OUR PASTORS

Dr. Carl R. Wells

Dr. Carl R. Wells – a native of Mayesville, SC – attended the public school system of Lee County, South Carolina. He was graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in Elliott, South Carolina, and attended Winthrop University, Emory University, and the University of South Carolina. A 1987 graduate of Winthrop, he earned the Bachelor of Arts with a double major in music and communications. A 1991 graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, he earned the Master of Divinity with emphasis in Counseling. A 2010 graduate of the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Wells earned the Ph.D. in Public Health Administration. Portions of his dissertation, which focused on the impact of work-related and bound-related stress on the physical and emotional health status of the persons in the clerical professional, has been published in the Journal of Religion and Health and Pastoral Psychology.

He is currently employed by the University of South Carolina as the Assistant Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. In addition, Dr. Wells is an adjunct faculty in the USC School of Music and a faculty affiliation with the African American Studies Program.

His Personal Motto is “to whom much is given much is required”. His commitment to this motto is evidenced by the numerous community service projects in which he has participated. In Columbia, he has served as a trainer for the guardian ad litem program with that supports the court system and former volunteer choir director for the Condor Elementary School Gospel Chorus.

A gifted presenter and motivational speaker, Dr. Wells has served as Diversity Education Consultant or trainer for numerous agencies, to name a few:

Fuji Film (Greenwood, SC)
Michelin Tire (Greenville, SC)
Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (Columbia, SC)
Spartanburg Methodist College (Spartanburg, S. C.)
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Columbia College
Boise State University, Idaho

A man of many talents and abilities, his hobbies include composing orchestral arrangements, songwriter, singing, playing the piano, and creative writing. He is married to Wanda Watson Wells and they have two daughters, Karli Janay Wells and Caryn Nicole Wells. Wanda is the Assistant Principal at Rice Elementary School in Richland School District Number 2, and a graduate of our program.

Rev. Alex Nelson

Rev. Charles Gardner

Rev. Charles Gardner, a minister of the Gospel, was called to preach and was ordained December 26, 1981 by Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey upon the recommendation of a duty called Council of the Middlesex Central Baptist Associations. He served as a teacher, a Deacon and Superintendent of Church School.

Rev. Gardner is a widower, a father of six children, grandfather of thirteen and great grandfather of four. He united with Second Calvary Baptist Church in November 2000. Rev. Gardner is a faithful attender of Sunday school and supporter of the Pastor. His favorite scripture is Psalms 91; he is an avid daily reader of the Word of God.