Born in Hansford, West Virginia, Pastor Jeff Davenport learned as a child that he needed a Savior. At the age of thirteen, he gave his life to Jesus Christ. After graduating high school, Jeff attended West Virginia University Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Labor Relations.
For several years he chased after his dream of playing professional baseball. Even though his accomplishments on the field as a first baseman were celebrated nationally, he knew that his focus had become distorted and his gaze had left his Lord. However, God lovingly drew him back to His side, and as an added bonus, introduced him to Beth, his future bride.
Jeff’s dreams of playing professional baseball began to fade since he was not selected by any major league teams after college. Convinced that God must have another plan, he surrendered his baseball and his life to Him. The very next day, in the dead of winter, the Kansas City Royals called and offered him a contract. It was as if God was saying, “I didn’t want your baseball, I just wanted you.” After a brief career in professional baseball, God again brought change into his life. Upon leaving his baseball career, he married Beth and they moved to South Carolina, where they began their lives together.
After serving on the faculty at Northside Christian School in Charleston, they moved to Aiken, South Carolina, where Jeff was employed with Clemson University. During those years they were blessed to be lay workers under Pastor Fred Mann and his wife, Joy, at Breezy Hill Baptist Church. It was also during this time that God began to work in their hearts about another full-time ministry position. Jeff pursued and received his Masters of Biblical Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary and Beth received her Masters of Arts in Teaching.
Believing it was God’s will, the Davenports moved to Mebane, North Carolina, where Jeff served as an assistant pastor. It was from Mebane that God called Jeff to a Senior Pastor position in Kitts Hill, Ohio, where they served for 13 years.
Jeff began his ministry as Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church on March 15, 2009. He is Calvary’s 10th Senior Pastor since our beginning in 1920.
The Davenports have three children. Their daughter, Lauren, is married to Kyle Gilmore. The Gilmores have one daughter, Laelle Grace, who was born on March 31, 2009. The Davenports' sons, Nathan and Mitchell, are both attending Cedarville University.
Contact Pastor Davenport.
Born in southern West Virginia, Pastor David Graham moved to Winston-Salem, NC, when his dad entered Piedmont Bible College to study for the ministry. Led to Christ by his dad, Pastor Graham grew up in a pastor’s home. Pastor Graham would say that next to asking Jesus Christ to become his Lord and Savior, the most important decision he made, which also affected his spiritual growth, was to marry his godly high school sweetheart, Carol, when they were 19 years old.
The next most important decision Pastor Graham made was in August of 1961 when he brought his 19-year-old bride to Northern Kentucky where he was employed at the Greater Cincinnati Airport. The church they chose to join, Calvary Baptist, has made all of the difference in their lives. Dr. D.B. Eastep and Dr. Warren Wiersbe made a major impact in their young lives, and in 1963, as 21 year olds, they moved to Chattanooga, TN, where Pastor Graham earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Tennessee Temple.
Upon graduation from Tennessee Temple in 1967, through 1976, Pastor Graham served as Bible Teacher, Principal, and Soccer Coach in Christian Schools in Cleveland, Ohio, and Graham, NC. Pastor Graham and Carol were very honored to accept the call to serve as Youth Pastor at Calvary Baptist in 1976 under Pastor Galen Call’s ministry. Ordained at Calvary Baptist in 1980, it was here that this congregation prayed with them and encouraged them as they determined it was God’s will for them to accept the senior pastorate in Cedar Falls, IA, in 1981. After serving in Iowa for 5 years, Pastor Graham then served as a Senior Pastor in Elkhart, IN for 6 ½ years. The Grahams then moved to Cedarville, Ohio, where Pastor Graham also served as Senior Pastor for 10 ½ years.
One of the major interests in Pastor Graham’s ministry as Senior Pastor has been World Missions. He and Carol have made mission trips to Japan, Norway, England, Zambia, South Africa, France, Germany, and Russia to encourage and refresh missionaries. After 22 years in the Senior Pastorate, the Grahams are overwhelmed with thanksgiving that God would have them back here at this church on staff again where Pastor Graham serves as the Executive Pastor.
