Our Leadership
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Maxwell Michaels
MINISTER
Max is the minister at First Presbyterian Church, beginning in November 2023. He was born and raised in North Carolina and grew up in Belmont. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. After college he went directly into Seminary where he attended Union Presbyterian Seminary. It was
here where he met his wife, Jenny, and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Christian Education and a Masters of Divinity. After Seminary, he began serving as the Resident Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne, IN. Max has years of experience serving as a Youth and Sunday School leader.
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Mary Louise Baker
MUSIC DIRECTOR & ORGANIST / DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Mary Louise Baker (Weiz) holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance with a Minor in Piano Performance from Salem College where she studied with Dr. Jack Mitchener and Ms. Barbara Lister-Sink. At Salem, she was named the A.J. Fletcher Scholar, the highest award for music scholars at the college, and was the recipient of the President’s Prize in 1999. She earned a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and Literature from the University of Notre Dame under the instruction of Dr. Craig Cramer in 2001. At the prestigious music school at Notre Dame, she was awarded a full scholarship, serving as assistant director of the Women’s Choir, Liturgical Choir, and assistant organist for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. She completed further organ studies in Germany and Canada. In 1997 Mrs. Baker was chosen to perform at Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary, Canada, for an audience of over 1200 in the “Organ a la Carte Recital Series." She has served on the panel of judges for the regional hymn-playing contest at Methodist College and performed many recitals throughout the years. In 2003, Mrs. Baker earned her certification in Kindermusik, a musical training program for children. She has many years of experience serving as organist, directing choirs, and teaching music both privately and in schools. Weiz enjoys living in Laurinburg with her husband, Sam, of 24 years, their 4 children, Sadie, Jessie, Sam, and Lainey, and 2 dogs, Benji and Olive.
Danielle Self
CHURCH SECRETARY / FINANCIAL SECRETARY
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James Kendall
CHURCH SEXTON
James is a native of Cheraw, SC. He joined the staff of FPC in 2014. He is a 1969 graduate of Long Jr. High School and worked at the Pepsi Plant for 19 years. James is married to Arnetha. They have one daughter and 3 grandchildren. James loves fishing and traveling. He is a deacon at Word of Life Fellowship Church.
Arnetha Kendall
HOUSEKEEPER
Arnetha is a native of Morven, NC. She joined the staff of FPC in 2014. She is a 1970 graduate of Bowman High School in Wadesboro, NC and worked at Stanley Tools for 4 years. Afterwards she started her own sewing business which lasted 12 years. Arnetha attends Word of Life Fellowship Church, along with her husband, 1 daughter and 3 grandchildren.
​Jennifer Tomberlin
DIRECTOR OF MOTHER'S MORNING OUT PROGRAM
Jennifer has lived in Cheraw all her life. She was an educator for 33 years prior to her retirement in 2024. Most of her career was spent in Early Childhood Education, teaching second grade. For the last 13 years, she was an elementary school counselor for Ruby Elementary and Plainview Elementary. She has had a very fulfilling career in Chesterfield County School District. Her most rewarding adventure in life was becoming a parent and now a grandparent. Jennifer has three children and one precious granddaughter who is 3 years old. They are her world. She is very excited to be a part of this special "Mothers Morning Out" program.
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Eve Nobles
NURSERY ASSISTANT
Eve has had a passion her entire life for working with children. Thanks to the love that her own teachers had for their job and students, Eve knew she wanted a career in educating children before she even finished kindergarten. Growing up, she often spent her time watching out for her younger sister, cousins, and the children at her home church, Faith Fellowship Church, playing with them and learning about how children learn. Eve has taught 3 and 4-year-old preschool classes at St. David's School and First Methodist Church Child Development, and she currently serves as children's librarian at the Matheson Library. A Northeastern Technical College graduate, Eve has plans to further her education in the near future with an online degree in Elementary and Special Education. Eve is also an active volunteer throughout the community, assisting with Theater on the Green productions, the Cheraw Marching Tribe, and various events held in town. In her spare time, Eve spends her time sewing, crafting, singing, and playing piano.
Beth Hough
MOTHER'S MORNING OUT ASSISTANT
​Beth Hough is married to Austin Hough and they have two children, Jenna and Ethan. She graduated from Chesterfield High School, Winthrop University, and Francis Marion University. Her thirty year career with Chesterfield County School District was spent teaching primary grades and then working with the curriculum department at the district office. She spent 16 wonderful years teaching at Cheraw Primary School and Edwards Elementary School. Wonderful students and experiences! She loves children and says they keep life interesting and fun. She enjoys music, art, reading, hiking, biking, gardening, & crafting. Beth says there’s nothing more important than showing God's love to others!
Gini Eddins
MOTHER'S MORNING OUT ASSISTANT
Born in Asheboro, North Carolina, Gini moved to Cheraw when she was 2 ½ years old as her father was part of the B.C. Moore’s work family. She is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She retired from over 30 years of service as an occupational therapist for Chesterfield County School District. Gini is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Cheraw. She is married to Scott and together they have two children, Cameron and Greer, as well as their dog Beau and grand dog Remi.