Meet Our Family
Pastor
Earl McDonald
Earl is married to Sarah and is the father of four girls--Kaylee, Ryleigh, Kassidy and Everly.
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He is originally from eastern NC and moved to Polk County in 2020. He was formerly in Horticulture Sales and has covered areas from NY to FL, but is glad to have settled in small town Columbus. He is continuing his studies at Liberty University and always has a fresh word from the Lord.
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Sarah is Office Administrator with Red Bell Run and is a volunteer animal cruelty investigator. She assists with graphics and social media at Columbus Baptist and is also a children's teacher.
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Earl's favorite scripture is John 16:33. "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world".
emcdonaldcbc@gmail.com Tel:828 894-8588
Worship Leader
Darrien "Chili" Thorstad
Chili began leading worship at CBC in May of 2022 and he brings an extensive level of knowledge, experience and expertise to the
Sunday and Wednesday praise and worship.
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Chili works from home. He has composed and directed numerous special musical events and we look forward to what he has in store for us next!
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Two of Chili's favorite scriptures are
Psalm 66 and Psalm 100.
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columbusbaptistc@gmail.com | Tel: 828-894-8588
Deacon Chairman
Dean Graves
At Columbus Baptist, Dean may be better known as Melanie's husband. He and Mel are the proud parents of daughter, Giorgie, who lives in Boone, NC; and son, Tyler, who lives in Denver, CO.
Dean grew up in Tidioute, PA, on the western side of the Allegheny National Forest in northwest PA. He moved to Tampa, FL for work. It was there at the DMV that Dean met his wife, Melanie. After 27 years in Tampa, he and Mel moved to a small farm in Campobello, SC in 2015, where they raised Scottish Highlands. Dean currently works in marketing at AdventHealth Polk (formerly St. Luke's Hospital).
His life verse is Galatians 2:20.
columbusbaptistc@gmail.com Tel: 828 894-8588
Deacon
Gary Bay
Gary was led to the Lord by Campus Crusade for Christ while at UNC-A in 1973. He has been blessed to have retired from 2 careers. First from the U.S. Air Force in 1995 and then from Internal Auditing and Information Technology careers while with Buncombe County Government in 2014.
He and Becky have 2 adult children. A daughter in Forest City and a son in Raleigh. They moved to Polk County in July of 2020. Gary is a member of the Praise & Worship Team along with his wife, Becky.
He is currently employed by Henderson County Public Schools as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant where he states, “This is my retired fun job!”
His favorite Bible passage is Psalm 139.
columbusbaptistc@gmail.com Tel:828 894-8588
Deacon
Ronnie Loflin
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Ronnie grew up in Spartanburg, SC and is married to Nela. They have two grown children. Amanda lives in Pacolet, SC and Christopher lives in Charlotte, NC. They are blessed with three wonderful grandchildren.
Ronnie and Nela moved to Tryon in 1999. He is retired from Norfolk-Southern Railroad, where he worked for 32 years.
Ronnie's favorite verse is Isaiah 43:2.
"When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
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columbusbaptistc@gmail.com Tel:828 894-8588
Office Administrator
Tina Melton
Tina lives in Columbus with her husband, Tommy, and sweet doggie, Cooper. Tommy is a Polk County native and Tina was born in Asheville, NC. They previously lived in Asheville, Ft. Myers, FL and Winston Salem, NC. They moved back to Polk County in 1998 and Tina is convinced it is the best place on earth. And CBC is the best church on earth! She is so excited to see what God is doing here. His blessings are beyond measure. Psalm 91 is a favorite scripture.
columbusbaptistc@gmail.com | Tel: 828-894-8588
