Introducing the Staff of Poplar Springs Baptist Church.
Tony Tench
Anthony (Tony) Tench answered Poplar Springs’ call and began service as interim pastor in August 2022. Originally from Bristol, Virginia, Tony received a Bachelor of Arts from Milligan College (Tennessee) and his Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Tony and his wife, Janet, were married in 1979. God has blessed their family with one daughter and two grandchildren. Tony began following Jesus as Savior and Lord at the age of nine. He was licensed…
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…
Vickie Elliott
Vickie Elliott joined the Poplar Springs staff as Office Manager in October of 2009. A graduate of North Mecklenburg High School, Vickie also attended Cleveland Community College. Prior to beginning her service at Poplar Springs, Vickie worked for Porter Brothers as a Customer Service Representative and for North Carolina Farm Bureau. Vickie is married to husband Brett and has one son, Ryan who is an Environmental Scientist for TGS Engineers in Raleigh.
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.