tara’s great-grandfather).
Melissa Chandler
Minister to Children
Melissa Chandler serves as our Minister to Children. Melissa grew up at First Baptist and has a deep love for children. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently a 4k teacher at M.S. Bailey Child Development Center. She enjoys sharing God's love with all children. She and her husband Austin have two daughters, Anna Grace and Amelia.
Jay Roland
Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Outreach
Growing up at First Baptist Clinton, Jay has a deep love for this church family and the Clinton community. He is a husband to Autumn and a dad to Jilliana and Charles. Jay loves helping people take their next step, or their first step, in following Jesus. Jay enjoys reading, cheering for the Clemson Tigers, and just about anything that involves the outdoors. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Systematic Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Danielle Bell
Weekday Preschool Director
Danielle Bell is the Director of our Weekday Preschool. Originally from Canada, Danielle has lived in Clinton for over half her life. She has always loved working with children. Danielle takes great joy in teaching the littles that come through our preschool about God's love for each of them! Danielle and her husband David have four children, Sean, Kaelyn, Liam, and Rylee. Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, camping, and tending her chickens.