Staff

Rev. Dr. Brett M. Pardue

Senior Minister

Rev. Dr. Brett McKinley Pardue is a contemplative pastor, called to the slow and steady work of grace.

His theological training includes studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and Duke University’s Baptist House of Studies, alongside deeper immersion in Hebrew and biblical hermeneutics through Yale Divinity School and the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies.

As Senior Minister, Dr. Pardue’s greatest joy is authentic worship of the living God. He believes the pulpit is not a platform but a threshold, where Christ meets His people and word takes on flesh.

Brett is married to the love of his life, Allison, whose faith and strength inspire him daily. Together, they have one “child” named Piper—their small but mighty Pomeranian.

Email Brett

bpardue@oxfordbc.org

Mark Hopper

Minister of Music AND ORGANIST

Mark Hopper completed undergraduate studies in music education at Mars Hill College, and graduate work in church music and organ performance at Samford University.  Mark works to passionately fulfill his calling of equipping lifelong worshipers across the entire age spectrum of the Oxford Baptist congregation.  Mark and his wife Sharon have three children and live in Henderson, where Mark also serves as Executive and Artistic Director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.

Email Mark

mhopper@oxfordbc.org

Debbie Pittard

WEE School Director

Debbie is the Director of our WEE School (Weekday Early Education) Program here at OBC and has served in that role since 2008.  She grew up in the Lake Norman area and graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Human Development and Learning. Debbie is also very active in other children’s activities within the church, such as Bible School and Kids on Mission.

Email Debbie

obcwee@gmail.com

Ginna Van Zandt

DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES

Ginna Van Zandt was raised at Oxford Baptist Church before going to Wake Forest University where she studied Elementary Education. She met and married, Tyler, just after graduation and they traveled across the United States with the Army for 15 years. While they were away from Oxford she volunteered in a variety of capacities in many churches.

In 2023, Ginna felt the call to accept the Director of Family Ministries position at Oxford Baptist and looks forward to creating relationships with the children and youth of our congregation while loving the families they come from well. Many years from now, she hopes that her time at OBC will be looked upon as one that fostered community within the church, invited others to join our church family, and demonstrated a visible love for our larger community. 

Ginna and her husband, Tyler, have three daughters and an energetic chocolate lab.

Email GINNA

gvanzandt@oxfordbc.org

Marlene Seamster

Financial Secretary/Office Manager

Marlene Seamster is a graduate of Halifax County High School, Danville Community College, and Averett University.  She has one daughter, Allison.  Marlene loves her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and faithfully attends Union Christian Church in Virgilina, VA, where she joyfully serves as the pianist. She considers it an honor and a blessing to serve as Financial Secretary at Oxford Baptist Church.

Email Marlene

mseamster@oxfordbc.org

Martha Hight

Music Ministry Assistant

Martha is our Music Ministry Assistant. She came to work at OBC in December, 2017 after retiring from the Granville County Public Schools. Martha grew up in Stovall and attended school in Granville County. She is a graduate of N.C. State University and says “coming to work each day at OBC is not a job; it’s a blessing.”

Email Martha

mhight@oxfordbc.org

Peggy Hart

Church Secretary/Receptionist

Peggy came onboard to OBC in June of 2022, with many years of customer service experience, after retiring from Granville County Public Schools. She grew up in Granville County and says coming to OBC is a real blessing!! She can be reached in the church office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Peggy is married to Ricky Hart, and they have six grandchildren.

Email Peggy

phart@oxfordbc.org

Steve Perkins

Facilities Manager

Steve Perkins, though already a member, began employment with Oxford Baptist Church in 2017. He is a Granvile County native, husband, and father. He enjoys his position as Facilities Manager which includes the challenges of maintaining the many aging aspects of the historical structure and incorporating modern technology to meet the Church’s growing needs.

Email Steve

sperkins@oxfordbc.org