Leadership

Pastor Josh was called to Highland Park in July of 2019. Josh and his wife Kim have two daughters, Adeline and Millie. Before coming to HPBC, he served as a youth pastor for 11 years in Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  Josh was called to gospel ministry as a freshman in college while attending Auburn University.  He then transferred to the University of Mobile where he obtained his Bachelor degree of Theology with a minor in psychology.  He went on to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry.  Josh also began serving on the Admin team for the Charleston Baptist Association in 2023, and currently serves as the Moderator for the Association.   

Pastor Michael, his wife Caroline, and their two sons Marshall and Walker joined Highland Park October, 2021.  After witnessing Michael's gifts in preaching and teaching, hearing of his desire to serve in ministry, and recognizing the need in our church, we brought him on staff part-time as our Discipleship Pastor in January 2023.  He worked full-time at Summerville Medical Center as an Associate Chaplain/Volunteer Manager.  At the beginning of 2025, God opened the door for Michael to come on staff Full-time at HPBC.  Michael was ordained at Portside Baptist Church in May of 2000, served as an associate pastor of youth from 2005 to 2009, and also served as the Senior Pastor of New Life Baptist Church from 2009 to 2016.  He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion with a minor in business administration from Charleston Southern University, and then completed his Master of Divinity degree in May 2004 from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  

Brendan Kultgen has served with Highland Park since August of 2021. He and his wife Savanna have a heart for youth and a passion for seeing the Gospel go forth to the nations. He is a 2020 graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Global Studies and also completed his Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University in December of 2024. He enjoys cooking, spending time with Savanna, and visiting new places. HPBC is grateful to have Brendan spiritually leading children and youth on a weekly basis.

Kelli came to us from the Charleston Baptist Collegiate Ministry in May of 2021.  She is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet and loves to minister and help others! She keeps the office running in an effective manner, and is always ready and willing to help any way she can. She is a great asset to our ministry.

Will serves Part-Time here at Highland Park as our Worship Minister.   He serves Full-Time at Charleston Southern University, where he is the director of choral activities.  Will, his wife Olivia, and their two children Lucia and Palmer, moved to Charleston September of 2025.  They moved from Ocean Springs Mississippi, where they lived while Will finished up his Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting at the University of Southern Mississippi.  Before that, Will completed his Master of Music Education at the University of North Texas.  Will is an extremely talented musician, a loving husband and father, but most importantly a man who loves Jesus and lives out what it means to be a godly man.  HPBC is thankful that he and his family are a part of what God is doing here in Hanahan! 

Lauren is our new After-school ministry director beginning July 1st, 2024.  She is a Hanahan native and graduated from Hanahan High School in 2008. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Charleston Southern University in 2016.  Lauren, Her husband, Slade, and daughter, Ella Grace, joined Highland Park in April of 2021. She loves spending time with her family, being outside/doing anything active, cooking, and loving on her THREE labrador retrievers (Nelli, Blue, and Dolly).

Ashley worked as a teacher for our after-school ministry before coming on staff with the church in September of 2022.   Ashley loves the Lord and serves regularly with our mission partner Holy City Missions.  If you hear country music blasting as you walk through the church, it's probably Ashley working on a project!

Chris recently retired from the City of Goose Creek fire department after 25 years.  He was in the U.S. Navy for 5 years before that.  Chris, his wife Emily, and their daughter Maddie have been active members at Highland Park for the last decade.   His motto is "Cleanliness is next to godliness" and he loves making sure that our campus is stewarded well!