Dr. Charles Westbrook

Senior Pastor

Dr. Westbrook has served in missions and ministry for 38 years, 24 of them in Asia with the International Mission Board.   He has served churches in Louisiana and South Carolina, and a graduate of Charleston Southern University (B.A.), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Columbia International University (D.Min).  Dr. Westbrook has also published seven books.  He has served as a pastor, missionary, administrator, leadership trainer, and is currently serving as the senior pastor of Saluda River Baptist Church since 2007.

Phil Blackwell

Education / Family Life Center Director

Rev. Blackwell has served as our Education Minister since 2012. He holds a B.S. degree from North Greenville University with a psychology major and music minor.  He holds a Master of Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Psychology degree from Carson Newman College, and has more than 35 years of ministry experience in education, music, youth, and camps.

Michael Cates

Minister of Music

Michael earned his bachelors degree from Bluefield College a Virginia Baptist College where he studied music and psychology.  He went on to earn his Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Michael completed several years of postgraduate training in pastoral care and counseling.  He was ordained by Plymouth Haven Baptist Church in 1987. He grew up in a military family and was able to continue the tradition of military service as a Chaplain in the United States Army.  He has served churches in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Michael is married to Ginger Abbott of Irmo, and have two children.

Jonathan Teeter

Sports / Recreation Director

Jonathan Teeter began serving in this part-time position in the spring of 2016.  Jonathan serves as a Transportation Inspector with the SC Office of Regulatory Staff.  He attended Clemson University and Lander University. 

Michael Keech

Minister of Children & Youth

Mike Keech lives in West Columbia with his wife and 2 daughters who they home school. Mike grew up in Wagener, SC. He received an associate degree in criminal justice from Midlands Tech. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Studies from Tennessee Temple University. He was a senior pastor in south Alabama and in Gilbert, SC before taking a year off from the ministry and becoming a youth pastor here at Saluda River Baptist Church. He has such a great way of relating with the youth and he loves to go do things with them and teach the Bible to them.