Reverend Dr. Reggie Garrett was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the fifth child of Mattie Garrett and the youngest son of Deacon Gabriel Sellers. At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Harris Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Gray Court, South Carolina.

​

He was educated in the Laurens County School System and later attended Furman University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. It was during his time at Furman that Dr. Garrett began his formal ministerial training. As a recipient of the Church-Related Vocations (C.R.V.) Scholarship—now known as Exploration of Vocation and Ministry—he received foundational training in hermeneutics and worship planning. He was also privileged to study under noted theologian, author, and University Chaplain Emeritus, Dr. Jim Pitts. During this time, he served as Director of Music for the university’s weekly chapel services.

His ministerial journey continued through internship experiences, including his service at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina, under the leadership of Dr. Toney Parks. There, he faithfully served in multiple capacities, including Church Administrator, Worship Team Member, Chairman of the Men’s Ministry, Trustee, and Associate Music Director.

​

While serving at Mount Sinai, he met the love of his life, Evangelist Janine Bennett-Garrett, and they were united in marriage in 2000.

​

Dr. Garrett furthered his education by earning a Master’s Degree in Music from Converse University in 2004. He also completed additional ministerial training at Beulah Heights Bible College. He later earned a Master of Ministry Degree in Christian Counseling and a Doctorate in Biblical Exposition from Andersonville Theological Seminary. He is a certified faith-based counselor through the International Institute of Faith-Based Counselors in Beaumont, Texas.

​

In 2005, Dr. Garrett yielded to the call to preach the Gospel. He is licensed and ordained through non-denominational fellowships as well as the Tumbling Shoals Baptist Association in Laurens, South Carolina.

​

Dr. Garrett is deeply committed to community service and outreach. He serves as a volunteer ministry leader with Home with the Heart Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Liberty, South Carolina. He is also an advisor and board member for Covenant Women’s Ministries in Cincinnati, Ohio, which serves women and girls in urban communities. Additionally, he is an active gleaner with the Society of St. Andrew, helping to provide food for the poor and disenfranchised.

​

His leadership extends across numerous organizations. He has served on the Board of the Greer Soup Kitchen and as Board Liaison for STEP (Greer Shelter to Empower People), where he continues to serve as an instructor. He is President of the Black Alumni Council at Furman University and remains actively engaged in both civic and faith-based leadership.

​

Dr. Garrett is a member of the Laurens County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, a member and past Chaplain of the Baptist Ministers’ Fellowship of Greenville and Vicinity, and a member of the NAACP. He has served as past President of the Enoree River Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education and currently serves as 1st Vice Moderator of the Enoree River Baptist Association. He also serves on the Ordination and Catechism Committee of the Association.

​

In addition, he serves as Tri-President of the G.O.A.L. Justice Ministry Executive Council (Greenville Organized for Accountable Leadership), an organization committed to advancing justice and improving the quality of life for citizens throughout Greenville County.

​

In 2015, Dr. Garrett was unanimously elected Pastor of the Historic Jubilee Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina—the oldest African American church in the Upstate, established in 1864 following the Emancipation Proclamation. Under his leadership, the church has experienced significant spiritual growth and increased membership.

​

Today, Historic Jubilee Baptist Church continues to celebrate the liberty found in Christ while striving to be a vibrant, multicultural, and multigenerational congregation. Through visionary leadership and faithful service, Dr. Garrett remains committed to advancing the Kingdom of God and impacting lives for generations to come.