Staff at First Baptist Church of Sylva
Rev. Jeff Mathis
Pastor, jeffpmathis@gmail.com
Jeff Mathis became the Pastor at First Baptist Church in April of 2012. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Jeff has Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Religious Studies and Communication. Jeff attended Princeton Theological Seminary and received a Master of Divinity in 2001. Having grown up as a Baptist in the south, Jeff was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the First Baptist Church of Asheville, North Carolina in 1999.
Prior to coming to First Baptist Church of Sylva, Jeff served as an Associate Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, TN.
Jeff has served in a variety of ministerial capacities, including work with children, youth, college students, young adults and in hospital chaplaincy. Jeff has served churches in Raleigh, North Carolina; New York, New York; Tucson, Arizona; Boone, North Carolina and North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Jeff is married to Rebecca, who loves educating, serving and singing. The Mathises are the parents of two children, Zeb and Ellen. Jeff and Rebecca enjoy traveling, tromping through the woods, watching Atlanta Braves baseball and enjoying hot cups of coffee.
Jeff Mathis became the Pastor at First Baptist Church in April of 2012. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Jeff has Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Religious Studies and Communication. Jeff attended Princeton Theological Seminary and received a Master of Divinity in 2001. Having grown up as a Baptist in the south, Jeff was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the First Baptist Church of Asheville, North Carolina in 1999.
Prior to coming to First Baptist Church of Sylva, Jeff served as an Associate Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, TN.
Jeff has served in a variety of ministerial capacities, including work with children, youth, college students, young adults and in hospital chaplaincy. Jeff has served churches in Raleigh, North Carolina; New York, New York; Tucson, Arizona; Boone, North Carolina and North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Jeff is married to Rebecca, who loves educating, serving and singing. The Mathises are the parents of two children, Zeb and Ellen. Jeff and Rebecca enjoy traveling, tromping through the woods, watching Atlanta Braves baseball and enjoying hot cups of coffee.
Dr. Bob Holquist
Music Minister, holquistbstn@aol.com
Robert Holquist (Bob) has served as Minister of Music part-time since September, 1983. Since 1965, he has led adult choirs in churches in Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Carolina. His academic preparation includes Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in voice and choral music education from Universities at Stevens Point and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Iowa.Dr. Holquist joined the Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, NC) music faculty in August, 1979, where he continues to serve as Director of Choral Activities. A bass-baritone soloist, he often performs in the region, and offers solos at church. Bob and Barbara, his wife are the proud parents of Ryan and Amber and grandparents of Autumn Joy, born September 23, 2008. In addition to musical endeavors, Bob enjoys golf, hunting and fishing.
Robert Holquist (Bob) has served as Minister of Music part-time since September, 1983. Since 1965, he has led adult choirs in churches in Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Carolina. His academic preparation includes Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in voice and choral music education from Universities at Stevens Point and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Iowa.Dr. Holquist joined the Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, NC) music faculty in August, 1979, where he continues to serve as Director of Choral Activities. A bass-baritone soloist, he often performs in the region, and offers solos at church. Bob and Barbara, his wife are the proud parents of Ryan and Amber and grandparents of Autumn Joy, born September 23, 2008. In addition to musical endeavors, Bob enjoys golf, hunting and fishing.
Mrs. Kathy Whiteside
Administrative Assistant, kathymwhiteside@gmail.com
I was born and raised in Swain County. I graduated in 1977 from the Swain County High School. I married T.L. Whiteside in 1979. We have lived in Charlotte, Candler and for 26 years in York, SC. In the last three years my husband has worked in Las Vegas, Richmond and Brampton, Canada. He now works at the Southwestern Community College as a database administrator. We live with my parents in Whittier. We have two daughters, Rebecca and Jenny Whiteside. Rebecca is a nanny in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Jenny is an agent for Probation, Pardon and Parole for the State of South Carolina. They both still live in York. Before coming to work for the First Baptist Church I was the Office Manager/Ministry Assistant at the York Baptist Association for 19 years. I have a black and white Chihuahua named Toby. We are so excited about being back in the mountains. God has truly answered our prayers.
I was born and raised in Swain County. I graduated in 1977 from the Swain County High School. I married T.L. Whiteside in 1979. We have lived in Charlotte, Candler and for 26 years in York, SC. In the last three years my husband has worked in Las Vegas, Richmond and Brampton, Canada. He now works at the Southwestern Community College as a database administrator. We live with my parents in Whittier. We have two daughters, Rebecca and Jenny Whiteside. Rebecca is a nanny in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Jenny is an agent for Probation, Pardon and Parole for the State of South Carolina. They both still live in York. Before coming to work for the First Baptist Church I was the Office Manager/Ministry Assistant at the York Baptist Association for 19 years. I have a black and white Chihuahua named Toby. We are so excited about being back in the mountains. God has truly answered our prayers.
Mrs. Elizabeth Nations (Libby)
Custodian
Since April, 1995 Libby has always been available to assist where needed here at FBC. She is always eager to help in the office and she is very creative. She has a mind like a "steel trap"! Without a doubt she is most appreciated for all she does to help! She recently shared her heart with us and that, “There is no place like the mountains!”
Since April, 1995 Libby has always been available to assist where needed here at FBC. She is always eager to help in the office and she is very creative. She has a mind like a "steel trap"! Without a doubt she is most appreciated for all she does to help! She recently shared her heart with us and that, “There is no place like the mountains!”
Mrs. Lorie Meservey
Organist
At the age of 7 Lorie began mastering the piano. She began playing for church at the age of 10. Lorie has a Bachelor Degree of Music from Barry University located in Miami, Florida. She also has a Master of Church Music/Organ from the University of Michigan. Lorie professes that it is God, however, who gave her this gift of music that she joyfully returns to Him each week.Lorie’s favorite scripture is “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and the harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him with the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 150
At the age of 7 Lorie began mastering the piano. She began playing for church at the age of 10. Lorie has a Bachelor Degree of Music from Barry University located in Miami, Florida. She also has a Master of Church Music/Organ from the University of Michigan. Lorie professes that it is God, however, who gave her this gift of music that she joyfully returns to Him each week.Lorie’s favorite scripture is “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and the harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him with the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 150
