About Us

Our Ministers

Kirk H. Neely, a native of Spartanburg, became Pastor of the Morningside congregation in June, 1996. A graduate of Furman University, he earned both the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was awarded a Merrill Fellowship to the Divinity School of Harvard University. Kirk Neely is a pastor, teacher, counselor, and writer. He has taught as an adjunct faculty member at Southern Seminary, Gardner-Webb, Wofford College, and USC Upstate. He is certified in clinical pastoral education and as a pastoral counselor. He has served as chaplain in several institutional settings and as a pastoral counselor at churches in Winston-Salem, N.C., and in Spartanburg. Dr. Neely has published several books and numerous articles. Read more about Dr. Neely and his publications on his website, www.kirkhneely.com. Kirk and his wife, Clare, are the parents of five children. They have five granddaughters and three grandsons.

Jack C. Dodds became our Associate Pastor at Morningside in October, 1996. He is a native of Jeffersonville, Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University. He earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jack served churches in Indiana, Virginia, and Georgia before coming to Morningside. He and his wife, Ruth, have four grown children: Jason, Nathan, Catherine, and Rebekah.

Jack seeks to develop an educational program where every member and guest at Morningside feels welcome, and the study of God's word is life changing. It is his goal to help us reach, teach, win, and develop persons for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. Jack seeks to ensure that every need we may have in the area of education, discipleship, and outreach is fulfilled. You can contact Jack at jdodds@msidechurch.org

Holly Irvin became our Associate Pastor for Music Ministries in October, 2006. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University, in Macomb, Illinois, with a Bachelor's Degree in Music. She also has a Masters of Divinity in Church Music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, Kentucky. Holly has served churches as Associate Pastor and in the ministries of music, youth, and children in Georgia and Virginia. She and her husband, Mike have three children: Kelsey, Shelby and Lydia. Holly wants to help everyone at Morningside develop their God-given musical talents to worship God and provide opportunities for using these gifts regardless of age or skill. She is passionate about presenting occasions for every Christian to worship God through music and the arts.

You can contact Holly at hirvin@msidechurch.org

Born in Chattanooga, TN Carrie moved to Jacksonville Beach, Fl with her family when she was 11. The older of 2 girls, Carrie graduated from Stetson University in DeLand, Fl in 1999 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Religion and History. As a 2003 graduate of the McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Carrie served as Associate Pastor of Children at First Baptist Church

Gainesville, GA from March 2004 – October 2009.

In 2010 Carrie had a busy year. She moved to South Carolina in February to begin her ministry at Morningside, became an aunt for the first time in March, and got married in September. Her husband Neal is an EMT and works in the Emergency Room at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. They have 2 dogs, Molly and Jessie.

Carrie also writes missions curriculum for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as well as

consults with churches to aid in their children’s ministry endeavors. Carrie’s passion rests on

children and their becoming followers of Christ. You can contact Carrie at cveal@msidechurch.org

Chris came to Morningside in September of 2012 and has served in churches in Kentucky, Maryland and Virginia. He is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and received a Bachelors of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University and a Masters of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990. Chris brings 25 years of ministry experience to Morningside and is excited to work with the staff and minister to the senior adults.

Chris and his wife Jamie have two children Natalie, who is a college student at Coastal Carolina University and Josh, who lives and works in Somerset, Kentucky.

You can contact Chris at jckurtz@msidechurch.org