New Heights Church Staff

Mike Townsend

Pastor

Pastor Mike Townsend came to Columbia in November 1985 after graduating from Southeastern Seminary. He led Colonial Heights through its relocation and name change. The church relocated in 1999 from Colonial Drive to 5501 Broad River Road and is now called New Heights Church. Pastor Mike uses his background in mechanical contracting and skills in woodworking to lead mission trips from Appalachia to Haiti.

Mike and Debby love the time they spend with their family. They have two married daughters, Traci and Holly, as well as 6 grandchildren. Pastor Mike's door is always open for a visit from the grandchildren.

You will find a different approach to speaking from Pastor Mike. He will engage your eyes as well as ears with his signature object lessons. He uses them masterfully to help you remember the key Biblical principle in his sermon.

And of course, if you can't find him at the church or with his family, you might need to check the golf course.

Myles Beck

Ministry Development

Myles joined the New Heights staff in April of 2002 to enhance existing ministries and develop relevant ministries for our church and community. He graduated from Liberty University, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has been engaged in virtually every ministry found in the contemporary local church.

He and his wife Wilma have 3 grown children [Wyndi, Ben & Jason] and 2 dogs [Buck and Grace]. They moved to Columbia after serving for 10 years in Holiday Park Baptist Church [Pittsburgh, PA]. They love to relax and talk while hiking through Harbison Forest with Buck and Grace.

Myles loves to teach and God has opened the way for him to do so in Samara, Russia every couple of years at the Baptist Bible School. Since 1995, he has taught more than 50% of the pastors in the Samara region. These "ventures" have helped Myles overcome a formerly overbearing fear of flying .

Donnie Smith

Minister of Music

Donnie is a native of Rock Hill, SC, and a graduate of the University of South Carolina (B. A. Media Arts) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Masters Church Music, Conducting). He is married to Elaine,the Children's Director at New Heights, and they have 3 children (David, Joanna, & Andrew) daughters-in-law (Susan, wife of David), (Katie, wife of Andrew) a son in-law (Andrew) and 6 grandchildren (Max, Owen, Morgan, Wyatt, Aidyn, and Grae).

Donnie has been with Colonial Heights & New Heights since 1992, initially as Minister of Music & Youth, and with growth of New Heights and the addition of Kathy Haupt (Youth Minister) he is now full-time music.

Before surrendering to vocational ministry, Donnie toured with various musical groups as a singer/ instrumentalist... including Fred Waring & The Pensylvanians (if you're under 60 years old ask your parents or grandparents). He enjoys writing music, playing tennis and being the director of the New Heights Community Players.

Elaine Smith

Children's Ministry

Elaine was born in Gardena, California and moved to Clover SC when she was 5. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was in 5th grade at a revival in her hometown church in Clover.

She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B. A. in Music Education and then taught music in Richland School District One. She is very happily married to Donnie, the Minister of Music at New Heights.

She has been a member of Colonial Heights/New Heights since 1992. She first served as church pianist/ accompanist before Children's Minister was added to her privileges in serving. She also works at St. Andrews Middle School. as a Media and ESOL Assistant, and enjoys teaching private piano lessons.

Elaine loves working with children and their families and singing/playing in the New Heights Choir. Her greatest desire is to see children come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Kathy Haupt

Youth Ministry

Kathy Haupt joined the New Heights staff as Youth Minister in the summer of 1999. She was formerly a Youth Minister at Congaree Baptist Church, and in addition to leading NHC Youth, she also teaches math at a local Middle School.

Kathy LOVES youth so if you are in 7th - 12th grade and are looking for a fun place to learn about God, grow in your Christian walk and minister to others in Jesus' name... New Heights Youth is the place for YOU!

Waletha Rish

Secretary

Waletha Rish started as part-time secretary at Colonial Heights in 1997. She moved with us during the relocation to New Heights in 1999 and became full-time in January, 2000. If you really want to know what's going on or need information about New Heights, call 772-6000, Monday through Thursday, from 9 AM - 4 PM to talk to her.