Our Staff
Senior Pastor:
Larry McCarty
Pastor Larry Allan McCarty was born in Falls View, WV on November 3, 1956. Larry was born-again during a Youth Revival in Boomer, WV on July 21, 1974. Two years later, while out to sea he answered the call of God into the full-time ministry. Larry was ordained into the Gospel ministry at Lebanon Baptist church in Talbott, TN in 1981. He has since served as Senior Pastor at Kelford Baptist Church in Bertie County, NC, Baynes Baptist Church in Burlington, NC and Moultrie Baptist Church in Saint Augustine, FL.
Pastor Larry graduated from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. He earned His Masters of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
Since 1989, Pastor Larry has also been a United States Army Reserve Chaplain. He was mobilized to active duty 90 days after 9-11. Larry served as a Chaplain for over nine years with his base of operations at Fort Bragg, NC. While at Fort Bragg he served as Senior Pastor at the Main Post Chapel and the 82nd Airborne Memorial Chapel. He also deployed to Iraq with the 16th Military Police Brigade and the 18th Soldier Support Group.
Pastor Larry came off Active duty in 2011. He began his ministry as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Spring Lake, NC in April of 2011.
Pastor Larry’s gifts are shepherding, preaching and teaching. His favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of Mark and his favorite scripture is Hebrews 12:1-2. Larry’s three-fold Battle cry is “Jesus is Real, His Word is True and People are all that Matter!”
Pastor Larry is incredibly grateful for the gift of family. He and his wife Robin have been married 30 years. Robin loves to teach and she is currently a Math Instructor to Soldiers at Fort Bragg.
Robin and Larry have two grown children; Danny and Joy. They have one grandson, Patrick Allan.
Minister of Youth and Children:
James Updegraff
James Russell Updegraff was born in Natchez, MS on January 4, 1980. James was led to the Lord by his father, Jim in the summer of 1986. James married his high-school sweetheart Jessica where they have three girls Mikayla, Molly, and Shiloh.
James earned his B.S. in Insurance/Risk Management from Missouri State University in 2006. He is currently earning his Masters of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
James served as soldier in the United States Army stationed here at Ft. Bragg from 2000 – 2003. As a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, James deployed in 2002 to Afghanistan. He currently serves as an officer in the National Guard and plans to serve soldiers as a Chaplain some day.
James’ gifts are administration, leadership, and teaching. His favorite book in the Bible is the Acts of the Apostles and his favorite scripture is Romans 12:1-2. You will find favorite music on James’ IPod by Chris Tomlin and Mercy Me. James plays guitar, sings, and is an insane Kansas City Chiefs fan. He also loves to read books as can been seen by his 800+ book collection.
Before ministry, James worked as a financial planner until God called Him to service while a member of South Side Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. As the Minister of Youth and Children, James is committed to helping children grow to learn about Jesus Christ as their savior and friend. James uses his experience as a troubled youth to build relationships with area teens by coming alongside them and increasing their faith. James is passionate about serving the community by helping others establish the authority of God’s Word in their lives.
Interim Music Director:
Jennifer Smith
Jennifer was born January 29, 1974 and raised in Prattville, AL. She was led to the Lord at 8 years old by her Aunt. Jennifer's love for music stems from her family roots of instument playing and singing, better known as "pickin and grinin". In 2006 she began to lead the youth choir at Union Grove Baptist church and was Asst. Music Director. She has been a choir member since 2006 as well.
Jennifer's "to live by" bible verse is Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. HCSB She enjoys the hymns but also enjoys listening to and singing the comtemporary style of praise and worship.
She and her husband Tim Smith were high school sweethearts and was married on December 24, 1991 and she graduated high school in June of 1992. They have three children; Roland, Adina (married to Sgt. Alex Clow), and Timothy, and one grandchild (the joy of life) Lilly Ray-Anne Clow. They came to Fort Bragg for a federal contract that Tim is QCM for.
Jennifer's ups and downs throughout life has brought her to a peace of knowing that God's will is the best way, but not always the easiest way. To God be ALL the glory for all of life's roads. Although she is not a die hard sports fan, she does enjoy screaming: WARRRRRR EAGLE!!! for her favorite college football team.
Child Development Center Director:
We are currently seeking to fill this position.
Director of Young Life Ministries:
Joe Roberto
Joe was born on Oct 26th, 1970, raised in the Willow Grove United Methodist Church where his family has been actively involved since the 1950s. While growing up, Joe was part of the WGUMC Youth Group, Church Choir and many other church programs. At age 8, Joe was attending a Vacation Bible School program at a nearby Baptist Church
where a teacher led him through the sinner’s prayer and he received Jesus Christ as his Savior.
After graduating high school in 1988, Joe enlisted in the US Navy and served his country for just under 10 years. Stationed at NATTC Millington Tennessee, Joe was invited to Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, was active with its Military Ministry and was baptized by Bellevue’s Minister to Military, Bill Hendry. It was there that Joe really began his personal relationship with Christ, discovering his own faith, and first realized his call into ministry.
While serving at Marine Corps Base Quantico Virginia, Joe attended an off base church (Midway Baptist) where he was asked to be the Youth Pastor. Joe served as Youth Pastor there for over 2 years before PCSing to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. At Sigonella, Joe volunteered with the Chapel Youth Program known as Club Beyond. While serving there, Joe was asked to consider becoming a missionary with Club Beyond (Young Life Military) and after a year of prayerful consideration, Joe felt the call on his life to participate fully in that role.
In December 1997, Joe received an honorable discharge from the US Navy and became a missionary to military teens with Military Community Youth Ministries and Young Life, bringing the love of Jesus Christ to these “Third Culture Teens” who so desperately need the stability that comes with faith in Jesus Christ.
Over the past 19 years, Joe has served in Youth Ministry at Midway Baptist Church, Stafford, Virginia – Sigonella, Italy - Würzburg, Germany –Hohenfels, Germany – Presidio of Monterey (old Fort Ord), California and Fort Bragg/Fayetteville, North Carolina Where Joe is today.
