Staff

Rev. Andy Newell
Senior Pastor
andy@growingnewlives.org

Andy spent his childhood growing up outside of Louisville, KY where he came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of the proclamation of the gospel as recorded in John 15:5. He moved to Charleston, SC in the fall of 1989 to attend The Citadel. After graduating in 1993, Andy began his ministry as a summer youth intern in Sumter, SC. While in Sumter, Andy met his wife, Kim, whom he married in the fall of 1995. Andy and Kim attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC from 1997 – 2000. After graduating with his Masters of Divinity, Andy received a call to become the solo pastor of New Philadelphia PCA Church in Quincy, FL.

He and Kim spent seven years ministering in Quincy, where they were blessed with three children: Murray, Caleb, and Anna Grace. In June 2007, Andy received a call to become the Assistant Pastor to Families, Youth, and Children at Trinity PCA Church in Orangeburg, SC. During his ministry there, Andy felt the call to pursue Church Planting as a ministry opportunity. Following his and Kim’s completion of the Church Planter’s Assessment Center in Atlanta, GA, Andy was introduced to the ministry at Covenant Community Church. By the grace of God and in His providence, Andy was called to become the Senior Pastor of CCC in April of 2010. He was installed on May 16, 2010.

As an under-shepherd of Jesus Christ, Andy is privileged to join God in what He is doing in and through the ministry of CCC as God advances His kingdom through the transformational power of His gospel.

Frances Whitten
Administrative Assistant

Frances was born and lived in South Georgia during her childhood years. During a revival at Ty Ty Baptist Church when she was 9 years old she accepted Christ as her Savior.

She graduated from Sylvester High School and married Emmett B Whitten in 1960. They had 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. They moved to Perry Georgia in 1962. Frances joined Perry Presbyterian Church in Perry, GA in 1975. She helped with the Coffee House for youth; was active in the WIC Bible Study Group and the Hall Schenck SS class. All 3 children attended the youth activities and sang in the Children of the King group.

After her children were in school she worked as Teachers aide in an elementary school; Office manager at a farmers exchange supply chain; sales clerk in a hardware store; and 22 years in banking.

Her husband died September 15, 2003 after a 6 year battle with cancer. In February of 2004 her mother Ruth Cox had a heart attack and had to move in with Frances. In May, 2005 Frances took early retirement to take care of her mother and moved to Salley, SC to be near her daughter and family. In April, 2007 Jim Harvey and Chuck Parker interviewed Frances for the part-time position of Secretary for Covenant Community Church. The Lord is good and she has been part of the CCC family ever since. “I love my work. It is very fulfilling to be a part of a body of believers who care so much for each other and the Lord’s work.

Beck Chandler
Director of Music Ministries

Beck Chandler was born and raised in Greenville, SC. He came to know the Lord, growing up at Monaghan Baptist Church where his grandmother was the founder and director of the Children’s Church. He also attended Christ Church Episcopal School for grades 1-12. In 2009, he was baptized at Christ Church at Greenville, and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He moved to Columbia to attend USC, graduating in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Music Composition.

Beck teaches piano, voice, violin, bass, drum, and guitar lessons at Lexington School of Music as well as in his private studio. After serving as pianist for two years at Northside Baptist from 2020-2022, he is proud to be the Director of Music Ministries at Covenant Community Church.