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

Senior Pastor

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.

Dr. Zach Jones

Worship Pastor

Zach and his wife Terra have been married for 20 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 Pastor

Nahun and his wife, Belly, joined our staff in 2024. Before coming here, Nahun spent many years as a church planter in Peru.

Ford Pfister

Associate Pastor, College and Young Adults

Ford and his wife, Rebecca, joined our staff in October 2020. Before coming to BFBC, Ford served with Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, NC, where he helped develop and launch the Apprentice Program, an initiative created to identify, equip, and mobilize the next generation of Christian non-profit business leaders.

He holds a degree in Christian Studies from North Greenville University and is currently finishing a Master of Divinity through Southern Seminary, with certificates in Christian leadership, and theology.

At BFBC, Ford oversees our Next Gen ministry team, serving children and students from birth through high school, and he also leads our college and young adult ministry.

When he’s not in the office, Ford enjoys just about anything that involves competition outdoors: pickleball, rock climbing, disc golf, and volleyball are his current favorites.

Blake Patton

Student Pastor

Blake is our new Student Pastor and we are so excited to welcome him to our church family!

Dawn Maness

Children’sMinistry Director

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 the 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.