CCC STAFF
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Mark Yoder
Lead Pastor Mark returned to Sumter to become CCC’s Lead Pastor in 2014. Growing up in Lexington, Kentucky, Mark attended the University of Kentucky before receiving his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife Carmen have been married since 1983. This current role at CCC is their second stint in Sumter, as Mark worked at a student ministry in town in the ‘90s. Mark and Carmen have five adult children: Caleb, Micah, Christian, Moriah Grace and Naomi—and grandchildren: Marin and Ada James. Mark is passionate about empowering a team in a shared vision—and loves working with a one-of-a-kind staff and elders. One of Mark’s favorite things about CCC is seeing the variety of backgrounds of our families and seeing people take their next step toward Jesus. On his days off, you can find Mark playing with his granddaughters or working on handyman projects. |
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Todd Solberg
Connection Pastor Todd has been in Sumter since he was stationed at Shaw as an Airman in 1990. At the end of his military career, he and his wife, Ingrid, began to attend CCC before Todd was asked to join the staff full time in 2005 as Student Pastor. Todd has a gift for listening and connecting people to Jesus and in fellowship. You’ll often see him at Mariachi’s telling stories, usually about his grandkids or stretching the truth about a hunt. |
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Linda Knight
Administrator Linda and her husband, John, are Sumter natives. She came on our staff in 2005 after working at Bynum Insurance. Linda wears many hats as the sole administrator at CCC and is the glue of the band. On her days off, she spends all the time she can with her children and grandchildren. You will not meet a kinder person at CCC, and if you have a question she’ll point you in the right direction. |
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Michael Thomas
CCC Camden Campus Pastor Michael joined our staff in 2022, after retiring from 23 years of service in the Army. He and his wife, Jill, met in his hometown of McRae, Georgia while they were both in college. They have two adult children, Ben & Hannah Grace who both serve in the US Coast Guard. Michael & Jill have attended CCC since 2019 after being stationed here with the Army. Michael loves spending time on the water — either fishing or at the beach. During his free time you may find him working on his house in Camden or at Haile Street Grille (Camden). |
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Caleb Yoder
Teaching & Missions Pastor Caleb was born in Lexington, KY and grew up in Birmingham, AL. He joined our team in 2016. He’s been in full-time ministry since 2010, and has a passion for seeing teens “get it” in their faith walk with Jesus. He also loves how CCC is a “come as you are” church, welcoming any and all to discover what they were created for. Caleb has never met a stranger and brings an energy to every meeting. He and his wife Rebekah have two young children, Marin and Ada. On his days off, you’ll find Caleb mixing it up on the basketball court or slicing it on the golf course. |
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BJ Riley
Student Pastor BJ was born and raised in Mebane, North Carolina. He and his wife Amanda and their two children, Rymer (’21) and Boone (’23) were brought to Sumter by Young Life — where he served as Sumter Director from 2020 until 2023. BJ’s passion is seeing students to sincerely follow Jesus and share that joy with their friends. In his free time, he enjoys the solitary passion of cheering for the Carolina Panthers and you may also find him at your nearest Brian McKnight concert. |
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Emerson Boyle
Student Assistant Emerson grew up in Chapin. She joined our team in 2020 and recently graduated from South Carolina with a degree in Public Health. Emerson is an eternal optimist who has never met a bad day. She is energized by hearing stories of students meeting Jesus. On her days off, she loves rearranging Mrs. Donna’s pictures or strolling on the Riverwalk with her husband, Evans. Emerson has the distinction of being the most competitive Tik Tok dancer on staff. |
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Ben Gaertner
Worship Pastor Ben joined our staff (again) in 2020. He previously served on staff from ’06 to ’13, and three of his children were born here. Ben loves the collegiality of the CCC staff and the shared dream to see the church reach the Sumter community with the beauty of Christ. He loves teams and what can be accomplished through working together. Ben grew up in a military home, but spent most of his time in Texas. On Fridays, you can find him with his family—wife Kara and children Nathan, Katherine, Kaytie, and Ethan – working on the house or strolling the glorious aisles of Costco. |
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Chris Reardon
Creative Director Chris is Sumter born and has lived in the surrounding area for most his life. He has been a member of CCC since 2007 and been on our staff since 2014. Chris is insatiably creative and loves helping people connect to God and create experiences that allow God to impact them in a new and fresh way. One thing Chris loves about CCC is the way that we try to reach past stereotypes and see people and seek to make everyone welcome here. When not at the office, you may find Chris with his wife Diana and their two boys, Cade and Finn, doing all the Disney things. |
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Jake Gary
Technical Director Jake joined our staff at the the summer of 2021. He has an eye for detail and enjoys time with friends, helping out wherever needed, and a fresh pour over. He serves our church as our technical director, a position he held while serving in Texas as well. Jake has eclectic tastes that include growing plants, photography and annual trips to Mexico with friends. If Jake ever offers to bake you something, say yes. |
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Missy Reese
CCC Kids Associate Missy is Sumter born and raised. She and her husband, Ken, and their two boys, T.J. and William, have been faithful members since 2006. Missy came on staff in 2015. Previously, she worked in marketing with the YMCA and SCDHEC. She loves to plan and dream of what CCC can do for families through children’s ministry. Missy also has the distinction of being the only former registered lobbyist on staff—she thinks that helps her as an evangelist—and we agree. On her days off, she enjoys working out before heading to Chick-Fil-A to rack up more reward points. |
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Amanda Riley
CCC Kids Administrative Assistant Amanda and her husband BJ moved to Sumter in 2020 for BJs position with YoungLife. They quickly found a place at CCC because, in her words, “it’s never been so easy to become immediately plugged into a church.” Amanda joined our staff in 2021 right about when her son Rymer was born. One of Amanda’s main motivators is investing in teams that can love and serve the kids at CCC well. In the evenings, Amanda and BJ can be found serving at YoungLife events or at Hampton’s La Piazza eating pizza and wings. |