Steve Marshall - Pastor
Steve has been married for thirty-three years to his wife, Stacey, who he met in Hampstead in 1988 two weeks before she graduated from Topsail High School. They both attended and graduated from North Carolina State University and pursued careers in environmental research and development. After several years of working in R&D, the Lord clearly moved them into full-time ministry with youth and families in their local church. Ministry to youth and families became their heart and they served with delight in that area of ministry for twenty-two years, especially working with children and families in crisis.
Steve and Stacey have one daughter, Ashlyn, a son-in-law, Ben, and two grandchildren, Luke and Caleb. For the first twelve years, Steve served as a youth and missions pastor in Rocky Mount, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC. The Lord moved them from there to rural Illinois to help start a ranch for at-risk teenagers and to start a ministry called Safe Families for Children out of Chicago, which helps at-risk children and their parents. At Salem Ranch they lived with thirty boys, seventy horses, nine dogs and many cats (mice control) on one hundred acres of ranch land. The goal was to offer young men a place to escape the problems of home and get a new start in Christ while finishing their high school education and learning vocational skills.
Steve and Stacey returned to Hampstead in 2009 to begin the process of planting a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church. From the day that GCT was planted in Hampstead in January of 2011, Steve was primarily a bi-vocational pastor (2011-2017). While planting the church for the first six years, Steve owned his own auto-body shop specializing in paintless dent repair while also serving as the NC State Director for the establishment of Safe Families for Children in NC.
Since late 2017, Steve has been full-time pastor. His desire is that the Church would return to the forefront of caring for the most vulnerable people in our communities with the gospel that renews, recovers and regenerates those in crisis for lasting life change.
Steve has his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and his Master of Divinity and Doctorate in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
Steve and Stacey have one daughter, Ashlyn, a son-in-law, Ben, and two grandchildren, Luke and Caleb. For the first twelve years, Steve served as a youth and missions pastor in Rocky Mount, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC. The Lord moved them from there to rural Illinois to help start a ranch for at-risk teenagers and to start a ministry called Safe Families for Children out of Chicago, which helps at-risk children and their parents. At Salem Ranch they lived with thirty boys, seventy horses, nine dogs and many cats (mice control) on one hundred acres of ranch land. The goal was to offer young men a place to escape the problems of home and get a new start in Christ while finishing their high school education and learning vocational skills.
Steve and Stacey returned to Hampstead in 2009 to begin the process of planting a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church. From the day that GCT was planted in Hampstead in January of 2011, Steve was primarily a bi-vocational pastor (2011-2017). While planting the church for the first six years, Steve owned his own auto-body shop specializing in paintless dent repair while also serving as the NC State Director for the establishment of Safe Families for Children in NC.
Since late 2017, Steve has been full-time pastor. His desire is that the Church would return to the forefront of caring for the most vulnerable people in our communities with the gospel that renews, recovers and regenerates those in crisis for lasting life change.
Steve has his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and his Master of Divinity and Doctorate in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
Kyle mills - Associate Pastor
Kyle and Joy were married in 2008, and currently have 3 children – Isaiah, Orrin, and Maya. After getting out from the Marine Corps in 2012, Kyle went to Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC to get his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
In March of 2017, they relocated to Hampstead, NC where they joined GCT. During this time, Kyle was working in residential construction as a carpenter, and soon started his own carpentry business; in addition, both Kyle and Joy were active in various ministries at GCT, and Kyle led the worship ministry.
In October 2020, the church body affirmed Kyle as a full-time Associate Pastor and Worship Leader. Kyle and Joy both have a strong love for local church ministry and a passion to see Jesus exalted in believers’ lives through genuine Gospel community.
In March of 2017, they relocated to Hampstead, NC where they joined GCT. During this time, Kyle was working in residential construction as a carpenter, and soon started his own carpentry business; in addition, both Kyle and Joy were active in various ministries at GCT, and Kyle led the worship ministry.
In October 2020, the church body affirmed Kyle as a full-time Associate Pastor and Worship Leader. Kyle and Joy both have a strong love for local church ministry and a passion to see Jesus exalted in believers’ lives through genuine Gospel community.
Warren Rich - Elder of Missions
Warren, with his wife Miriam, spent 25 years in Kenya as a missionary dentist with Africa Inland Mission. They have 6 children, 5 of which have started their careers and families. Their youngest Rebekah Hope is presently in 11th grade.
Warren previously practiced dentistry in his own practice in Hampstead, but after selling his practice, he continued dentistry work part time until he retired in 2023. Since "retiring", Warren continues to practice dentistry on an on-call basis in the surrounding Wilmington area.
Warren oversees church Missions, teaches men’s Bible study, leads a Grace Group, and is the director for the Colson Fellows Church Affiliate at GCT.
They have been active at GCT since joining in 2018. Their passion is to see people mature in their walk with Jesus.
Warren previously practiced dentistry in his own practice in Hampstead, but after selling his practice, he continued dentistry work part time until he retired in 2023. Since "retiring", Warren continues to practice dentistry on an on-call basis in the surrounding Wilmington area.
Warren oversees church Missions, teaches men’s Bible study, leads a Grace Group, and is the director for the Colson Fellows Church Affiliate at GCT.
They have been active at GCT since joining in 2018. Their passion is to see people mature in their walk with Jesus.
jay lyons - Elder of Hospitality & Assimilation
Jay is originally from West Virginia and moved to Wilmington, NC in 2010 after graduating from Alderson-Broaddus College with a major in Physician Assistant studies. He met his wife, Jamie, in PA school and they were married in 2011. They have two daughters, McKinley and Caroline. Jay currently works as a family medicine PA-C at Wilmington Health in Hampstead.
He and his family became members of GCT in 2019. Jay and Jamie are involved in the Children's Ministry as teachers and Jay is active in Men's Bible Study, Set-Up and Safety Teams, and he leads a Grace Group.
Jay and Jamie are passionate about sharing the gospel, encouraging others in their walk with Christ, and showing the love of Christ to all.
He and his family became members of GCT in 2019. Jay and Jamie are involved in the Children's Ministry as teachers and Jay is active in Men's Bible Study, Set-Up and Safety Teams, and he leads a Grace Group.
Jay and Jamie are passionate about sharing the gospel, encouraging others in their walk with Christ, and showing the love of Christ to all.
Bob Highet - Elder of Grace Groups & Discipleship
Bob is originally from Scotland and moved to South Africa at age 28. He spent 18 years in Johannesburg and while there he attended The Baptist Theological Seminary of Southern Africa for four years. Bob graduated with a Licentiate in Theology in 1997. He moved to the USA (North Carolina) in 2000. Bob is self employed as a graphic designer and he is married to Necey, a retired public school educator.
Bob and Necey moved to Hampstead in 2020. They have been members of GCT for almost three years, and are currently involved in various discipleship ministries within the church.
Bob has a heart for teaching, small group ministry, and discipling other believers.
Bob and Necey moved to Hampstead in 2020. They have been members of GCT for almost three years, and are currently involved in various discipleship ministries within the church.
Bob has a heart for teaching, small group ministry, and discipling other believers.