- Home
- Visitors
- Connect & Grow
- Share
- Living History
- Downloads
- News
- Calendar
- Weddings
- 2nd Pres Kindergarten
- Contact
Sunday School
10:00 amWorship
11:15 amVisitors
Meet Our Staff
click on each name to find out more about them!
Senior Pastor - The Rev. Cress Darwin
Bio: Cress Darwin is a Texas boy, born and raised in Fort Worth where he attended Texas Christian University. He received a BFA in theatre with a secondary focus on broadcast media. These interests led him to New York City where he was actually able to make a living as a “New York actor,” off- Broadway producer and television writer/ producer specializing in biographical documentaries for the A&E series, Biography. He is married to the former Rebecca Wesson from Columbia, SC. whom he met in New York on a Super Bowl Sunday. Rebecca is a magazine publisher and executive. She and Cress have two young daughters, Lily and Sarah who attend the finest preschool in Charleston – Second Presbyterian Kindergarten. Cress received his M.Div. from Princeton Seminary, taught in the Speech and Communications Department and earned a Masters of Theology in ethics.Quote that represents you: “The will of God will not take you where the grace of God will not sustain you.”
Life-changing book you'd recommend: Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamont
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: Happy Feeet
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Sara Groves
Why you work at Second Church: Second Church is uniquely positioned to witness to the dynamic God we proclaim and who claims us. The congregation is intergenerational and a wonderful mix of families that have worshipped here for generations and new comers to the area as well as to faith. When I was at Princeton I had prayed to serve a downtown congregation that had a sense of tradition, an appreciation for the arts and a level of sophistication while displaying a heart for mission, but most of all, that looked to Jesus, that hungered for Jesus, that unashamedly loved Jesus Christ. As unlikely as the match may have looked on paper, I believe that God has taken the template of this church and my life and is allowing us to converge for purposes that are unfolding.
Email: cdarwin@secondpresbyterianchurch.org
Phone:
Associate Pastor - The Rev. Eric Keller
Bio: Eric Keller was born on February 27, 1955, son of an Air Force nuclear physicist/rocket scientist. His mother was a part time schoolteacher. Typical Air Force “brat”, he moved around the country as a child until his father retired from the Air Force in 1968 in Pittsburgh, PA. Eric graduated from high school there and chose to attend college at a state school strangely named, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1976 with a degree in Anthropology and Psychology. He married Diane Lowery in 1977 in Pittsburgh and joined the Air Force soon after. After graduating Officer's Training School in 1979, he earned his Navigator wings before leaving the Air Force to attend seminary at San Francisco Theological Seminary, CA. Upon graduation, Diane and he went to a small, three church parish in rural Missouri in 1984 to begin pastoral ministry. Their daughter, Erika, was born soon after in October 1984. In Jan 1986, Eric left the parish and joined the US Army Chaplaincy, reporting for duty that June. His son, Josh, was born while Eric was in the Chaplain Officer Basic Course on Aug 1986. Eric's assignments were many and varied. He served as a battalion/brigade chaplain with engineers, infantry, support troops, and armor. He also served as a Family Life Chaplain, instructor at the Chaplain School, chief of the Officer Training Division, and at the Pentagon with the Army Chief of Chaplain's office. He retired from the Army in Aug 2008. Currently, Josh is a student at College of Charleston while Erika graduated from University of South Carolina (2007) and works with Saks in Washington DC. Diane works in Operations and Training at the Citadel and Eric is the Associate Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church.Quote that represents you: "A good plan executed today is better than a perfect plan executed at some indefinite point in the future."- General George Patton. I tend to have a bias for action.
Life-changing book you'd recommend: Once an Eagle by Anton Myer. The protagonist, Sam Damon, serves as an example of the type of person I always hoped to be.
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: I must admit I loved the whole, “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: The best band I recently began listening to has been around a while - Cold Play - which is a British rock band.
