Prospective Elder Bios
Michael Gay and Erik Beard have been presented to the church for examination as potential Elders. Don Wilson has been licensed by the church to minister with a view to future Ordination as a pastor. Below you will find background information on all three. Contact Pastor Brian directly with any questions or concerns. On Sunday, August 9th, the congregation will have the opportunity to vote to affirm Michael and Erik as Elders. Once Don has finished a course of training, the congregation will be asked to affirm his ordination as well.
Michael Gay
I have attended church all my life, but trusted Christ as my Savior as a young boy, guided by my mother at home. God used my church, Christian school, and mission trips to soften my heart to attending a Bible college in South Carolina. While in school I met and married my wife and completed degrees in Bible and Pastoral Studies before stepping out in faith to raise support as missionaries to Quebec. My wife's health did not allow us to pursue that call and in the interim I worked a secular job but served in various churches as interim pastor, worship leader, and Sunday School teacher. My day job is president at Siloam Missionaries Homes where we provide missionary care for families through housing and biblical hospitality. But my passion is still church ministry, so I prayed for several years that God would open the door for me to assist a pastor in a local church plant and Growing Faith Church is the answer to that prayer.
My wife and I have three adult children, Emilie, Micah, and Anastasia. Two live in NC and one lives in AZ. I enjoy coffee shops and antique stores and also do laser engraving on natural wood as a small side business. Fun fact - I'm adopted and have connected with my birth family, all of whom are believers and we have a great relationship together with my adopted family.
Erik Beard
I grew up in a small Baptist church where my family attended weekly. I fondly recall Sunday School teachers who invested in my life by sharing the love of God and the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus. Shortly after the death of my brother in 1979, I began to feel the need to accept Jesus as my savior and ask Him into my heart. I made my decision public during a church service in September of 1979 and was baptized in December of 1979. During the late 80's and early 90's, I held many leadership roles in my church, but mostly felt as if I were the typical "Sunday" Christian. I met Michele in 1996 and we were married in 1997. It was not until we began attending Pleasant Garden Baptist Church in 2004 that I truly began to feel God working in my life. At PGBC, I began to understand what a true relationship with God was and what He had truly called me to become a part of. During my time at PGBC, God allowed me to serve in numerous ministries and go to Jamaica on a mission trip. When Pastor Brian announced his calling to plant a church in the Liberty area, I immediately felt God calling me to be a part of it. I have always had a special place in my heart for the area churches and had noticed a need for the gospel to go into the area. Through much prayer and conversation, Michele and I decided to follow God's call and become part of the church plant team. Little did we know that God had a totally different plan for us as it related to my health. I truly believe that it was another teaching moment for both of us. Teaching us to LET GO and LET GOD!!! I feel very blessed to be part of the Growing Faith family and enjoy serving as the facilities coordinator. Michele and I have also hosted a STEM group and hope to do it again soon. In addition to serving at Growing Faith, Michele works as an Accounts Payable Specialist and I as a Fire Marshal. We have two precious "fur babies" (Paisley and Tucker) and I enjoy hunting, cooking for large groups, and tending to my cattle. I consider it an honor to serve at Growing Faith and look forward to seeing what God has in store for HIS CHURCH.
Don Wilson
My call to faith came during a Vacation Bible School. I volunteered for the first time at VBS and served as a travel guide. During this week, I enjoyed pouring into, loving on, teaching, growing, and walking with my group much more than I thought I ever would. I had already started talking to God through prayer before this time. Then during that week, wall after wall after wall fell down. The wall that “I know God”. The wall that “I know who He is in general”. The wall of “sure I am a believer”. Then the question hit—Do I actually believe in God and do I even know Him? From that moment on, my heart grew to seek God and know Him. From that point, my heart and love for children grew through Awana, Upward Basketball, Sunday School, Bible Study Fellowship, and Family Mission Trips. Then the opportunity to continue those connections through Fuge came. During my second year at Fuge, my heart ached for students, their struggles, their lives, and their walk with God. I was drawn to the altar flat on the ground, sobbing, and filled with anger towards the evil one and aching for the day when he will be no more. Today, the aftermath of the evil one is still needing to be dealt with through love, grace, and mercy while pointing everyone to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
My conversion from teacher to pastor came about ten years ago. I felt the call to not only teach, but to pastor in the lives of the children, students, and families of those God put in front of me. I believed that my life was not prepared for that call at that time. As I have learned, it is not up to me to be prepared, but to be obedient to the call of my Father, my God. Here I am, use me.
Going from teacher to pastor has led me to a life blessed with students and families from Pleasant Garden, Greensboro, Burlington, Summerfield, and Liberty. I am blessed to still have relationships with some as they grow into adulthood, marriages, and families of their own. God knows the desires of my heart. He has shown me the meaning and purpose of loving on, teaching, growing with, and pointing others to Him. To God be the glory!!!