St. David Lutheran Church is staffed by a team of wonderful servants who work to support the ministry of the congregation.
Staff and parish leadership
Meet our staff
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Pastor
The Rev. Gregory S. Brown, or Pastor Greg, as he prefers to be called, is a native of Greenwood, SC. He graduated from Lander University in 2009 with a degree in music and received his Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenior Rhyne University in 2013. He has been in the Army National Guard since 2005 where he serves as a chaplain in addition to his parish responsibilities.
Pastor Greg was ordained on July 27, 2013 and spent his first three years in ministry as Associate Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport, NY, and then spent three years in Hickory, NC, as pastor of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church before coming to St. David in June of 2019.
Pastor Greg and his wife Leah, a registered nurse, were married on January 9, 2010, and have three children: Jackson and Reagan were born in 2013, and Tucker in 2019. He enjoys college football (Go Gamecocks!), golf, music, good food, wine, craft beer, and music.
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Director of Youth and Family Ministries
Ben Bernstein is from Spartanburg SC, where he attended Dorman High School and played varsity football. Ben was a 2-time South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth President. Ben also had the privilege of serving as the emcee of the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston Texas.
Ben attended The University of South Carolina -Upstate and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Communications in 2021.
Upon graduation, Ben entered into the candidacy process to become a rostered leader in the ELCA for Word and Sacrament. Ben is attending the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary for a Master of Divinity degree to become an ordained pastor.
When Ben is not working, he enjoys spending time with his fiancé Courtney. Ben enjoys cultivating and nurturing young peoples faith. He is also a huge supporter of the Pittsburgh Steelers and finds joy in cooking and hanging out with his dog Cooper.
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Director of music & Organist
Dr. Al Roberts is Director of Music and Organist at St. David. He also directs the Jubilate Bell Choir and our instrumental ensembles, and writes a monthly column, "Worship Notes," for our newsletter. His hymn arrangements are used for worship, and his compositions for organ, piano, choir, and instruments have been published by Augsburg Fortress and Shawnee Press.
Dr. Roberts is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Music. He and his wife, Frances, have two sons.
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Choir Director
Otto Hage is a native of Cheraw, S.C. A graduate of Newberry College with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, Mr. Hage has studied horn with Lavon Bazemore and composition with Bill Long. He began his teaching career at Marion High School in Marion, S.C. While Director of Bands at Marion High School, Mr. Hage led the bands to several superior ratings at state and regional festivals and contests. During that time he also served as Director of Choirs and Music at Macedonia Lutheran Church.
From there, Mr. Hage served as Director of Bands at Pelion High School and began serving as Choir Director here at St. David Lutheran Church.
In 2020, Mr. Hage became Director of Bands at White Knoll High School. He continues serving here at St. David and is an active arranger and performer, appearing on stage with the Columbia Concert Band and his own band, Civil Remedy.
Otto and his wife, Deana, have one daughter and two sons.
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Parish Administrator
Gloria Miller has served as Parish Administrator of St. David Lutheran Church since July of 1986.
She was born in Columbia, S.C., graduated from Eau Claire High School, attended Columbia College and USC in the summer sessions, and Winthrop College for three years.
Gloria and her husband, Lindsay, have a daughter and son-in law, Suzanne and Clint Chassereau and one granddaughter, Avery. Gloria enjoys walking, reading, painting, and photography.
