by engaging people where they are, as they are
by fostering a congregation where people can be their authentic selves
by welcoming everyone into the wonder of God’s love
by inviting the questions of life and the challenge of scripture to transform us
by listening deeply to care intentionally
Assistant Preschool Director
aheenan@fbcaiken.org
Alison grew up in Johnston, SC. She has two older siblings, Ashley and Angela. Her parents are Marshall and Beverly McGee. Alison attended Philippi Baptist Church her entire life with her family. Here is where she learned her love of Christ and the importance of having a church family. After graduating high school, she attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2002 in Retail Management. In 2009, she moved to Greenville, SC to become a store manager of a national clothing company. She got married in 2010 to her best friend and husband, Danny Heenan. While in Greenville, they welcomed their first daughter, Sloan, in the spring of 2017. Danny had a job opportunity in October 2017 to move to Aiken, SC and be closer to both of their families. They had their second daughter, Loren, in fall of 2019. Sloan started attending Aiken’s First Baptist Preschool in 2019. Danny and Alison became members of Aiken’s First Baptist Church in 2022. While being blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home and raise their children, Alison always enjoyed the preschool activities and programs. She started working at the preschool in 2021 as a lead teacher. She was promoted to Assistant Director of the Preschool in 2024. She loves Aiken’s FBC Preschool and believes in its positive impact on its families/community. Alison has always had a relationship with the Lord and puts her faith and trust in Him. Her favorite bible verse is Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know I am God” because he is always in control. In her free time, Alison enjoys spending time with her family, friends, being outdoors, and cheering on her favorite team-USC Gamecocks. She is an avid animal lover!! She has two dogs-Brice and Staley and two kitties-Minnie and Bella.
Preschool Director
kmitchell@fbcaiken.org
Kim was born in Albany, GA and lived in South Georgia until her fourth-grade year when her family relocated to Williston, SC. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina-Aiken with dual certification in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Kim received a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in Divergent Learning from Columbia College.
Kim retired in 2023 after serving twenty-eight years as a public-school teacher. She began her teaching career in Williston at Kelly Edwards Elementary before moving to Aiken in 2000. Employed by Aiken County Public School District, she taught at Aiken Elementary and Millbrook Elementary. During her twenty-eight years of service, she taught first grade for twenty-four years and four-year-old kindergarten for four years. She served in various leadership roles both at the school level and the district level.
Kim became the Preschool Director in June 2023. Kim believes in providing a nurturing environment where children can learn about God and grow in their faith. She believes children learn best through play which provides them the opportunity to explore, discover, create, and imagine. Kim values and respects the relationships she has built with the children and their families in our community.
Kim is married to Dave Mitchell. They have two grown children, Hannah and Hogan. Hannah resides in Aiken and Hogan resides in Greensboro, NC. They also have four-legged boys, Kylo, Obi, and Chewie. Kim loves spending time with her three dogs, attending Pilates’s classes, running, traveling, reading, and being outdoors.
Communications Specialist & Organist/Accompanist
aderr@fbcaiken.org
Anna grew up here in Aiken, SC, and her love of music began with piano lessons and music theatre in elementary school. This led to pipe organ lessons in high school and also participation in band, orchestra, and church choir. In 2012, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in organ and bassoon at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. In 2015, she obtained a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition to playing piano and organ, Anna enjoys graphic design and illustration. Anna is married to our Director of Music and Worship, Zach Derr, and they have three children: Bennett, Wesley, and Eliza.
Director of Administration
cburton@fbcaiken.org
Christian was born in Atlanta and grew up in the mountains of North Georgia. He holds the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree from the University of Georgia, the Master of Business Degree from Kennesaw State University, and the Master of Divinity Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Christian has 30 plus years of ministry experience as Pastor and Director of Pastoral Care. For a time, he also managed his family’s chicken farm!
Christian’s passion is keeping everybody on the same page and creating community. He is glad to do that at AFBC.
He is married to Dana (an educator), and they have a daughter and son-in-law in Simpsonville, S.C.
Christian enjoys playing mediocre guitar and ukulele, reading, travel, running and hiking.
Director of Music and Worship
zderr@fbcaiken.org
Born and raised in Aiken, SC, Zach has an enduring love for the area and its community. In 2012, he graduated from The University of South Carolina in Columbia with a Bachelor of Music with emphasis in education. He spent the seven years in Aiken County Public Schools as a band director and general music educator. Zach’s life has been filled with a passion for making music, spending time performing in and with multiple choirs, bands, and orchestras throughout the state. His primary instrument is euphonium, and he sings bass. He considers the opportunity to create music for the Lord as one of the greatest blessings in his life. When not making music, Zach can be found spending time with his wife, Anna, their sons, Bennett and Wesley, and their daughter, Eliza. This time is spent traveling, running, and reading.
