Pastor
Ben was appointed to First United Methodist Church in June of 2005.
He is married to the Rev. Dr. Dora Rogers Gafford, who is the pastor of Bennettsville's Christ and Antioch United Methodist Churches. They have two daughters, Reagan Elizabeth Gafford Cannon of Hartsville, S.C., and Lindsey Ruth Gafford of Charleston, S.C.
Ben grew up in Snyder, Texas, where he graduated from Snyder High School in 1969. He graduated from McMurry University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1976 with a Master of Divinity degree. In May of 2006, Ben earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation.
He is an ordained elder of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and has served several United Methodist churches since 1976.
As a member of the National Storytelling Association, Ben enjoys storytelling and using stories in his preaching ministry. First United Methodist Church is delighted to have Dr. Gafford as pastor of our church, and you are cordially invited to attend our worship services to hear his preaching ministry.