Our Staff
Blake Harwell
Senior Pastor
As the primary teaching pastor, Pastor Blake has a passion for carefully unpacking the truths of Scripture. He has served at First Baptist Church Clinton since 1998. Blake is happily married to Sharon and he has two adult children, Brindley and Abby. Blake enjoys the outdoors, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and connecting with other people.
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.
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.
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 employed as a 1st grade teacher at Thornwell Charter School. She enjoys sharing God's love with all children. She and her husband Austin have two daughters, Anna Grace and Amelia.
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).
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.