Administrative Assistant
office@fbcaiken.org
Born and raised in Aiken, SC, LeAnne resides in Windsor with her husband Luke. They have three children- Alan, Ethan and Mya. In prior years, she has worked as an administrative assistant for a local accounting/tax firm before taking a secretary position with Aiken County Public School District. She has over 10 years of experience with a variety of office-related positions. In her spare time, she enjoys watching documentaries, fishing, family time and spoiling her pets.
Minister to Children and Families
mwaller@fbcaiken.org
Gail was born and raised in Augusta, Ga. Windsor, SC has been home for 20 years. She began working at Aiken’s First Baptist Church in 2011 and served in churches in Augusta since 1999. She accepted Christ at an early age at Crawford Avenue Baptist Church in Augusta, GA., and is now a member at Mt. Beulah Baptist Church in Windsor, SC. Gail has 3 children – Andrew, Matthew, and Rebecca. Grandmother to two perfect grandkids Andrew and Andie Grae. Gail enjoys spending time with family and spending time with a menagerie of animals on the farm.
Administrative Assistant
lland@fbcaiken.org
Lillian moved to Aiken from her birthplace of Cleveland, TN, at the age of five when her father accepted a position at Savannah River Plant. She graduated from Aiken High School and went on to Licensed Practical Nursing School in Aiken. She is also a trained Emergency Medical Technician and volunteer fire fighter. She has previous experience in the medical field for over twenty years serving in several positions including nursing and management in hospitals, medical equipment companies, and group homes for mentally and physically challenged individuals. She has served on several volunteer fire departments and first responder organizations. She has six children and many, many grandchildren. She loves the outdoors and enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping. She has worked at Aiken’s First Baptist Church since December, 2017. She first was the Music Department Assistant and presently serves as Ministry Assistant.
Minister of Youth and Pastoral Care
slaurence@fbcaiken.org
Sarah was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, and has come home to Aiken’s First Baptist to serve the community of faith which has nurtured her spiritual growth and development since she was a teenager. Sarah graduated from the University of South Carolina-Aiken with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in the Spring of 2018, and immediately began at Gardner-Webb School of Divinity in the fall. She graduated with her Master of Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling in 2021. Sarah has always had a passion for youth ministry. Her philosophy of youth ministry is, “love God, love self, love others.” She strives to provide a place for students to authentically be themselves while also walking alongside them as they discover new pieces of their identities. In addition to serving as our student ministries intern, Sarah also served as an intern at First Baptist Church, Greenville. She has also served as a hospital chaplain while completing an extended unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Sarah has a rich history with Aiken’s First Baptist, and she is thrilled to be back serving alongside us. In her free time, Sarah enjoys playing guitar, discovering new vinyl for her collection, and spending as much time as possible with her Border Collie, August.
Darin was born and raised in Georgia. He calls Lavonia, GA his hometown. Thus, he is a lifelong and avid Georgia Bulldog fan. He graduated from Tuett McConnell College, Cleveland, GA with an AA degree, Samford University, Birmingham, AL with a BA degree and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville KY., with a MDiv/CE degree. Darin served as a youth minister at Warren Baptist Church, Augusta, GA; Pastor, Fellowship Baptist Church, Gibson, GA. He is retired as a State (Georgia) Parole Officer and served for 30 years. He accepted Christ as a young person at Poplar Spring Baptist Church, Lavonia, GA and attends Mt. Beulah Baptist Church, Windsor, SC. Darin is married to Gail and enjoys spending time with his children and is completely captivated by his grandchildren, Andrew and Andie. He began working at Aiken’s First Baptist Church in January, 2021. His passion is raising thoroughbreds and working on his farm.
Senior Pastor
jcarroll@fbcaiken.org
John has served in various ministry positions in the church, the non-profit world, and global missions. He has been a pastor in Virginia, a pastoral assistant for community engagement and disciple formation in North Carolina, and a youth minister in Georgia. He also started a homeless ministry in college, engaged in tsunami relief work in Indonesia after the 2004 Southeast Asia Tsunami, and worked as an assistant building coordinator with the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity. From 2007 to 2009, John served alongside his wife, Casey, as field personnel with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Southeast Asia working with a clean water project. Interspersed among these various ministry opportunities, John received his Bachelors in Christianity from Mercer University and his Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity.
John’s work and volunteer experience speak to his calling to touch the pain-laced places of life with tangible and redeeming acts of presence, justice, and love. He also loves running, cooking, reading, carpentry, and good cups of coffee.
John is married to Casey who is a licensed clinical social worker, and together they are parenting their three sons Josiah, Elliot, and Asa.