Why you work at Second Church: I came to Second Presbyterian for many reasons. The church is alive with excitement - doing things in Charleston that are bold and creative. This is seen everywhere in the congregation, from “Talks on Tap” to the learning/working groups that are found almost daily in the church. The congregation is a true mix of people- with the folks in it showing the care and compassion of the “Second Family”. It is my privilege to serve in this body of Christ.
Email: ekeller@secondpresbyterianchurch.org
Phone:
Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries - Mr. Colin Kerr
Bio: Colin Kerr graduated in 2006 from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he left with Magna cum Laude and a depressing amount of debt. Throughout college, he was periodically active in youth ministry, apologetics, and evangelism—both in America, England, and Irish pubs. Prior to his call to ministry, Colin was the editor-in-chief of a collegiate conservative magazine, the founder of a non-partisan political journal, originator of the American Coalition for Socio-Economic Scholarships, a Westminster College campaign manager for the 2004 Presidential election, and counsel to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (no, not really). He is also author of Guerilla Missions for the College Christian and A Heaven-Backed Rebellion: Uncovering the Political Vision of Christian Liberals, which will be released this Fall. And if Colin hypothetically had free time, he would spend it enjoying philosophical chats, surfing, skimboarding, volleyball, and constructive political discourses.Quote that represents you: "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."-Romans 12:2
Life-changing book you'd recommend: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. It’s a brilliant psychedelic thought-experiment on Heaven and Hell.
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: “Return of the Jedi”. ‘Nuff said.
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: The Rocket Summer or Andrew Bird. Love that piano pop and eerie string folksy sound.
Why you work at Second Church: Because Second Church is a visionary participant in the downtown cultural and spiritual renewal taking place in Charleston and across the country. It's building something few churches will ever have the opportunity to do and that even fewer will respond to. All those reasons — and because God made me. Seriously, I’ll tell you the story sometime. It’s pretty awesome.
Email: ckerr@secondpresbyterianchurch.org
Phone:
Director of Music and Organist - Dr. Julia Harlow
Bio:
Julia Harlow is the Director of Music and Organist at Second Church and teaches music (ear training, organ, and world music) at the College of Charleston. Originally from Iowa, her doctoral and masters degrees in organ and harpsichord performance are from the University of Oregon. She served on the board of the American Guild of Organists for 11 years and has been with us at Second Church for even more!
Quote that represents you: "There is nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the music plays itself." Johann Sebastian Bach.”
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: "The Incredibles"
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Radiohead/Thom Yorke
Why you work at Second Church: There was a felt need and all the pieces fell into place. I love the proximity to downtown and the college and how we make ourselves available to student musicians.
Email: jharlow@secondpresbyterianchurch.org
Phone:
Director of the Kindergarten - Sue Henderson
Bio:
Sue Allen Henderson has been director of the Second Presbyterian Kindergarten since 1977. She has served as an elder and as a deacon at Second Presbyterian and has served on the Christian Education Committee in several capacities including as chairman. She has been on the Boards of The Charleston Museum and Life Management. Sue is a graduate of The College of Charleston and taught kindergarten for 35 years.
Quote that represents you: “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”—Gospel of Mark 10:14
Life-changing book you'd recommend: The Education of Little Tree, Forrest Carter
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: “Dirty Dancing”
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Second Nature. They’re a good local band.
Why you work at Second Church: I was here as a member and the pastor asked me to start a kindergarten. From there, it just grew into a life-time passion. There are few things better than being able to share the Gospel with children as part of a foundational education.
Email: shenderson@secondpresbyterianchurch.org
Phone:
Quote that represents you: “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”—Gospel of Mark 10:14
Life-changing book you'd recommend: The Education of Little Tree, Forrest Carter
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: “Dirty Dancing”
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Second Nature. They’re a good local band.
Why you work at Second Church: I was here as a member and the pastor asked me to start a kindergarten. From there, it just grew into a life-time passion. There are few things better than being able to share the Gospel with children as part of a foundational education.
