STAFF & LEADERSHIP

We have a passion for people, our community and our world. Our culture and leadership is characterized by worship, the love of God, and a genuine call to ministry. These core values have been shaped by our rich history of great co-workers and energy; always pressing forward in our call to love God and love others.

  • ReV. Sam Craven

    Pastor

    It is a privilege and honor given by my Lord and Savior to serve Him as the Pastor

    of this congregation. I have started my 28th year as of June 1, 2023.

    I am married to Teresa Palmer Craven. We have been blessed with two sons Josh and Jonathan and three grandchildren, Madelyn, Jack, and Parker.

  • Tommy Welch

    Music Director

         Tommy has served as the Director of Music at Union Grove Baptist Church since September 2009. He is married to April Miller Welch and they have a son, Thomas Welch. Tommy has served as Director of Music for North Catawba Baptist Church and Union Baptist Church. Union Grove Baptist is very fortunate to have Tommy on staff. He is very musically talented, as well as his family, April and Thomas. It is evident he loves to serve God in this capacity; always striving in every song selection, musical presented, or special music planned that God is honored and glorified.

  • Rev. Jeff Lambert

    Director of Ministry

         It is a privilege and honor to serve the Lord Jesus Christ as a Minister of the Gospel. I accepted my call to the ministry in 2004. 

         I have had the great privilege of serving as the Director of Ministry at Union Grove Baptist Church since June 2014. 

         I am married to a wonderful woman by the name of Kim Lambert. Kim has been a Pediatric Nurse for over 30 years. We are the proud parents of 3 children - Peter, Aaron, and Sarah. Peter is married to our daughter-in-law Michelle, and they have one son, Hudson, and are expecting a daughter in September 2023. 

         Serving this wonderful church family, alongside of the great staff I have the pleasure of working with, is a tremendous blessing!

  • Lynn Smith

    secretary

    Hi everyone!

         I am so blessed to serve my Lord and Savior as secretary of Union Grove Baptist Church. Serving as a church secretary since 1989, I know this is the ministry that God has called me. I strive to be a servant of God, to present an atmosphere of warmth, friendliness, and love to visitors and callers; always representing Union Grove Baptist Church in a positive manner to promote God’s love and Kingdom. I have served at Union Grove Baptist since March, 1996.

         My husband, Ken and I have two adult sons, Sean and Ryan. Sean and our two wonderful grandsons, Dylan and Carson reside in Hudson, NC. Ryan and Erica Palmer Smith gave us our wonderful granddaughter, Alice on October 17, 2017, and they reside in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

         As a family, we enjoy fishing, hiking, riding bikes, playing baseball, swimming, going to the lake and the beach, and supporting Dylan, Carson, and Alice in whatever their adventures are.

         God has abundantly blessed me! I give Him praise for how He works in and through my life and the life of my family.

  • Rev. Zack Bryant

    Director of Family Ministry

                    I knew at the age of 18 that the Lord had called me into the ministry.  I never knew how, where, when, or at what capacity he would use me.  A little more than twenty years after my calling, Union Grove Baptist Church called me to be their Director of Family Ministry and Outreach.  On June 1 of 2021, I started a new journey with my Lord.  How humbling and how great it is to serve Him.  

     

                    I love my Lord and I also love my family.  My wife Kristin and I were married June 11, 2011. We met serving the Lord in the mission field in Mexico.  She is a teacher at Granite Falls Elementary School.   We have two beautiful young children, Karis and Ezra that are energetic and always keeps us on our toes. 

     

                    I am thankful for the process and the continual growth in my Life.  The Lord wants to use us, but we must first make ourselves available. 

  • Chad & April Biddix

    DIRECTORs OF Youth

    I have been a member of Union Grove Baptist church for approximately 41 years. My parents and I joined the church when I was 7 years old. I received Christ as my personal Savior that same year. April and I were married in 2014 and shortly after she joined the church as well. April received Christ as her personal Savior at a young age while attending Rock Chapel Church of God. April and I reside in Cajah's Mtn and are both Real Estate Brokers with The Biddix Team @ eXp Realty as well as Licensed Life Insurance Brokers. We have 5 wonderful children between us and truly enjoy our time with our family! Working with the Youth is truly a blessing to April and I. We thank God for the opportunity to minister to them and watch them grow in Christ! 

  • Larry Puett

    Director of Food Ministry and Community Outreach

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