Meet Our Staff
Dr. Bill Westafer - Pastor
Dr. Bill Westafer assumed the pastorate of the historic Cowpens First Baptist Church in July 2009. He relocated from Indiana where he was involved in the public sector while completing his doctorate in education at Ball State University. He successfully defended his dissertation, “Clergy Stress: The Efficacy of Coping Strategies.”
Pastor Bill loves the Upstate area in general and the community of Cowpens in particular. He has helped First Baptist cast the vision for “Loving God and loving people.” He demonstrated this with his involvement in the mentoring program at Broome High School and also served on the School Improvement Council at Cowpens Middle School. In 2012, Cowpens First Baptist fulfilled a forty-eight year dream with the completion of the Family Life Center.
Dr. Westafer holds an undergraduate degree in English and the Master of Arts in Theology. He taught at both the high school and undergraduate level. He is a prolific writer with more than 170 articles to his credit. He has also presented his research on clergy stress numerous times, most notably at the Midwest Scholars Conference in 2009.
Before arriving in Cowpens, Dr. Westafer served pastorates on both coasts and in Indiana. While serving for ten years as an assistant pastor, he was on the staff of Dr. John Maxwell at Skyline Church in San Diego, California. Bill’s first senior pastorate followed in San Dimas, California where the Lord graciously blessed the ministry. The church more than tripled in Sunday morning attendance.
In addition to his experience in business, education, and the ministry, Dr. Westafer also enjoys all kinds of sports. He has completed a mini-marathon, marathon, ultra-marathon, and a triathlon. He is the father of two grown children and is married to Patricia.
Email Address: drbill@firstbaptistcowpens.com
Rev. Clarence Correll - Pastor for Community Engagement
Clarence is an engaging type of guy; sincere, curious, and humorous who does marketing in that order. He un-retired himself to serve Cowpens First Baptist as Pastor of Community Engagement after serving Pastoral positions in various churches in SC and NC since 1974.
Clarence loves Jesus first and Jesus has helped him love his wife Elizabeth of 49 years. This love produced two daughters, four grandchildren and a few chickens and quail. He and Elizabeth, natives of NC, moved south and bought a home in Cowpens to be near their children and grandchildren.
His educational background includes a MA in Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a BA in Religion & History from Gardner Webb University.
Clarence believes discipleship is ongoing, we should never quit learning and growing in our walk with Christ. Clarence wants to hear about your hard knocks and share his and together learn Godly education in this journey called life.
Email Address: cajoy8@gmail.com
Melissa Wyatt - Director of Youth Ministries
Melissa Wyatt was born and raised in Gaffney, SC. She surrendered her life to Christ when she was 13 years old at a youth rally. She graduated from North Greenville University and is currently an online student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. God has given Melissa a deep passion to see teenagers come to know and follow Christ. In addition to working with the students at Cowpens FBC, she teaches and coaches at Cowpens Middle School. She loves going to work everyday and investing in the lives of students. Her and her husband Michael work together as a team to do their best to teach the students of Cowpens FBC to know Jesus, to love Jesus, and to seek the Kingdom.
Email Address: melupchurch28@gmail.com
