Our Deacons

Kendall Dunn (Chair), Rayvon Best,  Amy Whittington, Marie Fox,
Natalie Farris, Anita Tart, Connie Barnes, Elaine Massengill, Sandra Jones

Our Pastoral Staff

Rev. Dr. Lawrence B. Powers

Senior Pastor
Lawrence has lived in the Johnston County area since high school and is a graduate of Smithfield Selma High.

Prior to coming to BBC, he served as a Campus Minister with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina at ECU, NC State, UNC-CH, Meredith College, Peace University, and as Baptist Chaplain at Duke University. He also served in various churches as both a Minister to College Students and Minister to Youth.

He loves the beach, mountains, and cheering on the Camels. He is married to Heather and together they have three kids, and three dogs.
Education
  • Doctor of Ministry, Campbell University Divinity School, 2020
  • Master of Divinity, Campbell University Divinity School, 2013
  • Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy, Campbell University, 2009

Ordination:
Ordination to the ministry by Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship congregation.

Rev. Will Raybon

Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families
Will spent most of his life in the mountains of Western North Carolina, but is excited to now be living in the Johnston County area!

Before beginning his tenure at BBC, he served for three years as the Associate Youth Minister at First Baptist Greenville, SC.

He loves the outdoors, hiking, and traveling. He is married to Celine, a second grade teacher at South Smithfield Elementary School, and they have a goofy hound dog named Indy.
Education
  • Master of Divinity, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, 2020
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 2015

Ordination:
Ordination to the ministry by First Baptist Church, Asheville, a dually aligned Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Alliance of Baptists congregation.

Minister David Woolsey

Minister of Traditional Music and Organist
A native of Rocky Mount, David began playing the organ in churches during his junior high school years.  After pursuing other interests for several years, he has returned to church music with a renewed sense of call.  

David comes to Benson Baptist Church with experience in music and pastoral ministry in North Carolina and South Carolina.

David lives in Raleigh with his wife Amy, and son David.
Education
  • Bachelor of Science, Indiana Wesleyan University, Currently Pursuing
  • Associate in Arts, Wake Technical Community College, 2006

Licensure:
Licensed to the ministry by the French Protestant (Huguenot) Church of Charleston, South Carolina.

Rachel West

Contemporary Worship Leader
Before coming to Benson, Rachel has worked in various churches all in youth ministry roles. She is a 2020 graduate of Campbell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies and is working towards her Master of Divinity there as well. Rachel also currently works as a Graduate Assistant with the College of Arts and Sciences department at Campbell.

Rachel loves all things music and songwriting, as well as preaching in her spare time. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Rachel lives in Newton Grove with her family and fur baby, Bella.
Education
  • Master of Divinity, Campbell University Divinity School, Currently Pursuing
  • Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, Campbell University, 2020

Our Support Staff

Debbie Champagne

Administrative Assistant
Debbie is a military veteran, mother, and grandmother, She has embodied the word “service” all of her life.  She has demonstrated that embodiment at Benson Baptist for over two decades by attending to the needs of anyone who might call or stop by our church office.

Her selflessness is rooted in her own faith in the God who selflessly loves us, and every person who graces the door of Benson Baptist is blessed because of it.

Jacob Jones

Facilities Manager
Jacob joins our staff after a career as an engineer in the military and higher education settings.

Jacob is not only a jack-of-all-trades in facilities management, he also is a musician!

He is married to Rachel and has multiple children.