|
Life Verse"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)
Biographical DataDate of Birth: May 3, 1982
Place of Birth: Charlotte, NC Marital Status: Married to the former Ashley Vellers of Mount Holly, NC Wedding Anniversary: July 7, 2012 Children: Liam (age 5) Ordination: March 2008 Church of Ordination: First Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC (SBC) |
Education
2015 MBA Finance, Regent University
2008 MDIV, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
2004 BS Bible / Pastoral Studies, Tennessee Temple University
2008 MDIV, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
2004 BS Bible / Pastoral Studies, Tennessee Temple University
Ministry Experience
April 2024 - Present Lead Pastor, Town Creek Baptist Church, Leland, NC (SBC) (100 attendance in-person, 130 online)
March 2023 - March 2024 Lead Pastor (in transition), The Journey Church, Boca Raton, FL (SBC)
(350 attendance: 200 in-person, 150 online)
(350 attendance: 200 in-person, 150 online)
- Provide executive-level leadership for both the NYC (900 attendance) and Boca campuses with the Founding Pastor and two other Lead Pastors
- Foster 30% growth in worship attendance, 15% growth in new believers, baptisms, and groups
- Work with the Teaching Team to plan the annual preaching calendar and write weekly messages
- Teach or co-teach the message in two weekly Sunday AM services twice per month
- Manage three full-time and one part-time staff and dozens of key volunteer leaders
- Lead the church’s overall evangelism program including community outreach events, advertising
- Work with the Creative Team to design meaningful in-person and online weekly worship experiences
- Oversee the Assimilation Process bringing first-time guests into full membership of the church
- Promote and consult on six-figure and seven-figure capital campaigns for both campuses
- Minister to individuals and families in crisis through prayer and counseling
October 2016 - March 2023 Lead Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC (SBC)
Grew from 30 to 65 people before Covid
Grew from 30 to 65 people before Covid
- Created, produced a full-scale Church Online experience during and continuing past the pandemic
- Implemented a churchwide outreach program including servant evangelism and advertising
- Built an active youth group of 19 and kids ministry of 25 from scratch
- Created, promoted, led community outreach events that grew from 150 to 450 in attendance
- Grew annual VBS ministry from 12 to over 100 in under two years
- Served as Head of Staff for both full-time and part-time staff members
- Cast and implemented vision for a $2 Million relocation strategy
May 2008 - April 2012 Lead Pastor, First Baptist Church, Stanley, NC (SBC)
- Provided strategic, visionary leadership to a church of 620 members, 200 in worship, $2.4 million in assets, a $600K annual budget, 30 employees (9 direct reports), and a four-star Child Care Center with 70 enrolled.
- Baptized 25 new converts and built a prospective member database of 300
- Introduced 80 volunteers to servant evangelism
- Increased first-time guests, returning guest percentages, and membership rate
- Created a Student Worship Arts Team and recruited volunteer leadership for this ministry
- Introduced a semester-based groups ministry with record participation
- Paid off 30% of inherited debt, paying 16% over minimum required
- Saw 3-4% annual increases in undesignated contributions
- Led and Co-led evangelistic and construction mission trips to Puerto Rico and New York City
Salvation Testimony
I was blessed to grow up in a home with two believing parents who were key volunteers in our megachurch of 5,000 members. When I was 8 years old, although I had heard the Gospel message many times, I had questions following a Sunday evening worship service. I knew that it was not enough to know about God and even to know the Gospel. I had to receive Christ for myself. I knew that I had never dealt with my sin, and despite our involvement in church, if I did not believe in Jesus for myself, I would spend eternity in hell. That night, my parents led me to Christ by my bedside. I was baptized at Northside Baptist in Charlotte, NC.
Call to Ministry
Having studied violin lessons from age 2 and piano lessons from age 5, I was preparing for a professional career in music. God had other plans. One evening as I was doing my devotions, 2 Timothy 4:2 jumped off the page to me. “Preach the Word.” I knew and sensed a definite call that preaching the Word was what I was supposed to do with my life. I wrestled with this call for some time after it came but finally surrendered. God has confirmed this call throughout my life. I echo the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”
Philosophy of Ministry
A healthy church will grow. The key to church growth is identifying and removing barriers to this natural growth. At each stage of church size, unique kinds of growth barriers must be overcome. Also, growing churches are led by growing pastors, so the need for professional development is ongoing.
Believers are called - not to make decisions - but to make disciples. Our job is not done simply when a person becomes a follower of Jesus. We must then baptize them and then teach them. The model of our Lord was to invest in a handful of men whom He would send out to go turn the world upside down. Life-upon-life discipleship and duplicating ourselves (2 Timothy 2:2) is a keystone of Great Commission ministry. Every individual church has a global mission. As we sow and water the seed of the Word of God, the Lord Himself will give in the increase.
God honors the faithful exposition of His Word. When the preacher declares the whole counsel of God, God will give the increase.
Believers are called - not to make decisions - but to make disciples. Our job is not done simply when a person becomes a follower of Jesus. We must then baptize them and then teach them. The model of our Lord was to invest in a handful of men whom He would send out to go turn the world upside down. Life-upon-life discipleship and duplicating ourselves (2 Timothy 2:2) is a keystone of Great Commission ministry. Every individual church has a global mission. As we sow and water the seed of the Word of God, the Lord Himself will give in the increase.
God honors the faithful exposition of His Word. When the preacher declares the whole counsel of God, God will give the increase.
Authored Works
There Is Always Hope (2023)
Created: One Simple Truth that Changes Everything (2022)
Christianity Head to Toe (coming 2024)
Surprise: Finding God's Purpose in the Surprises of Life (coming 2024)
Created: One Simple Truth that Changes Everything (2022)
Christianity Head to Toe (coming 2024)
Surprise: Finding God's Purpose in the Surprises of Life (coming 2024)
References
A complete list of personal and professional references is available upon request.