Spring Valley Baptist Ministers
REv. Blake Jenkins
Pastor
Blake Jenkins has served as Pastor of Spring Valley since January 2023. He has a B.A. from the University of Alabama, a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School, and is currently working on his Doctorate at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
His passions in ministry are shepherding God’s people in His Word, equipping followers of Jesus to do the work of the ministry, and helping the church to partner with what God is doing all around the world.
Blake enjoys spending time with his wife, Becca (from Sumter, SC), and two boys, Thomas and Will (a.k.a. Dubs,) eating good food, reading good books, and watching college football.
Dr. Rick McCollum
Minister of Music & Worship
Rick McCollum has served as Minister of Music and Worship of Spring Valley since 1995. He has a B.A. from the University of South Carolina, an M.A. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, an M.A. from Louisiana Baptist University, and a D. Min. from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.
His passion in ministry is to activate and mobilize the gifted to ministry. You may hear him ask, "do you sing or play an instrument?"
Rick enjoys spending time with his wife, Christi, working in his home studio, and eating ice cream.
REv. Marshall Coen
Minister of Discipleship & Administration
Marshall Coen has served as the Minister of Discipleship and Administration since July 2024. He has a B.B.S from Hardin-Simmons University and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before joining the staff, Marshall served over twenty years on active duty as a U.S. Army Chaplain.
His passion in ministry is to help others discover and grow in their relationship with Christ.
Marshall loves being with his wife, Jill, and their five boys, Silas, Jude, Ira, Ezra, and Zecharias. As a family they enjoy spending time together, playing sports, traveling, watching movies, and playing games.
Spencer Creech
Minister of Students
Spencer Creech has served as Minister of Students of Spring Valley since March 2024. He has a B.A. and a Master of Divinity from Columbia International University.
His passion in ministry is to see lost people found and for believers to lean into The Way of life that Jesus provides for true freedom and God’s glory.
Spencer enjoys spending time with his wife, Sophie, and their daughter, Selah. They love spending time outside, going to the zoo, and watching movies together. Spencer and Sophie are Columbia, SC, natives and are excited to serve in their hometown.
Mrs. Allyson Kelly Horton
Children's Ministry Director
Allyson Kelly Horton has been our Children's Ministry director since 2005. She graduated in 1987 with a BA degree in Physical Education from Columbia College and then attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, receiving a MA in Religious Education in 1991.
Allyson's favorite thing about ministry is leading children to a relationship with Christ and watching them grow in their faith. Although she has no kids of her own, she loves that she gets "paid to play" with the terrific kids at SVBC.
Allyson and her husband Mike have two fur babies, Pearl & Bleau. For fun, they like to attend Clemson games and travel.
Mrs. Katie Smoak
Preschool Ministry director
Katie Smoak has been our Preschool Ministry Director since June 2023. Katie graduated from Clemson University in 2003 with an Early Childhood Education degree and has loved every opportunity she has been given to teach and work with young children over the years.
Katie’s favorite thing about ministry is fostering connections and helping young families build a firm foundation in Christ. Katie is also the Weekday Preschool Director and is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition for all preschool families attending SVBC for the first time. She understands just how important it is to assure parents that their preschoolers are safe and loved in our church environment.
Katie and her husband, Charles, have three boys, Chase, Jacob, and Luke. They enjoy attending all kinds of sporting events together as a family and cheering on the Clemson Tigers. She and her family have attended SVBC for almost 10 years and are so appreciative of all the ways Spring Valley Baptist has poured into each of us at every stage.