Bio: Cress Darwin is a Texas boy, born and raised in Fort Worth where he attended Texas Christian University. He received a BFA in theatre with a secondary focus on broadcast media. These interests led him to New York City where he was actually able to make a living as a “New York actor,” off- Broadway producer and television writer/ producer specializing in biographical documentaries for the A&E series, Biography. He is married to the former Rebecca Wesson from Columbia, SC. whom he met in New York on a Super Bowl Sunday. Rebecca is a magazine publisher and executive. She and Cress have two young daughters, Lily and Sarah who attend the finest preschool in Charleston – Second Presbyterian Kindergarten. Cress received his M.Div. from Princeton Seminary, taught in the Speech and Communications Department and earned a Masters of Theology in ethics.

Quote that represents you: “The will of God will not take you where the grace of God will not sustain you.”

Life-changing book you'd recommend: Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamont

Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: Happy Feeet

Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Sara Groves

Why you work at Second Church: Second Church is uniquely positioned to witness to the dynamic God we proclaim and who claims us. The congregation is intergenerational and a wonderful mix of families that have worshipped here for generations and new comers to the area as well as to faith. When I was at Princeton I had prayed to serve a downtown congregation that had a sense of tradition, an appreciation for the arts and a level of sophistication while displaying a heart for mission, but most of all, that looked to Jesus, that hungered for Jesus, that unashamedly loved Jesus Christ. As unlikely as the match may have looked on paper, I believe that God has taken the template of this church and my life and is allowing us to converge for purposes that are unfolding.

Email: cdarwin@secondpresbyterianchurch.org

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Bio: Colin Kerr graduated in 2006 from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he left with Magna cum Laude and a depressing amount of debt. Throughout college, he was periodically active in youth ministry, apologetics, and evangelism—both in America, England, and Irish pubs. Prior to his call to ministry, Colin was the editor-in-chief of a collegiate conservative magazine, the founder of a non-partisan political journal, originator of the American Coalition for Socio-Economic Scholarships, a Westminster College campaign manager for the 2004 Presidential election, and counsel to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (no, not really). He is also author of Guerilla Missions for the College Christian and A Heaven-Backed Rebellion: Uncovering the Political Vision of Christian Liberals, which will be released this Fall. And if Colin hypothetically had free time, he would spend it enjoying philosophical chats, surfing, skimboarding, volleyball, and constructive political discourses.

Quote that represents you: "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."-Romans 12:2

Life-changing book you'd recommend: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. It’s a brilliant psychedelic thought-experiment on Heaven and Hell.

Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: “Return of the Jedi”. ‘Nuff said.

Best band/musician you've discovered lately: The Rocket Summer or Andrew Bird. Love that piano pop and eerie string folksy sound.

Why you work at Second Church: Because Second Church is a visionary participant in the downtown cultural and spiritual renewal taking place in Charleston and across the country. It's building something few churches will ever have the opportunity to do and that even fewer will respond to. All those reasons — and because God made me. Seriously, I’ll tell you the story sometime. It’s pretty awesome.

Email: ckerr@secondpresbyterianchurch.org

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Bio: Julia Harlow is the Director of Music and Organist at Second Church and teaches music (ear training, organ, and world music) at the College of Charleston. Originally from Iowa, her doctoral and masters degrees in organ and harpsichord performance are from the University of Oregon. She served on the board of the American Guild of Organists for 11 years and has been with us at Second Church for even more!

Quote that represents you: "There is nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the music plays itself." Johann Sebastian Bach.”

Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: "The Incredibles"

Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Radiohead/Thom Yorke

Why you work at Second Church: There was a felt need and all the pieces fell into place. I love the proximity to downtown and the college and how we make ourselves available to student musicians.

Email: jharlow@secondpresbyterianchurch.org

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Bio: Sue Allen Henderson has been director of the Second Presbyterian Kindergarten since 1977. She has served as an elder and as a deacon at Second Presbyterian and has served on the Christian Education Committee in several capacities including as chairman. She has been on the Boards of The Charleston Museum and Life Management. Sue is a graduate of The College of Charleston and taught kindergarten for 35 years.

Quote that represents you: “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”—Gospel of Mark 10:14

Life-changing book you'd recommend: The Education of Little Tree, Forrest Carter

Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: “Dirty Dancing”

Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Second Nature. They’re a good local band.

Why you work at Second Church: I was here as a member and the pastor asked me to start a kindergarten. From there, it just grew into a life-time passion. There are few things better than being able to share the Gospel with children as part of a foundational education.

Email: shenderson@secondpresbyterianchurch.org

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Bio: Mrs. Nancy Bryant is a native of the Charleston area. She has been a Church Administrator for nearly 25 years, serving God in three different denominations. She is blessed to be married to her best friend, Eddie. They enjoy camping, boating, off-shore fishing, and getting together with family and friends. Her spiritual gift of faith, with her passion for God and His people, and her equipping abilities has made her leadership as Administrator a great asset to Second Presbyterian Church. In addition to her work responsibilities, you will find Nancy volunteering by leading weekly Bible studies, active in missions, and care-giving. Nancy has served at Second Church since 1998.

Quote that represents you: “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” –Ephesians 4:12-13

Life-changing book you'd recommend: The Bible.

Favorite movie you're embarrassed to disclose: Finding Nemo

Best band/musician you've discovered lately: Lime and the Coconuts

Why you work at Second Church: I work for God, it just so happens the Presbyterians are signing my checks right now.

Email: nbryant@secondpresbyterianchurch.org

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"All you can do is the best You can do"
Life-changing books you'd recommend:"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown,"The Creative Call" by Janice Elsheimer
Email: diane@balister.org