CLARKESVILLE

Meet the Staff

Rev. Grady J. Walden -- Pastor

Grady Walden is a Georgia native. He earned his undergraduate degree from Mercer University where he majored in Christianity. He completed his Master of Divinity from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. After serving as pastor of four churches in Georgia and a Hospice Chaplain, Grady was called to Clarkesville Baptist Church.

Pastor Grady and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three sons. Brian is a student at North Georgia Technical School, Aaron is a junior at Mercer University, and Caleb is a sophomore at Tallulah Falls School. Lisa is a sixth grade Language Arts and Reading teacher at Rabun County Elementary School.

Grady enjoys serving as a pastor in the North Georgia Mountains. As he’s fond of saying,

“I have found this to be a wonderful church home in which I am able to love God’s people and be loved by this church family.”

Sara Williams -- Organist

Sara was a college music major for 4 years, and she’s been serving as a church organist for 59 years. Sara was married to Bob, the love of her life, for 57 years when he became ill and passed away in 2009. Sara and Bob were a Navy family for 23 years until Bob retired in 1973. They moved to Habersham County in 1976.

Sara has 3 daughters, 1 son, 4 grandsons, 2 granddaughters, 1 great granddaughter, and she’ll even have a set of twin granddaughters soon! Clarkesville Baptist Church has been very blessed by Sara’s dedicated service as she plays the organ each Sunday.

Rev. Curt Frederick -- Minister of Music

Education: B. M., Mercer University, Atlanta, GA; M. M., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

Reverend Curt Frederick and his wife Sabrina live in Cornelia, GA. The have two daughters, two son-in-laws, two grandsons, and two granddaughters. Curt has enjoyed singing, ringing, playing instruments, and leading choirs since his early twenties. He has taught children, teens, and adults to develop their musical skills for over 30 years.

He has enjoyed serving Clarkesville Baptist Church as their part-time Minister of Music since January 1999. Curt has also been the high school music teacher at Tallulah Falls School since 2009, and he teaches private piano and voice lessons in his home studio. Rev. Frederick is even a volunteer chaplain with Habersham Medical Center and the Northeast Georgia Medical System! His hobbies include woodworking, auto and home maintenance, gardening, square dancing, and round dancing.

Carla Lewis-- Pianist

Carla Sisk Lewis resides in Toccoa, GA. Her studio, Roseland School of Music, currently teaches piano and voice to approximately 40 students. Along with her 26 years of teaching experience, she has served as the Organist/Pianist for Grace Baptist Church of Toccoa, GA for 12 years. She also served as the choral accompanist for the Toccoa Symphony Orchestra for many years.

Carla is married to Chuck Lewis, and they have four children: Dax, Megan, Jesse, and Annie. The couple’s daughter-in-law, Whitney, is married to Dax, and their son-in-law, Brett Peeples, is married to Annie. Their granddaughter Annalee is the daughter of Dax and Whitney. Carla’s favorite activities are spending time with her family and hiking.

Gale Chambers—Church Secretary

Gale Chambers is a native resident of Habersham County where she lives in Demorest with her husband James. Gale worked most of her adult life in the Customer Service Center of the local telephone company. She began working as CS Rep in 1980, moved up to departmental secretary, Senior Service Rep, Customer Service Trainer, and finally to Training Coordinator.

After the phone company was purchased by another business, she became a licensed Realtor and continued her education to become a Real Estate Broker; however, this does not interfere with her love and dedication to our church! Gale has 2 wonderful Sons and Daughter-in-laws. She also has 3 granddaughters who occupy most of her free time: Hannah, Abigale and Morgan. Gale’s hobbies include making jewelry and reading.