Our Core Beliefs

SPC | Seneca Presbyterian Church


Seneca Presbyterian Church has been involved in the life of Seneca and Oconee County since our founding in 1875. We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and are connected with over two million fellow Presbyterians worshiping in 10,000 congregations across the United States.

Presbyterians have been around for almost 500 years. We trace our theological heritage to John Calvin and share that heritage with other denominations in what we call the Reformed Family of Faith.  Presbyterians are known for our colleges and our educated clergy.  We embrace the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper).

We practice a thoughtful faith – one that engages both mind and heart. We believe we should use that mind in interpreting the Bible and in understanding who God is, and what God is doing in the world. We also believe that we don’t have to agree on everything. We do believe in an important core of faith, but we also know that faithful Christians can disagree even on important concerns.

What is that important core of faith? Jesus Christ is Lord. The love and grace of God is available to all.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
   Led by the Holy Spirit, we focus on being a welcoming, inclusive, and loving community of faith marked by hospitality, humility, compassion, and service. In response to God’s abundant love and grace, we invite and encourage all those seeking to know God and work out His calling in their lives.
   We strive to witness God’s love by being disciples who are continually centered in scripture, enriched by study, empowered by worship, nurtured by prayer, and joyful in fellowship. Together we seek to serve and minister to those in need in our community and around the world.  

MEMBERSHIP
Open to all.  Please join us.

SPC

Membership is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and who are willing to serve this church with their prayers, presence, gifts, and service.

Seneca Presbyterian Church is a historically rich congregation with a passion for worship. We'd love to share more with you about our love for Christ and for each other. If you'd like to lean more about us, or even about becoming a member of our church, please reach out to Rev. David Howell at pastor@sprez.org so that he can follow up with you personally. In addition, we periodically offer a ""Discover SPC"" class, and Rev. Howell can tell you more about that class as well.

Leadership and Staff

Rev. David Howell
Rev. David Howell
Pastor  [EMAIL]

A graduate of Clemson University and Erskine Theological Seminary, David began his career in the textile industry and later worked as a business and information technology consultant. After completing seminary, he has served as a Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor for Discipleship, and Stated Supply Solo Pastor.

David is blessed to be married to Angie for over 30 years. They have two grown children who are beginning their families as well as two wild puppies!

Davis truly loves Jesus and is so excited to serve and celebrate alongside the members of SPC as they grow in their faith and shine Christ’s light.  

Rev. Richard Caldwell - Parish Associate SPC
Rev. Richard Caldwell
Parish Associate  [EMAIL]

Richard served as the Interim Pastor of Seneca Presbyterian Church from 2007-2010. Ironically, what Presbyterians call the hand of God, our former pastor Nancy Morris served with Richard while he was pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia. When Seneca Presbyterian called Nancy as pastor, Richard was invited and graciously consented to serve as our Parish Associate. It is a volunteer position for him.

Richard serves in the ministry of visitation and often as the “guest” preacher. Richard holds degrees from Wheaton College and Columbia Theological Seminary. He served as pastor, associate pastor, and interim pastor in congregations located in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina for over forty years prior to retirement. He is married to Susan and their blended family includes 5 children and 12 grandchildren.

Shawn Thomas - Dir. of Music & Comm. - SPC
Shawn Thomas
Director of Music and Communications  [EMAIL]

Shawn joined the SPC family in November, 2022 after 7 ½ years of leading worship in South Florida and 13 years prior of full-time travel in music ministry. As a Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, many of Shawn’s original works are included in the CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) Library, and he participated as a voting “Grammy” member of the NARAS from 2009-2015. His ministry has served as a training resource for churches including consultation on leading worship, tech/media, and branding/communication, and he is the host of the online social media community, Worship-Together.com. Shawn is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a BA in Music Industry and Recording Industry Management. He and his husband of 14 years, Brian Ladd, live in Central where their Australian Eskimo, Murphy, allows them to share space.

Administrative Assistant SPC
Search in Progress
Administrative Assistant  [EMAIL]

For information about the application process for this position, contact Gary Owens (Administration) at growens@gmail.com.

Ernie Lombard - Parish Nurse - SPC
Ernie Lombard
Parish Nurse  [EMAIL]

Ernie became our Parish Nurse in August 2014. He received his Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Clemson University and is a native resident of Oconee County. Ernie’s nursing background includes work at Oconee Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Department and as a Case Manager.

After employment at Seneca Presbyterian, he completed the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing curriculum at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Steve Cooper, Interim Organist
Steve Cooper
Interim Organist  [SEARCH IN PROGRESS]

Steve is a native of Asheville, NC and a lifelong church musician. He completed his training at Greensboro College (Greensboro, NC), and has served United Methodist, Baptist and Moravian congregations in western North Carolina. In the last decade, he returned to college at Greenville Tech to train as an occupational therapy assistant, and currently works with school children in the Pendleton area.

For more information about the application process for part-time organist, contact Gary Owens at growens@gmail.com.

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