Wightman United Methodist Church

Michael Turner - Pastor

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Pastor Michael Turner grew up in Lyman, SC and received his early formation in the faith at Victor UMC in Greer, SC.  In 1997 he graduated from Wofford College and then completed his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in 2000. 

After serving as Associate Pastor at Lyttleton Street UMC in Camden for three years, Michael served as pastor of both Liberty Chapel and Friendship UMCs and was the United Methodist campus minister at Francis Marion University for four years before coming to Wightman in June of 2007.  Michael and his wife, Heather, daughter, Ellie Grace, and son, Drew, are excited to be in Prosperity and at Wightman. 

“I look forward to the great things God wants to accomplish here at Wightman.  This church is filled with incredibly gifted people with a passion for being in ministry to the community.  The future is limitless.”

Click here to check out Pastor Michael's blog.

Jon Ballard - Youth Minister/Contemporary Worship Leader

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Jon was born in Texas, raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, and has served churches in Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina.

He sings, plays guitar, keyboard and drums, is very experienced in worship leadership and youth ministry, and has a strong faith. 

He and Julie have been married for 14 years, and they are excited to be a part of the Wightman family.

Lynda Counts - Secretary

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Lynda Pugh Counts has been a member of Wightman since 1953.  She graduated from Mid-Carolina High School in 1961 and received a BA in Library Science and Chemistry from Columbia College in 1965.  Lynda is married to Jimmy Counts, co-owner and manager of Counts Sausage Company.  She was employed by DuPont at the Savannah River Plant in Aiken and served as school librarian/secretary at Prosperity and Rikard Elementary Schools before starting her family.  She and Jimmy have 3 grown daughters.  Lynda has been serving Wightman as secretary since 1972. 

Eddie Rivers - Organist & Music Director

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Eddie Rivers currently resides in Prosperity with his wife Mary Sue.  They have a daughter, Suzanne, who is married to Jeremy.  Suzanne and Jeremy have two children.  Eddie earned a B.A. degree in French from Newberry College and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of S.C.  He taught French at Ninety Six High School for seven years and was Director of Guidance for another twenty-three years.  He is retired from the school system.  In addition to performing the duties of Organist and Music Director at Wightman, he is currently employed as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace Lutheran Church where he and his wife are members.