Officer Elections will be held during a brief congregational meeting following the 9 am and 11 am worship services on Sunday, November 19.
The eligible candidates for the 2026 Class of Officers are:
Brian Anders - New Elder Candidate
For 30 years, Brian and his wife, Karen, have been missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Brian, Karen, and their two children returned from Africa in 2012 and Brian began working at JAARS.
The Anders are active in the Legacy Builders Sunday morning discipleship group and the global missions ministry. They also host a weekly small group with other couples.
As a new elder, Brian is looking forward to joining together with the Session as they seek to glorify God, build up the body of Christ, and bless our neighbors and the world.
Gordon Bell - New Elder Candidate
Gordon Bell is the Executive Director of Hope of Rock Hill, which is a ministry that provides food and financial assistance to thousands of Rock Hill residents in need.
Gordon is married to Sally, and they have four adult children. The Bells are active in the Covenant Sunday morning discipleship group. Gordon also serves as a deacon and on the Security Team.
In returning to the Session, he is looking forward to continuing the ministry of shepherding and discipleship.
Kirk Brandt - Returning Elder Candidate
Kirk is a current ruling elder who was nominated to return. Over the years, he and his wife, Ellen, have been involved in serving in the youth and young professionals ministries.
Kirk is a coach with ROAR Sports and is involved in the Session’s Shepherding Ministry Task Force. He also leads the Acts 2:42 Sunday morning discipleship group and a men’s discipleship group.
In returning to the Session, he is looking forward to continuing the ministry of shepherding and discipleship.
Charles Cranford - Returning Elder Candidate
Charles another is ruling elder nominated to return to active service. He leads a men’s discipleship group and the Ephesians 4 Sunday morning discipleship group. He has stayed active in shepherding during his sabbatical year from the Session and is looking forward to returning.
Charles is married to Rhonda and they have two adult children. They enjoy studying God’s Word, being fed by biblical teaching, and feel Westminster is their home and safe haven.
In returning to the Session, he is looking forward to engaging wholeheartedly in the newly formed shepherding ministry and, therefore, serving the members in his “flock.”
John Fussell - New Deacon Candidate
John is a recent graduate of Winthrop University and works at York Electric Cooperative. He is engaged to be married to Morgan Hair.
John grew up as a covenant child at Westminster. He serves with the children’s ministry, greeting team, and audio and video ministry. He is also involved in the young professionals and men’s discipleship ministry.
As a new deacon, John looks forward to being part of a team that seeks to assist those who are in need, both inside our church and in the community.
Nathan Gaulden - New Elder Candidate
Nathan works alongside his brothers at their family business, Gaulden Monuments. He is married to Cami, and they have two wonderful children.
Nathan is currently a deacon, a volunteer on our Security Team, and involved with a weekly men’s discipleship group. He has also served as an usher and co-led a Sunday morning discipleship group. Through his involvement, he enjoys the Christ-centered teaching and fellowship at Westminster.
As a new elder, Nathan looks forward to loving the Lord by caring for His people.
Steve Heckard - Returning Elder Candidate
Steve has been a ruling elder for many years and is nominated to return to active service. Steve was very involved in Westminster’s planting of the Rock Hill Bible Fellowship Church on Amelia Avenue.
He coached football at West Point as well as coached and taught Bible at The Catawba School (now WCCS) for several years.
Steve and Mary Jane have been married for 56 years. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. They are active in the Seekers Sunday morning discipleship group and have led in many ministries including the men’s and women’s discipleship ministry.
Mike Russo - Returning Elder Candidate
After retiring from his career as a sales engineer, Mike now works with Hope of Rock Hill and in a self-employed capacity. He is married to Anna, and they have three adult children and a 13-year-old involved in the youth ministry.
Mike is another ruling elder who has been nominated to return to active Session service. He has also been actively involved in the missions and men’s discipleship ministry.
In returning to the Session, Mike is passionate about helping to fill the shepherding needs of our congregation, particularly as he develops closer relationships with his “flock.”
As you pray for these men and God’s guidance for our congregation, consider the Lord’s instruction through the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 regarding the qualifications of Elder and Deacon.