Our Staff and Diaconate
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Lawrence B. Powers
More on Lawrence
Lawrence has lived in the Johnston County area since high school and is a graduate of Smithfield Selma High.
Prior to coming to BBC in January 2020, he served as a Campus Minister with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina at ECU, NC State, UNC-CH, Meredith College, Peace University, and as Baptist Chaplain at Duke University. He also served in various churches as both a Minister to College Students and Minister to Youth.
He loves the beach, mountains, and cheering on the Camels. He is married to Heather and together they have three kids and three dogs.
Education
Ordination:
Ordination to the ministry by Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship congregation.
Prior to coming to BBC in January 2020, he served as a Campus Minister with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina at ECU, NC State, UNC-CH, Meredith College, Peace University, and as Baptist Chaplain at Duke University. He also served in various churches as both a Minister to College Students and Minister to Youth.
He loves the beach, mountains, and cheering on the Camels. He is married to Heather and together they have three kids and three dogs.
Education
- Doctor of Ministry, Campbell University Divinity School, 2020
- Master of Divinity, Campbell University Divinity School, 2013
- Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy, Campbell University, 2009
Ordination:
Ordination to the ministry by Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville, a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship congregation.
Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families
Rev. Will Raybon
More on Will
Will spent most of his life in the mountains of Western North Carolina, but is excited to now be living in the Johnston County area!
Before beginning his tenure at BBC, he served for three years as the Associate Youth Minister at First Baptist Greenville, SC.
He loves the outdoors, hiking, and traveling. He is married to Celine, a second-grade teacher at South Smithfield Elementary School, and they have a goofy hound dog named Indy.
Education
Ordination:
Ordination to the ministry by First Baptist Church, Asheville, a dually aligned Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Alliance of Baptists congregation.
Before beginning his tenure at BBC, he served for three years as the Associate Youth Minister at First Baptist Greenville, SC.
He loves the outdoors, hiking, and traveling. He is married to Celine, a second-grade teacher at South Smithfield Elementary School, and they have a goofy hound dog named Indy.
Education
- Master of Divinity, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, 2020
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 2015
Ordination:
Ordination to the ministry by First Baptist Church, Asheville, a dually aligned Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Alliance of Baptists congregation.
Minister of Contemporary Worship
Rachel West
More on Rachel
Before coming to Benson, Rachel has worked in various churches all in youth ministry roles. She is a 2020 graduate of Campbell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies and graduated with her Master of Divinity in May 2024.
Rachel loves all things music and songwriting, as well as preaching in her spare time. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Rachel lives in Newton Grove with her family and fur baby, Bella.
Education
Rachel loves all things music and songwriting, as well as preaching in her spare time. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Rachel lives in Newton Grove with her family and fur baby, Bella.
Education
- Master of Divinity, Campbell University Divinity School, 2024
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, Campbell University, 2020
