Personnel & Staff

Fair Play Presbyterian Church
201 Church St., 
Box 191, Fair Play, SC 29643
Telephone 864-972-5958
   

Debbie Foster, Stated Suply

Debbie began serving at Fair Play church in October of 2008 and our congregation has blossomed under her guidance.  She has lived in the upstate since 1985 when she moved here from North Carolina to take a position as Director of Activities and Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Anderson, SC.  Debbie is active in working with various community organizations and with several of the committees of our presbytery.  She was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, but spent most of her time growing up in Charlotte, NC.  Debbie has a degree in music and Christian education from Presbyterian College, and a Masters in Christian Education and Masters of Divinity from Erskine Seminary.  Her husband Traverse is a realtor with Common Wealth Realty in Anderson. They have three children.  Debbie is also Certified Coach and principle of South Atlantic Coaching where she coaches a variety of clients and groups from teens, adults, ministers, and church leaders. Debbie says, “God has blessed me with the ability and desire to listen to people, guide them in discernment, and empower them to recognize and celebrate the gifts and resources in their midst.”  We have certainly seen the fruits of this at Fair Play.

Nick Gambrell, Pianist is an itinerant missionary of sorts. His previous career was a museum director and curator but he decided to see and "take over the world for Christ." Oakway, South Carolina has been Nick's home since birth and he studied history and music at Appalachian State University in North Carolina and then received a Masters in History from Clemson University. After teaching as an adjunct instructor at several local colleges and universities, Nick worked at the Oconee Heritage Center for many years. About 5 years ago, God rerouted his planned journey in life and he joined Youth With a Mission. Following this training, Nick started a ministry called Barnabas X which serves to "encourage and bless other missionaries and ministries throughout the world." Nick lives in a small, two-room cabin in the woods with his buddy dog, Churchill. For more information about Nick and Barnabas X, check out his personal blog www.oakwaysc.com or the ministry website www.barnabasx.org.

Ola Coombs, Music Director, and her husband R.E. were both born in North Carolina, but lived in Florida for many years where Ola was busy directing choirs and leading the music at their church.  They moved to the Upstate in 1978, and since then Ola has been involved with the leadership of the music at Fair Play Presbyterian Church.  Ola plays the organ and piano, and directs the choir.  She also runs a quilt shop in Lavonia, GA where she teaches quilting.  She designed the quilt square that is installed at Fair Play church as a stop on the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail.

Fair Play Presbyterian Church
201 Church St., 
Box 191, Fair Play, SC 29643
Telephone 864-972-5958
Church Office fairplaypresb@juno.com