STAFF
REVEREND
JEFF SPARGO
Senior Pastor
Jeff Spargo was called as Pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in September 2023. He is a native of Gastonia and even attended Covenant Baptist Church with his family as a teenager. He holds a B.A. from UNC Greensboro and a Master of Divinity from Gardner-Webb University. Before coming to Covenant, Jeff served in various church ministry roles in both North and South Carolina for nearly 12 years and has worked in a variety of nonprofit settings serving different communities. He is married to Ashley Spargo and they have two children - twins Grayson and Tessa. They also have a giant Golden Retriever who thinks she is a tiny lap dog and sheds hair everywhere. Jeff enjoys being outdoors (especially fishing, hiking, kayaking, golfing), drinking coffee (no cream or sugar) and spending time with his family.
NICK CLANTON
Minister of Youth
Nick is a graduate of Western Carolina University, holding B.S. degrees in Political Science and History, and a graduate of Gardner-Webb University with his Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies. He has served in a variety of congregational and ministerial contexts in both NC and Texas, working to connect those ministries with the larger communities. His oh-so-brief spare time is split between camping, running, getting up way too early on Saturdays to watch soccer, and living every week like it's Shark Week.
LYNN BARKER
Director of Preschool & Children
Lynn has 15 years' experience as lead teacher of children ages 6 weeks-school age. She is getting a Ministry Essentials Certificate from Fuller Theological Seminary. Lynn is the oldest of 6 children. In her spare time, you will find Lynn spending time with friends and family. Lynn enjoys spending time at the beach taking in God's beautiful creation. Lynn is active with The Least of These of The Carolinas as well as the 12 Hours of Christmas. Lynn also enjoys volunteering with Bridge Camp as well as Camp Sertoma.
BECKY BUMGARDNER
Pianist
Director of Children and Handbell Choirs
Becky is a graduate of Mars Hill University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano. As a teacher in the Gaston County Schools she accompanied many All-County and Honor Choirs on local and state levels during her 30 years of service. Previous churches she has served are First Baptist, Belmont; New Hope Baptist in Gastonia and her home church, Starnes Cove Baptist Church in West Asheville, NC. She joined the staff at Covenant Baptist in 2015.
EUGENE
BUMGARDNER
Choir Director
Mr. Eugene Bumgardner is a 1976 graduate of Gardner
Webb University. He holds a degree in music education with a concentration in voice. Mr. Bumgardner has served many churches in Cleveland, Lincoln and Gaston counties. He taught high school choral music for 37 years. Thirty of those years were at Kings Mountain High School. This group received superior ratings for 27 consecutive years. After retiring from NC public education, he taught in several South Carolina schools; Gaffney, Northwestern and South Pointe High. His groups have received superior ratings at state contests in North and South Carolina and at national contest festivals in Atlanta, Washington, Virginia and Orlando, Florida. Eugene is a member of NCMEA, SCACDA, SCMEA as well as ACDA. He was the guest clinician for the first North Carolina Junior High Honor Chorus at the state convention in Winston Salem.
Eugene and his wife Becky live in Gastonia. They enjoy living close to their three children and five grandchildren. Benjamin Bumgardner, Beth Aron and Harrison Bumgardner; Atlee and Mack Bumgardner,Eleanor Aron, Sebastian and Margaret Bumgardner.
JERRY
FULHAM
Organist
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Jerry began serving as organist at Covenant Baptist Church May 2016. He resides in Belmont with his wife Sharon. They have one son, Jonathan. Jerry has earned A.S., B.S., and M.S. degrees from Wingate University, Atlantic Christian College/Barton College, and N. C. A. & T. State University. Jerry has taught at the college level and spent most of his career teaching in Gaston County Schools including high school chorus and elementary music. While teaching he has also held part-time positions in churches serving as church organist, pianist, and choir director.
DEBRA
SAYLES
Church Administration
Debra has worked as a Church Administrator for 11 years and joined the staff at Covenant Baptist in December 2019. Debra and her husband Jeff have been married for 47 years and relocated to Gastonia in 2007 to be closer to family. They have three daughters; Suzi and husband Greg in Durham, Sarah and husband Peter in Manhattan and Emily and husband Dan in Athens, GA. They are the very proud grandparents of Katie, Julia, Noah, Zoe, Owen and Ethan. In her spare time Debra enjoys knitting, reading, beach vacations and spending time with family.