Our Staff

We are blessed to have a loving and faithful leadership team. Scroll down to learn more about each. Contact information has been shared if you need to reach out.

Pastors, Ministers & Directors

Dr. Chad Rickenbaker

Chad joined the staff of BFBC in Summer 2013. He received a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served in pastorates in North and South Carolina. He and his family are originally from the lower part of South Carolina but have served in the Upstate of South Carolina since 2001. Our pastor has a heart for reaching the community, discipling believers, and preaching expository messages from God’s Word. Join us for a worship service this week to hear our pastor’s heart for teaching God’s Word.

Ford Pfister

Minister of Students
ford@bereafbc.org

Ford and his wife, Rebecca, joined our staff in October 2020. Prior to serving at BFBC, Ford served on staff at Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, NC helping to develop and launch the Apprentice Program. He is a graduate of North Greenville University with a degree in Christian Studies, and is currently studying at Southern Seminary online pursuing a Masters in Divinity with a concentration in apologetics and philosophy. Ford oversees the ministry for 6th graders through college.

Dr. Zach Jones

Worship Pastor
zach@bereafbc.org

Zach and his wife Terra have been married for 19 years. They have three teenage sons. Zach holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music, a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry, and a Ph.D. in Theology and Worship. He has 20-plus years experience with leading worship in a variety of settings. In addition to serving as the Worship Pastor for Berea First Baptist Church he also teaches classes on worship theology and worship history as an adjunct for Liberty University’s School of Music.

Nahun Gil

Hispanic Minister
nahun@bereafbc.org

Nahun comes to our church with decades of experience with Hispanic culture, having been a church planter and missionary overseas for many years. He and his wife have three amazing daughters.

Ryan Pate

Discipleship & Missions Pastor
ryan@bereafbc.org

Ryan and his wife, SarahVi, are Florida natives. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of West Florida and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was licensed to the ministry in 1998 and ordained in 2001. Ryan and SarahVi have two children, Bethany Rose and Isaac Daniel. Ryan is an active soul winner and loves serving the local community. He also enjoys playing golf, reading, hunting and fishing.

Dawn Maness

Interim Director of Children’s and Education Ministries
dawn@bereafbc.org

Dawn, and her husband, Jeff, grew up in the Student Ministry at BFBC. They have three young adult children, who are also active members of our church. Dawn received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Erskine College and a Master of Education from Southern Wesleyan University. She was a public-school teacher for many years before becoming Director of our Child Development Center for several years. Now Dawn is excited to lead our Children’s Ministries and facilitate the discipleship of the youngest members of our community.