Bert was born on December 20, 1955 and raised in Hartsville, SC.  He married the former Kathy Bunn from Orangeburg, SC on January 6, 1979.  They have two married children, Hugh Welch and Sarah Anne Daley, both of whom reside in Columbia, SC.  He graduated in 1978 from Erskine College with a BA in Behavioral Sciences and Social Work.  He received his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC as well as his Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Ethics & Urban Missions.  Bert is the founding Pastor of Covenant Baptist Church which was established on October 9, 1994.   He enjoys fishing, playing tennis and woodworking as well as vacationing with his family.