Our Pastor

A native of Aiken County, South Carolina, Reverend T. E. Simmons is the 19th child of the late Reverend J. J. Simmons and Effie Mae Toney Simmons. Reverend Simmons is married to Angela Carter Simmons and this union is blessed with three daughters; Lacey (Brandon), and twins; Adriann and Amanda (Derrick); and five grandchildren, Keenan, Jaden, Parker, Dallas Ayrsley, and Walker. Reverend Simmons is a 1975 graduate of Aiken High School of Aiken, South Carolina; a 1979 graduate of South Carolina State University of Orangeburg, South Carolina; and a 1990 graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center—Morehouse School of Religion of Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, he has completed studies at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in Wheaton, Illinois and the Institute of Church Administration and Management of Atlanta, Georgia. In May of 2006, he received an honorary Doctorate Degree from the N.J. Brockman School of Religion. In 1983, he was called into the Gospel Ministry and licensed in July 1983 by the Summer Grove Baptist Church of Aiken County and the Reedy River Baptist Church of Mauldin. Later in 1983, he was called to Pastor the Reedy Fork Baptist Church of Simpsonville, South Carolina where he continues to serve. In 1987, Pastor Simmons became the full time Pastor and under his divine leadership, our membership has increased over 75%. In addition, the Church has grown both spiritually and physically, including a 1.8 million dollar facility with dedicated space for administrative and educational offices and a Family Life Center. Reverend Simmons is affiliated with the Reedy River Baptist Association and its auxiliaries, the Baptist E & M Convention of South Carolina, and the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and its auxiliaries. Presently he serves as Member of the Prisma Health System Minority Advisory Committee, Board Chairman of the Reedy Fork Center for Community Development, and Prisma Health Board of Directors.

Our Mission Statement

Our Vision

“Creating a Culture of Christ through Love” “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 (NIV) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” - 1 Cor. 13:4-8 (NIV) The word create means to bring into existence or to cause something to happen as a result of one’s actions. The word Culture may be defined as a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a church. We aim to make Christ the center of all that we do, and all that we are. Our goal is to further His kingdom and bring glory to His name. In our relationships with God and our relationships with each other, we aim to exemplify all that Christ has taught us, in our everyday walks. “God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.”-Galatians 5:22-23 (CEV) With Christ as the center of all that we do, because God’s spirit is among us and inside us, we are able to, and aim to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in all aspects of life.