Senior Pastor
Riv Temple is the Senior Pastor here at Bear Cove. Riv and Emily have been married for 17 years and they have 4 wonderful children together. Rosie (16), Everett (12), AdaBelle (11) and Tucker (9). They are originally from the small town of “Ninety Six” South Carolina. . Riv has spent time in youth ministry for several churches in his home area, but more recently he pastored Jacksonboro Baptist church in the Lowcountry of South Carolina in Colleton County from 2017-2022. Living there he served as the associational missionary for Colleton County as well. Riv is a current student of Charleston Southern and upon graduation will be attending one of our Southern Baptist Seminary’s. He enjoys the outdoors with his family while hunting, fishing, or golfing.
Frank Derrick
Associate Pastor
Frank is our Associate Pastor. He leads our missions, discipleship, and family ministries. Frank is a Florida native and moved to Sparta in 2017. He earned a Bachelors degree from the University of Florida in 1980 and a Masters in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1985. Frank has served in six different churches over 30 years of ministry as a student pastor, church planter, and associate pastor. He and his wife Connie have been married for 36 years; they have four adult children and spouses and seven grandchildren.
Frank is passionate about the Lord, his family, his grandkids, supporting his Florida Gators, and hunting. He is also passionate about caring for the hearts of people and seeing Bear Cove committed to discipleship and evangelism.
His life verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Dave McCulley
Music Director
Dave McCulley is our Interim Music Director. Dave is responsible for leading our music and media. He and his wife, Jill, have been married for 18 years and have two daughters, Mackenzie and Taylor. He is a lifelong Sparta resident and also serves on the White County school board.
His life verse is 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Mandy Wilson
Ministry Assistant
Mandy is our Ministry Assistant and has been at Bear Cove since 2014. She helps coordinate and communicate church events, and helps with the daily needs of the church. She is married to Scott Wilson and they have two daughters, Katy and Kayla.
Her life verse is Romans 6:23