Dr. Freddie M. Young was born in Timmonsville, SC, on July 5, 1943. He married Ellen Lowrimore on November 25, 1965, and they have three children: Lee-Ann Young, King Young and Christian Young.

He was ordained at the First Baptist Church in Goose Creek, SC and has pastored three churches besides Grand Strand Baptist Church. In 1975, he founded Grand Strand Baptist Church and pastored it until 1979, at which time he was called to a pastorate in Hendersonville, NC. He returned in 1986 and has enjoyed a fruitful ministry once again here in Myrtle Beach, SC.

He received a doctorate in theology in 1982. He has also served on the board of Frontier Baptist Missions since 1985 and recently began serving as President of Citizens for Traditional Family Values of Greater Horry County.

Worship Pastor
Rev. Douglas Smith

Rev. Douglas K. Smith was born in Parkersburg, WV, on July 30, 1966. He married Julie Graham on May 27, 1991 and they have three children: Nicholas, Daniel and Elizabeth.

Doug is a graduate of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Church Music. He managed the "Regents Quartet" from 1987-91 and served as Interim Music Director for Langston Baptist Church in Conway, SC,1992-93. He joined our staff in 1993 and was commissioned by our church as a full-time Christian worker. He was ordained April 22, 2003 at Maranatha Baptist Church in Princeton, WV.

Youth & Children's Pastor
Rev. John Blanton

Rev. John W. Blanton, was born in 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri. He presently resides in Conway, SC, but lived in Loris, SC, most of his life. He is our newest staff member, he joined the staff in August 2008, as our Full-time Student Pastor to the Children and Youth ministries.

John is married to Donna, they have two children: Bridgette and Wesley. John has an Associate of Divinity Degree from Southeastern College at Wake Forest, and he was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 2006 at Langston Baptist Church.

Mrs. Karen Hucks was born in Conway, SC on December 2, 1958. She married Tommy Hucks on September 21, 1980 and they have one son; Michael.

After attending our church as a result of the bus ministry in April of 1976, Karen accepted Christ as her Savior in May of that year. She attended the Grand Strand Christian Academy and was part of its first graduating class in 1977.

While attending Conway High School through part of her junior year, she was active in the Future Business Leaders of America, winning one of their state competitions.

She has worked full time as our church secretary since July, 1980. She has recently received a certificate from the South Carolina House of Representatives commending her service to the Myrtle Beach area.

Publications Secretary
Lois Clardy

Mrs. Lois Clardy was born February 20, 1969, in Greenville, SC. She moved to the Grand Strand area in the summer of 1992. She later came to Grand Strand Baptist Church in November 2003, and united with our church family one month later. She married Steve Clardy on March 18, 2005. She is involved in several ministries within our church, as well as teaching the Ladies I Sunday School Class. She joined the office staff here in April 2007. 

Data Secretary and Assistant
Annice West

Mrs. Annice West was born on October 6, 1947, in Conway, S.C. She married Tommy West on February 8, 1975, and has two children: Jennifer Russ and Thomas Edward West.
She has worked at Coastal Federal and Waccamaw Pottery before coming to help us with data entry. She is a blessing to our office and is so willing to help in any area needed.