Staff

Introducing the Staff of Poplar Springs Baptist Church.

Aaron Hinton

Aaron Hinton began his pastoral ministry at Poplar Springs Baptist Church on August 1, 2023. Prior to PSBC, he served at Gardner-Webb University in various roles with Church Relations and the Christian Service Organization. Prior to Gardner-Webb, he served on full-time staff at Fort Caswell for six years after working on Caswell’s Summer Staff for four summers during college. Aaron quite literally grew up in the Baptist church as his dad and mom served in ministry for 42 years. Hinton holds a…

Mischa Barrett

Mischa Barrett joined the Poplar Springs staff in August of 2023 as the office manager. She had previously worked in healthcare as an administrative assistant. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Mischa moved to Shelby, NC in the late 90’s and started a family here. She has two grown daughters, Makenna and Marissa, whom she loves spending time with any chance she gets. She enjoys reading, writing letters and cards to friends and family and being with her girls.

Katherine Asis

Katherine Asis has been the minister of music and music education at Poplar Springs since October 2012.  Originally from Lenoir, NC, Katherine received her Bachelor of Music degree in Sacred Music from Appalachian State University.  She began working in music ministry in 2006 in Gastonia, NC and received her Master of Divinity degree from Gardner-Webb University in 2010.  Her passion is introducing others to the truths of God through music and leading God’s people into authentic worship.  Katherine is married…

Nicole Hamrick

Nicole Hamrick grew up at Poplar Springs and has been serving as the Minister of Children and Youth here since June 2017.  Nicole studied at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received a degree in Mathematics, a 9-12 licensure to teach, and a minor in Spanish.  She taught high school mathematics for 5 years before heading to graduate school at Gardner-Webb University where she received her Master of Divinity degree in 2016 with a concentration in Intercultural…

Gailya Hamrick

Gailya Hamrick became an accompanist for Poplar Springs Worship Services in June, 1968 at the age of twelve. She has played both the piano and organ at regular worship services, special services, weddings and other events, but her passion is piano. Gailya enjoys accompanying the choir and congregation as together they strive to make a ‘joyful noise’ in praise to God. Gailya and her husband, John have 3 children ( 1 son and 2 daughters) and 4 grandchildren (2 grandsons…

Clyde Buckner

Clyde served as a minister in NC Baptist churches for 43 years before his retirement in 2011.  The last thirty-one years of that was at Poplar Springs where he ministered in many different capacities (Music, Youth, Children, Singles, Senior Adults, Associate Pastor, and bus driver.)  He currently serves as sexton, deacon, member of the adult bell choir, chairman of the transportation committee and as a bass singer who sits in the back row of the Sanctuary Choir and misbehaves. He…

Hugh Bess

Hugh Bess has been a lifelong member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church. In 2008, Hugh joined the church staff as the Host. In this part time role, Hugh is responsible for taking care of activities related to the Family Life Center Kitchen and for planning and implementing the Wednesday Night Meals. Hugh is married to Carolyn, and together they have two adult sons.