Our Staff
Intentional Interim Pastor — Reverend Dr. Dan R. Vincent
We want to welcome Dr. Dan Vincent, as our Intentional Interim Pastor to Fernwood Baptist Church. Dr. Vincent comes to Fernwood with a wealth of experience both as a full-time and interim pastor. He has just completed an interim at First Baptist Church of Pendleton. He also served as an interim at Augusta Heights Baptist Church in Greenville and Corinth Baptist Church in Easley.
He and his wife, Margaret, live in Powdersville, SC. They have two daughters, one son, and seven grandchildren. Dan enjoys golf and woodturning.
He is originally from Kershaw, SC, and received his undergraduate degrees from Anderson College and Southern Wesleyan University. He received his M.Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Erskine Theological Seminary. He received his certification in interim ministry from the American Baptist Association in 2006.
Director of Music Ministries & Church Organist — Rusty Keesler
Rusty Keesler has served Fernwood for more than 21 years—first as an interim organist, later as organist and Music Associate, and currently as Director of Music Ministries and church organist. Mr. Keesler has also served a variety of other upstate churches including University Lutheran in Clemson, First Baptist in Taylors, and St. John’s Lutheran in Spartanburg.
Mr. Keesler has been a professional music educator in upstate public schools for 38 years. He is a five-time Teacher of the Year, having received that award from Pendleton High School, Anderson District Four, Riverside High School, Greenville County Schools, and Middle School of Pacolet. Choirs under his leadership have performed in Carnegie Hall (3 times), the Kennedy Center (5 times), St. John the Divine and St. Bartholomew churches, the National Cathedral, the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, Disney World, a concert tour of Germany and Austria, and two PBS broadcasts.
Mr. Keesler earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance at Converse College and has done graduate studies in Music Education, Conducting, and Spirituals at Winthrop University, Converse College, USC, and Florida State. He is a past president of the SC American Choral Directors Association and is an active member of the South Carolina Music Educators Association. His other professional associations include:
National Association for Music Education American Choral Directors Association The Alliance for Arts Education
The American Guild of Organists The Choristers Guild
Presbyterian Association of Musicians Baptist Pastoral Musicians
