Dr. Charles “Buddy” Parrish
 

Dr. Parrish most recently served as senior pastor to Green Acres Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia.  He preached his last sermon there in October feeling God calling him to leave after almost ten years of ministering to the Athens area church. He set up a transition team to ease the congregation in preparation of his last Sunday with them. By God’s divine hand, an interim preaching position in Minnesota, which was lined up for that month, fell through due to miscommunication by the national placement firm that was assisting him. God, through providential circumstances, allowed the PSMAT to become aware of Dr. Parrish and his past ministry experiences. During his time at Green Acres he worked with the congregation to build attendance after a difficult church split. By prayerfully seeking what God wanted at every point, the church was able to rebuild its staff from nothing, reverse its decline, set itself on solid financial ground, and dramatically expand its ministry in the community. Dr. Parrish will lead Sweetwater in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and will direct us to depend on the leadership of the Holy Spirit through prayer. He is a mature believer and experienced senior pastor who is wise in shepherding the flock. Dr. Parrish humbly preaches the Word of God with illustrations and application. He is a good listener who is compassionate, relatable, and personable.  Dr. Parrish wants to better equip us to accomplish God’s work and purposes as well as prepare the next generation to lead and grow the church in a new and changing culture. His pastor’s heart longs to share with the unsaved how to find real life and freedom in Christ. Dr. Parrish is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Masters of Divinity 1983) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry 1993). Raised in Gainesville, Florida, he is a 1980 University of Florida graduate. In Gainesville, he met his wife, Kathy.  Kathy is also a native Floridian who graduated from UF with a B.S. in Health Education and went on to Mercer for her nursing degree. She has worked in various nursing positions and has a warm, servant’s heart.  They have two adult children and two grandsons.

 
Email: buddy.parrish@fbsweetwater.org
Church Office: 407-862-3893