Reverend Scott Gilmer, Senior Pastor
I am honored to serve as the pastor of First Clover United Methodist Church. I was born
and raised in Gaffney, South Carolina, and graduated from Gaffney High School in
1994. Sensing a call to ministry early in life, I pursued my education at Wingate
University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in English in 1998.
I continued my theological training at Duke Divinity School, where I received my Master
of Divinity degree in 2001.
As I begin this new appointment at First Clover UMC in 2025, I also mark the start of my
24th year of ministry in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving a variety of congregations:
New Hope/Jonesville UMC in Jonesville (2002–2008)
Gravely Memorial UMC in Spartanburg (2008–2017)
Herbert Memorial UMC in Georgetown (2017–2021)
St. Paul UMC in Ninety Six (2021–2025)
Each church has shaped me in meaningful ways, and I carry with me countless
memories of God’s faithfulness, the strength of community, and the joy of shared
ministry.
My family includes my parents, Ron and Kay, as well as my brother, Ron. I am also a
proud uncle to my niece Lydia and her husband, John, and a great-uncle to their son,
Estil Bryce.
Two scriptures have sustained and guided me throughout my ministry:
“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah
40:31
“Be still and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:10
As I look to the future with hope, I carry a vision for what God can do in and through
First Clover UMC. If we want to see our sanctuary filled with praise, if we long to see
children and youth growing in their faith, if we hope to be a church that is truly a light to
this community, then it will take all of us, together, committed to:
• Praying together for God’s wisdom and direction
• Worshipping together in spirit and truth—not out of habit, but out of holy hunger
• Serving together in outreach and mission, both locally and globally
• Growing together in discipleship, going deeper in God’s Word, and allowing it to
transform us
I believe with all my heart that God is calling us forward—to be a church that commits,
not hesitates; a church that journeys together in Christ-centered connection and
purpose. Let us set our faces forward, just as Jesus did, and walk boldly in faith, love,
and action.
Reverend J. Richard Gibson, Pastor Emeritus
OT 1960, FE 1962, WI: 1958 SLP, RE 2001, SC: 1960 In School, W NC: 1961, NC: 1967, SC: 1962 Grace-North Augusta Min. Ed., W NC: 1966 FE, NC: 1967 FE, SC: 1980 Rock Hill-St. John’s Min. of Educ., 1990 Intentional Growth Center, 1993 Clover, Associate, 1997 First, Clover. Min. of Edu, 2001
Retired. jrgibson@umcsc.org
Shirley Davis, Administrative Assistant & Financial Secretary
I have lived in the Bethany Community of Clover all my life and am a lifelong member of Bethany ARP Church. My three sisters and I were raised in a loving Christian home. I have three children and six grandchildren. My husband, Bob Davis, is deceased. I love to read, listen to music and spend time with my family. I have been blessed by being a part of the staff of First UMC for almost 28 years.
Christine Payseur, Business/Technical Coordinator
I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. I married Chuck Payseur in Dec. 1992 and moved to Clover. I have two children Blake (24 years old) and Randi (20 years). Blake and his girlfriend Katie Hopper have two children Gunner Hopper (6 years old) and Madilyn Reese Payseur (9 months). Randi is attending Winthrop University, studying to me an Elementary Teacher. I love to read, watch NASCAR racing, going to the beach and spending time with family and friends. I have been a member of First UMC for 15 years.
Cathy Allen, BIG/Tweens Coordinator
Cheri King, Director of Music Ministries
Cheri received her B.S. In Music Education from Erskine College, and has studied voice for the past 10 years with professors from the University of Tennessee, Winthrop University, and Erskine College. While at Erskine she performed as both a soloist and a choir member of the Erskine Chamber Choir and toured Scotland and the East coast with the Erskine College Choraliers. Cheri has also performed in productions of “The Mikado”, “Suor Angelica”, “Celebrate Life”, and “Amahl and the Night Visitors”. In 1999, she performed in the opera “Aida” with the Knoxville Opera Company. Cheri has previously served as Music Director at Dacusville United Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church of Clover. She has also served as a children’s choir director at several churches and has created and developed children’s music and drama productions for afterschool programs. Cheri has taught piano and voice for children and adults for the past 10 years. She and her husband served as full time missionaries from 1993-1997. During that time, she helped lead praise and worship music at conferences and events. Cheri is married to Jason and enjoys being a mom to two wonderful children.
Tracie Kite, Sexton
Hope Long, Nursery Care/Coordinator
Jay Oden, Organist
