JOY LUTHERAN CHURCH - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Staff and Ministry Leaders Team
• Disciple & Parish Services Coordinator
• Parish Administrator and Joy Connector

Job Titles:

• Deacon
• Member of the Staff and Ministry Leaders Team

My name is Deacon Chris St. Clair, and I joined the staff at Joy in August of 2023. I was born and raised in Texas, and grew up in the ELCA church. I've lived all around Texas, separated by a few years in Kentucky. I'm married to Britany - a teacher in in Spartanburg, and we have two children and two dogs. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology from Northern Kentucky University and my master's degree from Brite Divinity School. I was ordained as a deacon in January 2017 and since then I've served in a variety of ministry contexts. I first worked in youth ministry in 2001 at Lutheran Hills a camp in Indiana, where I served three summers. I began working in congregations in 2003, serving 3 years at Ascension Lutheran in Louisville, KY, 3 and a half years at First Christian Church in McKinney, TX, and thirteen years at Triumphant Lutheran in San Antonio, TX. Overall, I have over 20 years working in youth ministry. As a deacon, my passions are ministering to children and families, empowering people to serve. I enjoy leading adventure trips like retreats, camps, and mission trips.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Staff and Ministry Leaders Team
• Assistant Director of Music Ministries
• Director of Music Ministries

Jonathan has been playing professionally for over 30 years. He has been focused on music ministries since 2014, where he has played and led worship at Springs of Grace Lutheran in Boiling Springs, SC, and here at Joy Lutheran. Jonathan has been a member of the contemporary worship praise band at St. John's Lutheran Church in Spartanburg, SC, since 2022. He is a Project Leader at BMW, and has worked there for 26 years. He holds a BA degree in Political Science and Business from the University of South Carolina.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Staff and Ministry Leaders Team
• Pastor

I have been a Lutheran all my life but have really enjoyed meeting people of many different faith backgrounds as the pastor of Joy. The diversity of others has enhanced my faith and the ways in which I experience God in my own life. I am a graduate of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina and I am the church planter of Joy serving here since 1998. It has been the honor and gift of a lifetime.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Staff and Ministry Leaders Team
• Director of Music Ministries

Sydney is an accomplished, professional musician with over 25 years experience, during which time she has provided private instruction in voice, piano and guitar. Sydney holds undergraduate degrees in Studio Art and Art History from Converse College, and a graduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of South Carolina. Over the past 22 years, she has served as music and choir director at various churches in both Spartanburg and New Orleans. Sydney has also directed several instrumentalists and ensembles over the years and helped establish the Artists Collective/Spartanburg (formerly the West Main Artists Coop), and currently sits on the management board.