Kevin Thumpston

Lead Pastor

Kevin just hit the big “5-oH” and is excited about the next 50. Kevin and Andrea have been married longer now than they were apart—twenty-nine years. They have three amazing kids - Andrew (20), Ally (19) and Emma (18). Kevin and Andrea met at the University of South Carolina, where he came to know the Lord out of the fraternity system. He went to Covenant Theological Seminary and has served as a youth pastor, an EM at a Korean Church, planted a couple churches including Watershed Fellowship and oversees church planting for the Palmetto and Pee Dee Presbyteries. Kevin sees the potential in people and longs to see them flourish in the gospel. His book, Questions of the Heart, will be out this summer.

kevint@watershedfellowship.org

Nate Robbins

Assistant Pastor of Equipping Ministries

Nate hails from Vero Beach of the great state of Florida. He graduated from the College of William of Mary in 2012 and shortly thereafter met his lovely wife Emily in the Fellows Program at the Falls Church. He received his Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington DC while serving in Youth Ministry and Adult Education at 4th Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD. 

His main calling at Watershed is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. He loves reading and teaching about the excellencies of Christ in order that his name might be known “to the ends of the Earth.” In his free time, Nate enjoys hiking, playing sports (especially golf and tennis), woodworking and chasing around his dog Nessie. He is thrilled to be in South Carolina and more than willing to listen to your pitch as to whether his allegiance should be to Clemson or USC.

nater@watershedfellowship.org

Matt Middleton

Lead Musician

Matt is a Native to Lexington, SC and he met his wife, Katie, while attending The University of South Carolina in 2007. He Graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors of Arts and started leading worship with Katie at First Baptist of Lexington in the youth ministry. They were married in May 2009 and began attending Calvary Chapel. In 2010, Matt and Katie lead worship when needed in both youth & children's ministries, eventually moving to adult services on Wednesday nights. After having their daughter, Stella in 2012, they felt called to serve deeper and move primarily to serving in music ministry. In August 2014, a dear friend connected them with Watershed Fellowship and Matt came on staff as Worship Leader. Since joining, Matt and Katie also welcomed a son, Amos in 2015.

Along with being staff Worship leader, Matt works at a Fire & Safety company started by his father. In his free time, he writes his own music and enjoys learning new instruments. The night before the Old Mill dam broke in 2015, Matt and Katie released their first three song EP, Not Where I've Been, in Watershed's space. He also leads a Men's Bible study on Tuesday nights in his home. Along with music, Matt enjoys movies (especially quoting them) and spending time with his family.

Katie Middleton

Venue Coordinator

Originally from Marion, SC, Katie met her now husband, Matt, while attending The University of South Carolina in 2007. Shortly after meeting, she graduated with a Bachelors of Arts and began leading youth worship at First Baptist of Lexington with Matt. The two were married in May 2009 and began attending Calvary Chapel. In 2010, they started serving in both youth & children's ministries, as well as leading worship when needed. They welcomed their first child, Stella in 2012 but in 2014, felt called to serve deeper and move primarily to serving in music ministry. In August 2014, they joined the Watershed Fellowship Family as Matt came on staff as Worship Leader. Right after joining, they found out they were expecting their second child and welcomed their son, Amos in 2015.

Katie oversees all venue rentals for members and others within the community. She also serves with the Worship Crew, Children & Youth Crews, Missions Crew and Logistics Crew. When needed, she really enjoys decorating the space as the seasons change or for special events. Katie homeschools both of her children and leads worship a few times a month for their co-op. In her free time, she most loves to look for treasures while thrift store shopping, decorating, exploring new areas around Lexington & Columbia with a strong cup of coffee and spending time with family and friends.

Justin & Stephanie Ickes

Facilities Managers

Justin and Stephanie Ickes, are both originally from Winter Garden, Florida where they have known each other since their Sunday school days, started dating in 2001 and married in September of 2007. They were led to help start up a church plant in Orlando, Florida, New City Church, helping with all the logistics of the church. In 2011 they welcomed their first son Aedan and in 2014 their second son Jackson. Justin was offered a job in Columbia and moved to Lexington in January of 2015. They have been attending Watershed since September of 2016. They welcomed their 3rd son Tanner in 2018. Stephanie serves on the kids crew and they both serve on logistics crew. Their family enjoys playing games, trips to the zoo, going to visit family in Florida and Gator football!