Robert Winburn has served as pastor of Spring Valley since 1989. After graduating from Wofford College in 1974, he went on to complete his Master of Divinity degree in 1977 and his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1986 from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His passion in ministry is preaching and teaching, which fuel his desire to lead people to know Jesus Christ and to grow in their faith—following his desire to see people’s lives changed in these Changing Times.
Robert has served on various leadership positions at both the state and associational levels. As a trustee of Anderson University, he chaired the search committee for the current president. Besides spending time with his family, he enjoys hunting, golf, and reading.
Robert and his wife Cookie have been married since 1975. Cookie is an educator in Richland School District Two and was the 2005 SC Teacher of the Year. They have four children and 3 grandchildren. Lara Beth is married to Jay Hardwick, a church planter in Columbia. They are the parents to Molly and Ellie. Andrew graduated from Southeastern Seminary with a Master of Divinity and is currently pursuing an Ed.D, while serving as a pastor in Columbia. Emily Ann is married to Philip Turner, a middle school pastor in Columbia. They are the parents to Manning. Sara Lynn is a Theatre major at Anderson University.
“I look forward to seeing you in worship with us at Spring Valley, a fellowship of believers seeking to Change Lives in Changing Times."
For 15 years, Rick has served Spring Valley Baptist Church as Minister of Music and Worship.With over 500 involved in the church’s 15 music and creative arts groups, Rick’s passion is to activate the musical and creative arts giftedness within every individual. If you visit our church, one of the first phone calls you’ll get is from Rick, finding out if you have an interest or talent in music!
Rick is a graduate of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (D. Min.), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.), Louisiana Baptist University (M.A.), and the University of South Carolina (B.A.). Rick’s ministry began in 1976 directing youth choir and leading in Sunday night worship.Since that time, Rick has directed music in church ministry in South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas.
When not at church, Rick is spending time with his family.His wife Christi, who is a professional educator in the Richland II School District, sings in the Praise Choir and directs the Praise Singers, our children’s choir. Their son Alex is music major at the University of South Carolina and plays guitar and drums. Their daughter Emily plays guitar in the Praise Orchestra and leads the student ministry Outbreak Band.Completing the family is their devoted cocker spaniel, Jingle Bells.Sounds like a musical family all around!
Phil Brannan joined Spring Valley Baptist Church February, 2007. He is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic College, West Palm Beach, FL, and a graduate of The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX where he studied Religious Education. Phil's passion in ministry is leading people to Christ and equipping them to be fruitful disciples.
Phil began his ministry as Minister to Youth in Hollywood, FL, served as Minister to Single Adults in Pompano Beach, FL and Atlanta, GA, and most recently in Minister to Adults at First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC. Phil also served as Events Coordinator for Single Adult Ministries at LifeWay Resources and as a capital funds consultant at Resource Services, Inc, in Dallas, TX.
Phil and his wife, Cheryl, have been married since 1977. Cheryl is an Administrative Assistant to the Provost at Columbia International University. They have three children, Rachel is a master's degree in teaching at Columbia International University, Rob will graduate from Newberry College in May and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and Ryan is a sophomore at Columbia International University where he is studying Youth Ministries.
Phil enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, snow skiing and relaxing on Lake Murray.
John is a graduate of Furman University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Drew University. He has served as a Pastor, Associate Pastor and Director of Missions, and over the past 25 years has worked with worldwide partnerships in the area of missions. John retired as a Director of Missions for the Columbia Metro Baptist Association in December of 2003 and he has served two Interim Pastorates since retiring from full-time vocational ministry. John and his wife Barbara have two grown sons, J. Todd and Bryan.
John enjoys his family, his faith and calling, gardening, music, golf and missionary partnerships around the world. He has a deep love for God and people.
Jeff Pruitt joins staff as the Minister of Students. He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M. Div.) in the School of Theology in 2006 and from Erskine College with a degree in Biblical Studies in 2003. Jeff served as a youth intern at North Trenhom Baptist Church and has also been on staff with Summersalt, a summer youth camp, and World Changers, a summer missions organization for youth ministries. He also grew up in Northeast Columbia, attending Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary, E.L. Wright Middle, and Richland Northest High School. Jeff is passionate about seeing youth grow in their relationships with Christ and maturing in their faith. He also desires to see teenagers in Northeast Columbia and beyond come to know Jesus Christ. Jeff loves to play sports and also enjoys music. Jeff also is the assistant varsity baseball coach for Ben Lippen School.
Jeff is married to Lauren, who is a graduate of Columbia College and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Carolina. Lauren will begin a career in speech pathology in Richland District Two in August 2008.
Jeff met Lauren when they served on staff with World Changers, and were married August 12, 2006. Together they have two "girls", Mattie and Smoochie, who are quickly growing from puppies to mature little teenagers.
Jeff also enjoys making stupid pictures on his computer while he should be working.
Allyson graduated from Spring Valley High School and in 1987 from Columbia College with a degree in Physical Education. After teaching school for a year, she accepted God's call to ministry and moved to Ft. Worth, Texas to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where she graduated in 1991 with a Masters in Religious Education. Her greatest fulfillment in life comes from ministry with children and taking mission trips whenever given the opportunity. She loves spoiling her nieces and nephews as often as she can! Her favorite things are Clemson sports (Go Tigers!), hunting (deer and turkey), and the beach (any season). Allyson is single and lives with her Golden Retrevier, Big Dog.
Jeff also enjoys making stupid pictures on his computer while he should be working.
