Pastor Benj Melton, Senior Pastor

Pastor Benj was raised on the mission field in Japan, where he accepted Christ as his Savior as a young boy one night after family devotions. The goal of his ministry is to encourage believers in developing a daily renewed passion to live for God so that they will make wise decisions, and equipping them with the tools they need to be effective witnesses for God. He holds a BA in Cross-Cultural Service, an MA in Biblical Counseling, and is working towards his Master of Divinity. He previously ministered as a Youth Pastor in Spartanburg, SC for 4 years before becoming Pastor of Calvary in November, 2024. He is married to his lovely wife, Kate, and they have two daughters.

Pastor Jim Owens, Minister of Outreach and Evangelism

Pastor Jim was saved in January 1974 during his junior year of college.  His preaching career started three months later when he got permission to open up the old, unused chapel and began holding services. He was appointed the chaplain his senior year. 

After marrying his lovely wife, Kathy, on May 31, 1975, his first paid ministry was as waterfront director at  Camp Bayouca in NY. He then was the youth director at First Baptist in Randolph, NY.  He then moved to Grand Rapids and got his Master’s of Divinity. He did pulpit supply, interim pastorates, and conference preaching. After graduation, he pastored Belmont Baptist Church near Grand Rapids, MI, then moved to Murray, KY to work on his doctorate, and served as Minister of Evangelism at Eastwood Baptist Church. He then returned back to Cortland, NY where he served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Harford, NY for 24 years. He moved to Cheraw in February 2022, served as interim pastor for a time, and became Minister of Outreach and Evangelism in May 2025.