OUR STAFF

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JOHN SORRELLS

John was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at a young age. After many years in coaching/teaching and student ministry, he has spent the last 18 years in pastoral ministry. He as grown fond of “Pastor John” and “Preacher Man” after years of identifying as “Coach Sorrells.” John is married to Tina, who recently retired from elementary education. They enjoy three children, Josh and Dani of Knoxville, TN, Lauren and Croft Griffin of Simpsonville, SC and Dayton and Annabelle of Spartanburg, SC. John and Tina commit their time to six grandchildren who they adore. Dayton and Annabelle have three children, Lillian, Hank and Lottie Rose. Croft and Lauren have three children, Sutton, Grady and Collins. John enjoys time with family, hunting and fishing, and trips to the family farm in Tennessee. At home with John and Tina are two dogs, Brody and Honey, and a cat named Cookie. John’s greatest passion is seeing people come to trust in Jesus Christ unto salvation and helping people grow in their relationship with God. His all-time favorite verse is “Have no anxiety about anything but in all things through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God; and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.

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DAWN ANDERSON

Dawn Anderson serves as the Music and Children’s Director at Rocky Knoll Baptist Church, bringing a lifetime of musical heritage and ministry dedication to her role. Originally from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, Dawn was raised in the Baptist church, where her musical journey began at a young age. By age 11, she was playing the piano

and organ, quickly stepping into leadership to play for all of her home church's services. Dawn pursued her foundational education at Mars Hill College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and a minor in Piano Performance. Combining her professional skills with her calling to ministry, she later earned a Certificate in Worship Leadership from Fruitland Baptist Bible College. This rich background beautifully equips her to lead both the worship ministries and the foundational spiritual growth of the children at Rocky Knoll. Today, Dawn lives in Toccoa, Georgia, with her husband, Pat, and their dog, Toby Lee. Outside of her staff responsibilities, she enjoys investing in the local community, spending time with her family and friends, and continuing to use her musical gifts to honor God. She is deeply passionate about fostering a vibrant worship environment and nurturing the next generation in their faith.

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”

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ABBEY BELLOTTE

As the Director of Student Ministries at Rocky Knoll Baptist Abbey Nichols desires to see students move from attending church to learning to following Christ daily with confidence and purpose. Abbey joins God in this journey by walking alongside students as they navigate faith, identity, and life’s challenges. Outside of ministry, she enjoys hiking, exploring new places and most of all riding her horses. This time allows her to hear from God, rest in His presence and be reminded of her creator God.

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KAREN ROCHESTER

Karen has been at Rocky Knoll since 1966 at which time she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She married her husband, David in 1970. They have a son, Jeffrey and daughter, Joy who went home to be with the Lord in 2005. They also have 2 granddaughters, Adrianna and Mallory and 3 grandsons, Barker, Lee and Warren. Karen has worked at Rocky Knoll since January 1985 and says it is an honor to serve the Lord in this capacity. Proverbs 3:5

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MELISSA VAN HECK

Melissa Van Heck serves as the Administrative Assistant at Rocky Knoll, where she enjoys supporting the ministry and helping create a welcoming environment for our church family and guests. She is passionate about serving others and has a heart for organization, communication, and connecting people with the resources they need. Outside of church, Melissa is also a high school math teacher at Seneca Classical Academy. Melissa married Jason Van Heck in 2007 and they have built a life together in Walhalla. They enjoy spending time cooking, gardening, hiking, and kayaking.