Pastor Matthew Long, Ed.D [email protected]
Matt graduated from NC State with his Masters of Education in 2003. In 2016, he earned his Doctorate in Education and Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Matt has a specific interest in the Doctrine of Restoration, based on Galatians 6, and is under contract to publish a book on the topic. Matt was ordained as a Southern Baptist Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in 2015. He received a call to be the Associate Pastor at Guilford Baptist Church in 2017. Matt and Katie have been married over 24 years and have six wonderful children. As strong advocates for the sanctity of human life, two of their children have Down Syndrome. They witnessed firsthand how this special population has been decimated by abortion, and were led to adopt. In 2015, Rosie joined their family, all the way from Armenia. Matt has the heart of a teacher and one of his favorite passages of Scripture is found in Acts 8, Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian. "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone TEACHES me?' " (Acts 8:30-31). Katie dearly loves the picture of God's power and his mighty hands that can create even the smallest of designs found in Psalm 139:13-14. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Matt and Katie seek to raise children who love the Lord and who will be a witness for Him. Their hope is to lead others toward the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and into deeper fellowship with Him. |
Minister of Music Reverend David Carter, MA [email protected]
David was born in Shelby, NC and holds a MA degree in Church Worship from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. David graduated from Liberty University with his BA in October 2008 and earned his Master of Arts degree through the school of divinity in May 2012. At the age of 12, David accepted the Lord. Though God had been leading him into music ministry from an early age, David came to know Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized in the summer of 1971. David began playing the piano at 4, and receiving formal training in piano and voice at 7. By 12, he was frequently asked to sing in his local church in Polkville, North Carolina. His musical training continued through graduation from Burns High School in Lawndale, NC, June 1978. In 1979, David took the position of interim Music Director at First Baptist Church in Davidson, NC. Later that year, he returned to his home church – Pisgah Baptist in Casar, NC – where he was ordained as a Deacon. In 1982, David accepted the position of Music Director at Pisgah, holding this position until he joined the United State Navy in March of 1985. At recruit training he found himself attached to a special company called the “Triple Threat.” This company had a military choir, which David was called upon to lead. The Lord continued to use him in music ministry when David joined the base choir while attending Hospitalman Corps School. Stationed at Portsmouth, VA in 1986, David accepted the position of Music Director at Sweethaven Baptist Church in Churchland, VA, a position he held through 1994. While assigned to the Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, David continued to fulfill his duties as music director at Sweethaven. When at sea, aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, he served as organist and music director for the protestant, catholic, and Jewish services. In 1994, David was transferred to Boston, MA and found himself again leading the music and directing the church choir, this time at Community Baptist Church in South Weymouth, MA. In 1997, David and his family moved to Cherry Point, NC. The Carter family visited several churches in the area and was led to unite their lives in membership with First Baptist Church of Havelock. In 2003, David was asked to serve on the diaconate of First Baptist Church. David also sang in the Sanctuary Choir and later joined the Praise and Worship Team. On August 1, 2006, David was called to be the part-time Director of Church Music at First Baptist Church, the position he currently holds. David enjoys cooking, gardening, and – most of all – studying the Word of God and sharing his faith with others. In 1978, he married Debra Ann Cook and is the proud Father of Shelly Denice Brana, Kenneth Wayne Carter, and Joshua David Carter. He is the proud grandfather of Brice, Rebecca and Caleb Brana, Austin Carter, and Jacob, London and Kaleb Montanye, Seth and Hayleigh Carter. |
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Director of Operations Luke Richards [email protected]
Luke was born and raised in Michigan and joined the Marine Corps at 20 years old in 2015. He had spent most of that time at Cherry Point, NC. It wasn’t until Luke separated in 2020 from the military that he gave his life to Christ at 25. From that moment it has been his desire and dedication to learn the Scriptures, be surrounded by fellow Christians, and share the love of Christ. Luke graduated from Liberty University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and is pursuing further education within the Colson Fellows Program and seminary in the following year. Luke has been married to his beautiful wife, Tierney, since December 2015. They are expecting their first child in March of 2025. His desire to know the Scriptures and passion for discipleship stem from Ephesians 4:1 and Matthew 5:16. “To walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1), and “let your light so shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Tierney lives to encourage others to build their life in Christ, the one true way. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25) It is the long-term goal of Luke and Tierney to one day plant their own church to stand firm in Christian values against the ever-changing culture. |
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Ministry Assistant Amanda Hegmann [email protected]
Amanda became a Christian her senior year in high school and the Lord has guided her path since. She has had the pleasure of being a military spouse for 18 years, but is looking forward to starting the retirement journey in March of 2025. Amanda was born and raised in Maryland, but her family has recently purchased a house in Havelock and plan to retire here. Amanda and her husband have two teenage boys and would like them to finish school in one place. The Lord has always provided for her at every duty station, and she wouldn’t be here at this church now if it weren’t for Him. Amanda looks forward to many wonderful years here in Havelock and at First Baptist. |
Bookkeeper Andrea Betz [email protected]
Andrea has been married to her husband for 32 years, and they have 4 grown children and one granddaughter. Andrea spent most of her married life as a homemaker and home-schooler, and she is thankful to have had that privilege. Andrea has always loved math and is enjoying being the bookkeeper for the church. She was saved at the age of 10, and wants her life to bring honor to the Lord and to be of service to Him. |