Staff

Kevin Hess
Senior Pastor

Kevin is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Elloree. Kevin came to us from just outside St. Louis, where he served as Associate Pastor of Family Ministries. Kevin has been serving in the ministry since 2015. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree from Mt. St. Joseph University. He holds a Masters of Christian Ministry degree and a Masters of Divinity: Discipleship from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Kevin loves to spend time with his wife of 14 years, Heather, and his children Aiden, Aubrey, and Abigail. Kevin is a fan of all things sports, especially the Cincinnati Reds, and Cincinnati Bengals. If possible, Kevin loves to hunt and fish.

Kipp Martin
Music Director

Kipp Martin, originally from Eutawville, resides in Lexington with his wife, Ashley, daughter, Ellie Grace, and son, Rhett.  He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Teaching from Converse College.  He is the former organist/pianist, Worship Leader/Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Eutawville and the former Dentsville Baptist in Columbia.  When not leading worship or teaching, Kipp enjoys working in his yard and taking many trips to Walt Disney World.

Marla Fanning
Children’s Ministry Director

Marla has served as Children’s Director for over 20 years. She is energetic, adventurous, and is an early childhood educator. She is married to Mike and has a son, Michael and a daughter, Morgan.

Rev. Mike Fanning
Youth Ministry Director

Mike has served as Youth Pastor for over 30 years. Mike is active in the community, serving as mayor of Elloree. Mike serves as Athletic Director for the South Carolina Independent School Association. He was ordained in 2018. He is married to Marla and has a son, Michael and a daughter, Morgan.

Cindy Ott
Administrative Assistant

Cindy has been a member at First Baptist Church of Elloree for 19 years.  She graduated with a BA degree from the University of South Carolina and an Associate’s Degree from Orangeburg Technical College.  She retired from the University of  South Carolina School of Medicine after serving as Associate Administrative Director for over 30 years and from the Orangeburg Eye Center after 15 years.  She has one son, Jeffery South, who lives with his wife, Maia, in Sydney, Australia.   She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, Braxton and Brenner Ott, who live in Vance SC.