Myrtle Grove Staff

Paul Waters, Sr

Paul Waters, Sr

Senior Pastor

Paul Waters was born in Laurens, SC, the fifth of seven children of pastor John and Mrs. Helen Waters. Paul accepted Christ at age six, surrendered to full time service in his teens, and received the call to preach at age 21. Paul graduated from Tennessee Temple University in 1977. While in his junior year, he met his wife to be. He married the former Mary Jane Cohee of Oxon Hill, MD in 1977 and began ministry with his dad at Faith Baptist Church in Laurens, SC that same year. Shannon, Paul, Jr,. and Anna were born during Paul and Mary Jane’s first six years in ministry.

In 1986, Paul and his family moved to Graham, NC to work on staff at Andrews Memorial Baptist. In 1994, Paul accepted the call to pastor Bible Baptist Church in New Milford, CT and served there until 1999 when Myrtle Grove Baptist extended a call to pastor here in Wilmington. God added Joshua to the Waters family while they served in Connecticut.

Paul and his family have served MGBC for the past 20 years. During their stay here God has given them 9 grandchildren, Baker, Reese, Titus, Eden, Maila, Lydia, Sammie, Eliyah, and Heidi.

Rustin Smith

Rustin Smith

Family Pastor

     Rustin grew up moving around his whole life as the son of a fighter pilot in the Air Force, only to land in Wilmington in the early 90’s. After several different job opportunities, the Lord brought him and his beautiful wife of almost 20 years into ministry. He and his wife are the proud parents of 2 amazing daughters who continue to be a blessing from God that they are thankful for everyday!

      Working with children, students, and young adults for over 14 years now, Rusty and his wife oversee all the ministries involving families, students, and young adults. Currently the overseer and pastor of a young adult ministry called Ekklesia, they have the opportunity to affect this generation and the next generation with the love of Christ. Rusty is finishing his master degree at Dallas Theological Seminary as he continues to preach and love people towards the truth of the Gospel. He has a passion for life, for families, and of course for Jesus!!

Mary Jane Waters

Mary Jane Waters

Music Director

Mary Jane Waters has been leading the MGBC music department since 2006. She was born with a love for music. Although she grew up in a Christian home it wasn’t until she accepted Christ as Savior at age 19 that her love for Him became a reality. She began learning to play the piano at age 5 and by age 12 she was ministering in church, putting musical groups together and accompanying her singing father. Furthering her education and honing her musical skills at Tennessee Temple University, she met and married her husband of 42 years, Paul Waters, the current pastor at MGBC. Mary Jane leads the MGBC choir, plays the piano and oversees the worship team where a blend of hymns and worship music can be heard weekly. As a piano teacher for over 40 years, she operates Shepherd’s Song Academy where she educates over 20 students weekly. The mother of 4 children and 9 grandchildren, Mary Jane finds deep joy in the beauty and privilege of motherhood, grandparenting and being a helpmeet to her husband Paul. Her life’s verse can be found in Exodus 15:2—”The Lord is my strength and my song and He has become my salvation. This is my God and I will praise Him, my father’s God and I will exalt Him.”

Glen Kinlaw

Glen Kinlaw

Connections Minister

Who is Glen Kinlaw? He is an only child but he is not spoiled, or at least that his story. He married way above his pay grade and he has been blessed with three wonderful children, each of whom is his favorite. If he has a gift, it is to take a complex idea and communicate it in very simple and easy to understand terms. God has used this gift to afforded him much success in leadership, sales, and public speaking.  He hopes in life to be able to move the needle in the lives of those he has the good fortune to come in contact with and to encourage, challenge and motivate others to be all that God intended them to be.

Arlene Suggs

Arlene Suggs

Children's Director

Arlene and her family have been attending MGBC for more than 15 years.  Arlene worked in NC for 30 years as a Special Education Teacher and Elementary School Assistant Principal. After her retirement a few years ago, Arlene joined the staff at MGBC as the Children’s Director.  In this endeavor she joined her love of children with her love of the Lord. She and her husband Cecil and their five children have lived in the Myrtle Grove area for more than 27 years. She feels blessed and grateful to be serving here at MGBC.

 

Lorrie Nelson

Lorrie Nelson

Administrative Assistant

Lorrie Nelson has been married to her wonderful husband, Fletcher, for 29 years. They have two amazing daughters, Sarah and Allison, along with an awesome son-in-law, James and an adorable grandson, Isaac. Some of her favorite pastimes are spending time with her family, especially her sweet grandson and enjoying the beach! Lorrie considers it a privilege and a blessing to serve as the administrative assistant to Myrtle Grove Baptist. Her duties are many, but one of the most important aspects of her job is being the face of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church to all who come to the church office or call in. Lorrie has been a church member at Myrtle Grove for eleven years. She strives to serve the congregation and her community with love and in a way that brings God glory.

Please contact her at myrtlegrovebaptist@gmail.com if you have any questions about Myrtle Grove or who on staff can best serve you. It will be her pleasure to assist you.

 

Laura Creen

Laura Creen

Treasurer

Laura Creen and her family moved to Wilmington from Chicago in 2011. She has a background in accounting/bookkeeping and has worked at CPA firms, property management companies and at ILM airport. Laura joined the staff at MGBC in November 2018 as the Treasurer and is grateful to be a part of the community. In her spare time, she loves to garden, cook, sew and take advantage of the beautiful weather, ocean and southern charm that Wilmington has to offer.