Cliff was born again in 1971, and Sherry was born again shortly thereafter.
In 1973 they moved to Greenville, SC. Cliff graduated from Bob Jones University and was ordained to the ministry in 1977 at their home church Southside Baptist. While at Southside they were grounded in a strong couple and family emphasis by Dr. Walt Hanford the lead pastor. Sherry was mentored by his wife Libby Rice Handford, the daughter of John Rice the editor of the publication The Sword of the Lord.

Once ordained, Cliff and his family went to New England as a church planter and founded Community Baptist Church in Rochester, New Hampshire. The emphasis of CBC was evangelism, missions, and discipleship. The services were broadcast live each Sunday for two years on the local cable station. Missionaries were supported by the church on nearly every continent of the world. The annual missions conference was the main event on our church calendar. Several young people trained and went out from the church to serve on various mission fields. When we left in 1988, the church was fully self-supported and debt free. It recently celebrated its 48th anniversary.

After 11 years of ministry at CBC, Cliff and Sherry moved to Rocky Mount, NC to be nearer family. 

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Cliff and Sherry now reside in Summerfield and for the last thirteen years have served the Lord at Lawndale Baptist Church where Cliff teaches Bible study classes and is Pastor of the Senior Adults. Sherry teaches in the children’s ministries. They have 2 daughters, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.