Associate Pastor for Families
Hi there! My name is Caroline and I am the Associate Pastor for families here at FBC and Chatham Heights Baptist.
The nature of my job is a little different and creative. First Baptist and Chatham Heights Baptist both had a need for a staff person dedicated to children, youth, and families; so, in response to this need, both churches entered into covenant with one another to share my time and energy between the two churches. This type of creativity and cooperation excites me, and I think this way of doing ministry is the future for the small, local church.
The focus of my role is on families who have children ranging from newborns through high school. I am not only here to teach and offer pastoral care to the children and youth, but am also called to care for and be a pastoral presence for the parents/guardians as well! I am excited to share God’s love with the families of the congregation through reading bible stories together, singing, and joining in fellowship with one another!
I am originally from Danville, VA where I spent all 17 years of my childhood! I graduated from Queens University of Charlotte in 2016 with a Bachelors of Arts in Music (primary in voice) and a minor in Religion. I graduated with an MDIV from Wake Forest University School of Divinity in 2023. I was licensed to the Gospel ministry by College Park in Danville, VA in 2020, and have started the process for ordination at College Park!
While in Divinity School, I had the opportunity to serve within a couple of different ministries. In 2022, I completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. In CPE, I worked as a chaplain intern and learned how to offer spiritual care to those who were experiencing crisis. In the summer of 2022, I was the pastoral intern at Williamsburg Baptist Church where I was given the opportunity to preach, lead worship, and offer moments for fellowship and connection. From 2022-2023, I was the music ministry intern at Knollwood Baptist Church. At Knollwood, I learned how to lead and conduct the children, youth, and adult choirs.
The majority of my children’s ministry experience comes from Caroline Furnace Camp and Retreat Center where I worked for a total of 5 summers! From 2017-2018, I served as a summer camp counselor, and in 2019, 2020, and 2023 I served on leadership team; first as the Worship Coordinator, then as Program Director, and finally as staff chaplain. Caroline Furnace is where I truly started to discern a call to ministry and instilled in me a love for teaching kids about God’s love!
I married Andy Taminger on December 16, 2023. Andy and I became friends as camp counselors at Caroline Furnace and started dating a couple years later. Andy is completing his third year at United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, PA and is going through the candidacy process to be a Lutheran pastor.
In my free time I love to make music, paint, and go on quiet walks.
During the week, I will be at First Baptist on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please feel free to email me at caroline@fbcmartinsville.com. I am excited to be apart of this community and am looking forward to meeting you!