Chris Gillespie serves as the Minister to Students at First Baptist Church Hickory. Chris came on staff in the summer of 2005. Chris holds his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Clemson University and obtained his Master of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University.

Chris was married in June 2006 to his lovely wife Lydia. Lydia and Chris met while they were both obtaining their master degrees at Gardner-Webb. Chris and Lydia have one son, Jacob, and one daughter, Lily.  Chris and Lyida also have the most spoiled Shih Tzu on the face of the earth. Their dog is named Brice after Williams Brice Stadium (Home of the Gamecocks). Though Chris is a Clemson University graduate, his heart does not bleed orange. It runs garnet and black, reflecting his true colors for his South Carolina Gamecocks.

Chris enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife and his family in South Carolina. He also has a passion for travel. He loves to travel to places like Italy, Hawaii, Florida, and taking all this teenagers on awesome summer Mission Trips across our beautiful country.

Rendell joined the staff and family at FBC in September 2008, after serving as the associate minister at a Baptist church in the Charlotte area.  He is a native of Asheville, NC.  After graduating from NCSU with degrees in electrical engineering and working as a hardware designer in Raleigh, NC, Rendell responded to God’s call by seeking seminary training for ministry.  His M.Div. degree is from Gardner-Webb University’s School of Divinity.  Rendell enjoys music, playing keyboard, physical fitness, architectural drawing, working outdoors, and cooking/eating.  Rendell is passionate about building authentic relationships and helping others to do the same.

Jim and his wife Rosemary, reside in Winston-Salem where they moved after serving most recently as pastor of First Baptist Church International Congregation English Service, Parana, Brazil.  Previously, Jim has served as pastor of worship at various churches in North Carolina, and Georgia.  He has received numerous music degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jim and Rosemary and have two married children and three grandchildren.  Together they served as missionaries with International Institute for Christian Studies (IICS) for six years in Curitiba, Brazil, teaching at a medical university and serving as pastor of the English Congregation of the First Baptist Church of Curitiba.  He also ministered in Bogotá, Colombia.  Because of their international ministry, Jim and Rosemary have many "sons," "daughters," and "grandchildren" around the world.

Jim also loves gardening and traveling.