Pastor Graham currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Cedarville University and on the Governing Board of Baptist Mid-Missions. He met Pastor DeGraaff through his involvement in the GARBC, where Pastor Graham has served on the Council of Eighteen, as well as on the State Councils in Iowa and Indiana. He has taken graduate courses at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, Bob Jones University, and Moody Bible Institute.
Pastor Graham and Carol have two daughters: Robyn and Allyson, married to men who are actively serving the Lord. They are also proud grandparents with 5 grandchildren.
Jay joined the Calvary’ leadership team in August of 2009 as the Pastor of Worship Ministries. His role includes planning and preparing congregational praise, rehearsing and leading our worship team, and overseeing our media ministry.
Jay holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in composition from the Northern Kentucky University, and the University of South Florida respectively and spent 9 years as a music educator on the primary, secondary, and collegiate levels before heeding a call into full-time worship ministry. He’s served churches in Florida, and North Carolina, and now finds himself “back home” at Calvary where he and his wife, Cathi, both grew up under the pastorate of his father, Dr. Randall Faulkner. Jay and Cathi have four children—James, Madision, Sydney, and Austin.
Bill Dickens serves on the pastoral staff of Calvary Baptist Church as the Administrator of Calvary Christian School after several years as the Pastor of Adult Ministries. Bill served for 6 years as a youth pastor and 8 years as a senior pastor. He served as a teacher and the high school principal at Calvary Christian School for 10 years. He is also an Air Force Reserve Chaplain, serving as the Wing Chaplain for the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He has deployed to Europe and the Middle East 5 times.
Bill received his Bachelor’s degree in 1985 from Georgetown College. He received his Master’s of Divinity in 1993, a Master’s of Theology in 1995 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Church History in 1998, all from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Bill was saved in 1976 and committed his life to full-time Christian service in 1978. Bill and Melody, the Calvary Christian School Guidance Counselor, were married in 1986. Their son Joseph was born in 1990. Bill enjoys reading, dating his wife, working on and driving his Ford Mustang and watching his son bowl and play music.
Bill's life verses are 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22, “And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully and hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
Brian joined the Calvary Leadership Team in August of 2010 as the Pastor of Student Ministries. His role includes overseeing both the high school and middle school ministries at Calvary Baptist Church.
Brian was not raised in a Christian home. However, at the age of 20, he turned away from a self-centered life to focus on a life dedicated to serving God. Shortly after becoming a Christ-follower, Brian married Janelle. They have three adorable and very lively children, Brianna, Tori, and Brian Jr.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Youth Ministries from Liberty University and is currently working on a Masters of Divinity from the Liberty University Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Calvary, Brian served as Youth Minister at West Chester Baptist Church in Ohio and as the Assistant Youth Pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church.
Brian’s life verse is 1 Timothy 1:15,16 which states “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”
Pearl has served as the Director of Women’s Ministries at CBC since 1991. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tennessee Temple University and a Master of Ministry degree from Temple Baptist Seminary. She loves teaching God’s Word and encouraging women to find true joy and freedom in Christ.
She is crazy about her husband David, her 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 4 precious grandchildren.
André Rusch began serving as Calvary’s Pastor of Leadership Development and Teaching in July of 2011. Before joining Calvary’s Leadership Team, André served three years as the Singles Pastor at a church here in the tri-state area. Prior to that, he was on Calvary’s staff as our College and Singles Pastor and also served as a Youth Pastor and Bible College Instructor on the island of Guam.
André holds an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Pensacola Christian College and an MA in Education/Counseling from Bob Jones University.
André’s partner in ministry is his wife, Charlotte. Charlotte is a graduate of Calvary Christian School and has both undergraduate and post graduate degrees in Nursing. André and Charlotte have three children, McKenzie, Camden, and Mason.
Matt Shelton has served as the Director of Business and Finance since August of 2004. His responsibilities include oversight of all business office functions, supervision of all housekeeping, maintenance, and support staff personnel and all church owned properties. Prior to his time with Calvary, Matt spent 12 years in various leadership positions in the business community. Matt received an Associates Degree from Black Hawk College and a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Kansas. He is also pursuing his Masters Degree with a Church Leadership Emphasis from Southern Baptist Seminary.
In addition to his business and finance responsibilities, Matt and his wife Terri oversee our Children's Ministry from birth to 6th grade. Matt and Terri have two children: Brianna and Myrle.