Email: shenderson@secondpresbyterianchurch.org
Phone:
Administrator - Mrs. Nancy Bryant
Bio: Mrs. Nancy Bryant is a native of the Charleston area. She has been a Church Administrator for nearly 25 years, serving God in three different denominations. She is blessed to be married to her best friend, Eddie. They enjoy camping, boating, off-shore fishing, and getting together with family and friends. Her spiritual gift of faith, with her passion for God and His people, and her equipping abilities has made her leadership as Administrator a great asset to Second Presbyterian Church. In addition to her work responsibilities, you will find Nancy volunteering by leading weekly Bible studies, active in missions, and care-giving. Nancy has served at Second Church since 1998. Quote that represents you: “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” –Ephesians 4:12-13
Life-changing book you'd recommend: The Bible.
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: Finding Nemo
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Lime and the Coconuts
Why you work at Second Church: I work for God, it just so happens the Presbyterians are signing my checks right now.
Email: nbryant@secondpresbyterianchurch.org
Phone:
Bio:
Quote that represents you:
Life-changing book you'd recommend:
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose:
Best band/musician you've discovered lately:
Why you work at Second Church:
Email:
Phone:
Quote that represents you:
Life-changing book you'd recommend:
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose:
Best band/musician you've discovered lately:
Why you work at Second Church:
Email:
Phone:
Bio:
Cathy Hinson came to Second Church as the young bride of a member, David Hinson, in 1975. Becoming Presbyterian, and a member of Second Church, was vastly different from her Baptist upbringing. She is certain, however, that God brought her to Second Church. She is a graduate of Charleston Southern University, when it was Baptist College, and has been a tour guide in the City since 1988. She and David are blessed to be the parents of two daughters, Ashley and Meredith. They lost Ashley in a car accident in 2000, but Meredith will soon celebrate
her 21st birthday and is working and going to school. They have two golden retrievers, Muffin and Mandy, and two cats, Nukie and Ebony. Cathy has served actively in this church for 25 years. Presently, she is the church hostess, an elder, part-time secretary, and chair the Evangelism and Tea Room Committees.
Quote that represents you: Be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem.
Life-changing book you'd recommend: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: “Dirty Dancing”. I could watch that movie over and over again.
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Well, this is an old favorite, but Better than Ezra. They wrote the song “A Lifetime” after my daughter.
Why you work at Second Church: This is where my hearts is, where God has called me to be for thirty years. I love the people, I love the mission of the church, and I love its history. That’s about all there is to it. You don’t get many better reasons than that.
Email:
Phone:
Quote that represents you: Be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem.
Life-changing book you'd recommend: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: “Dirty Dancing”. I could watch that movie over and over again.
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Well, this is an old favorite, but Better than Ezra. They wrote the song “A Lifetime” after my daughter.
Why you work at Second Church: This is where my hearts is, where God has called me to be for thirty years. I love the people, I love the mission of the church, and I love its history. That’s about all there is to it. You don’t get many better reasons than that.
Email:
Phone:
Administrative Assistant - Mrs. Ginger Christy
Bio: Ginger Christy moved to Charleston to pursue a Master's Degree in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston, but after she arrived felt led in a different direction and wanted to pursue her growing passion for the Middle East. Ginger felt she needed to pursue a completely different avenue for what God has in store for her. So now she is working at Second Church part-time while she studies Hebrew and Arabic in the evenings. Ginger has enjoyed being a part of the continual growth of this church—for it has been a blessing to me in so many ways! Quote that represents you: "A man cannot fall when he is on his face" (more of like a quote I try to live by...)
Life-changing book you'd recommend: Wild Swans by Jung Chang
Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: Transformers
Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Mike Farris
Why you work at Second Church: I needed a part time job where I could go to school as well, and Second's doors opened up for me to have that opportunity!
Email:
Phone:
Website Coordinator - Mrs. Diane Balister
Quote that represents you:
"All you can do is the best You can do"
Life-changing books you'd recommend:"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown,"The Creative Call" by Janice Elsheimer
Email: diane@balister.org
"All you can do is the best You can do"
Life-changing books you'd recommend:"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown,"The Creative Call" by Janice Elsheimer
Email: diane@balister.org