Chad Nelms
I grew up in Anderson, SC where, like most kids, played sports growing up and very rarely attended church. I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to play college baseball at Anderson University from 1993-1995 where we won the 1994 NCCAA National Championship. I graduated Anderson University in 1995 and in 2004 I graduated from Clemson University with my Master’s in Human Resource Development. I have been working at Anderson University since 1998 first in the Admissions office and for the last eight years in the Alumni Office. In March 2000 I married Kim Lollis and moved to Williamston, SC. In 2003 we welcomed Avery and in 2009 Anna. I have loved being a father and husband to my family and do my best to provide the love and support they deserve. I have coached Avery in T-ball and soccer (which was a real stretch for me). Now I’m getting the opportunity to coach Anna in T-ball and get to participate in Avery’s new adventure, running cross-country with Palmetto High School. For Kim and I, it’s all about being “there” for our children and each other. We go to extraordinary lengths to make sure our children grow up in a Christian home where everyone is loved and respected. But, they know we are their parents and not necessarily their best friend, at times. It’s amazing what God has done in my life in the last six years. At age 36 I finally had a home church that accepted me as I “was” and in August 2009 Kim, Avery and I got baptized together. Since then my relationship with Jesus has gotten stronger and the things that HE has done, put in my life amaze me. I have messed up and still do but that goodness for HIS Grace and Mercy. The last 4-5 years I’ve had the opportunity to bring a Golden Harvest-Manna truck to Calvary Baptist Church to help feed the needy. Each year we feed over 120 families in our community through this program we set-up through our local Interfaith Ministries. All this is in addition to our local food pantry that is run and maintained by a member of our congregation. It’s not about me! I have been blessed to be able to teach a Men’s Sunday School class, lead a small group of high school guys, attend children’s camp, participate in the golden harvest, coach numerous sports and be recently elected as a deacon. As is states in the Bible, faith without works is dead.
