Get to know the staff of FPC

The Reverend Clark Remsburg began his ministry as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Orangeburg, S.C., November 1, 2022. He previously served churches in North Carolina and Mississippi. He also serves on the boards of Theology Matters, Institute for Theological Education, and the Foundation for Reformed Theology. Pastor Clark is passionate about making disciples – followers of Jesus Christ not fans. His preaching and his teaching are driven by Jesus’ Great Commission given to His disciples Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. (Matthew, 28:19-20a, The Message) And building communities of disciples as They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. (Acts, 2:42, The Message) Pastor Clark loves to cook, hunt, fish, and read. He and his wife, Marilyn, love to gather groups of people at the dinner table for home cooked meals and fellowship.

I have served as Minister of Music at FPO for five years. I grew up in Batesburg, SC . I received a Bachelor of Arts in music from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC, and a Masters in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. I have also done post graduate work in music at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. My current position includes playing the pipe organ for services, directing Children’s Choir, Youth Handbell, and Chancel Choir. Martin Luther had this to say about music “Next to the Word of God the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in this world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits.”

I grew up in Orangeburg and am a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, Orangeburg. In 2010, I became the Youth and Children’s Director. My responsibilities include coordinating children’s activities, Vacation Bible School, and the youth group. I graduated from Presbyterian College with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, and I also have an M.Ed. in Reading Education from the Citadel. Before working at First Presbyterian, I was an elementary school teacher in South Carolina and Georgia. My husband Matt and I have two children, Sarah Francis and Moultrie.

I live in Orangeburg. Married to my wife, Mary, for 51 years. I am very much God and family oriented. We have 9 children and 12 grandchildren. I have worked for 22 years at First Presbyterian Church, Orangeburg. My family and I are active at Jones Chapel Baptist Church.

I am a native South Carolinian and except for the time spent at LSU receiving a Master of Social Work have lived in South Carolina. My social work career was in mental health, corrections, schools, and teaching in the Social Work program at SC State University. Upon retiring from S. C. State in 1993, I became the volunteer Christian Education Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church, Orangeburg where I have been a member since 1970. Two of my children, Sandra and Michael, are children of this church and I have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Married and lives in St. Matthews, SC, with husband, Thom. We have two children, Payton, and Nathan. Our daughter, Payton, lives in Greenville and son, Nathan, lives in Columbia. My husband and I are active members of First Baptist Church, St. Matthews. Other activities include choir member, assistant choir director, embroidery enthusiast, and multiple crafts that take up my time outside of First Presbyterian and First Baptist. I retired from state government after 33 years of service in 2018.

I was born in West Allis, Wisconsin and my family moved to Colorado when I was in my teens. After traveling with my husband in the Army, we settled in Orangeburg in 1997. My work history started in banking, but in 2002, I started working with churches and found it more fitting to my quiet personality. I have one son, William, who works in Columbia and my husband, Dan, who happily works at nothing, being retired from the Army and various retail management jobs.