MEET OUR STAFF

JOb Description for Youth Ministry below
 
 
 803-772-1761 Ext. 143

Rev. Jana Creighton

Senior Pastor 
 
Jana Light Creighton grew up right here in Columbia, South Carolina. A child of die-hard Gamecock fans, she spent her childhood years singing the Carolina fight song. However after graduating from Richland Northeast High School, she discovered that her true colors ran orange. In 1999 she graduated as a Clemson University Tiger with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing.
 
As a Registered Nurse, she lived in Savannah, Georgia for two years caring for patients at Memorial Health Hospital serving in both the Oncology and Step Down units. In 2001 she married her college beau, Rusty Creighton and they moved to Denver, Colorado. Two years later, Jana found herself drawn back to Columbia to be near her grandparents and further her nursing experience at Providence Hospital serving in critical care for six years.
 
Jana and Rusty are proud parents of two sons, Finnegan born in 2005 and Sawyer born in 2007. Jana has a love for her family, prayer, and pursues justice for God’s people. She has a passion for music, exercise, and a deep belief in lifelong education. She spends her time away from work sharing Sawyer’s love for sports and reading, Finn’s interest in science and math, and gardening and cooking with Rusty and friends.
 
In 2007, Jana received a call to pursue ministry and attended Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte where she received her Masters of Divinity. Jana remained busy throughout seminary serving as a steering team member, ruling elder, parish nurse and part time youth director at New Kirk Presbyterian Church as well as a parish associate at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.
 
In 2014, Jana was blessed to lead at Saluda Presbyterian Church where she served four years preaching and striving to building bonds between the different denominations and ethnic groups within the community. The opportunities and the support of the people of Saluda Presbyterian provided the growth and experience that have led her to her current role as here at Seven Oaks Presbyterian where she was installed February of 2018.
 
Jana is dedicated to the mission of the PC(USA). She maintains an active role with Trinity Presbytery. She is currently serving as the moderator for the Committee on Preparation for Ministry in Trinity Presbytery where she leads a team guiding seminary students who desire ordination into formal ministry in the church.  Jana has a love for mission and personal relationships expressed in her sermons and ministry as she strives to live into the Shema; ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
 
While also striving to embody the gospel of Matthew, The second great commandment is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’

Dr. Lloyd R. Pilkington

Director of Music Ministry
 
Lloyd and his family joined Seven Oaks in December 1998. In August 2011 he became our Director of Music Ministry. His education includes a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Nyack College, an M.Ed. in Community Counseling from Winthrop University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University. In addition to his work at Seven Oaks, he is currently a full-time Instructor in Psychology at Midlands Technical College. He has worked in private practice as a Counseling Psychologist, and has provided counseling services in both university and hospital settings.
 
Dr. Pilkington and his wife are also the founders of Words-4-Life, a ministry dedicated to bringing God’s Word to God’s people through weekly email devotionals. Lloyd is married to Tina and they have two children, Mark and Nicole.
“It is a joy and privilege to serve as a worship leader with the dedicated and loving people of Seven Oaks. Together we ring and sing for joy!” 

 

 

 
Email
803-772-1761

 

 

Mr. Karl Thompson

Building Superintendent

803-772-1761 Ext. 151

 

 

Mrs. Sharon Watkins

Accompanist
 
803-772-1761

 

Mrs. Sharon Staton

Volunteer Financial Administrator   
 
Email
803-772-1761 Ext. 149

 

Ms. Amy Schwartz

Childcare Coordinator

803-772-1761

PART TIME DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES 

MISSION: To Build Disciples of Christ 
 

Job Title: Part Time Director of Youth Ministries 

Grade Levels: 6th-12th grades

Status: Part Time: up to 12 hours per week 

Compensation: Hourly, $16-20  

Reports to: Pastor as Head of Staff and Christian Education Ministry 

 

Purpose: Our part time director of youth ministries will work as part of the ministry team at Seven Oaks to provide a safe and collaborative environment for youth and their parents to explore theology and God’s call on their lives. Our director will need to have experience in the development of both programs and relationship building opportunities, whether virtual or in person and be enthusiastic about this work. This individual will have a solid understanding and ability to implement Biblical truths and theology as represented by the PCUSA and will work to provide safe environments to teach, discuss, and encourage our youth and parents in their growth and relationships. This person should also be willing and able to work with the pastoral staff in outreach into the community, welcoming the churched, unchurched and de-churched into the youth and larger ministry of Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church. Together, we long to teach and unite our families to the story of God in our midst by walking with Christ. 

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Assist the Christian Education Ministry in planning and coordinating all youth ministries
  • Establish a calendar for all youth activities 
  • Attend Sunday School and Worship Regularly
  • Coordinate seasonal events with creativity that coincide with the Spiritual and church calendars 
  • Plan and attend weekly youth activities to include but not limited to relationship building, theological growth, community service, games, physical recreation activities, camp and          retreats 
  • Develop relationships with parents through regular communication
  • Recruit volunteers for special events
  • Publicize events to the community, coordinating with the Children’s Ministry Team (CMT)
  • Work with ministerial staff for community outreach opportunities

 
 

Skills Desired:  

  • Applicant will have or be obtaining a college degree in line with Christian Education or  
  • Applicant will have experience working with youth for at least 2 years in a church setting or  youth conference environment. 
  • Applicant will have at minimum a basic understanding of technological resources including but not limited to Remind (and other outreach apps), Word Processing and Publications, Zoom, Social Media – including Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, and Instagram. 
  • Applicant will show a firm foundation in their walk with Christ and be able to relay this in understandable ways to all age groups. 
  • Applicant will agree to follow all safety protocols for Covid, Child Safety Implementations, an  annual background check and will facilitate the teaching of these standards to parents and youth volunteers.