As a church, we seek to follow God’s design for his churches to be led by a team of men in the role of elders (i.e., pastors), and supported by deacons. The qualifications for these roles are detailed in particular in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5.

Under this leadership structure, God intends for his church to thrive, as each believer uses their gifts to do the work God has given them, so that the whole church can grow into spiritual maturity.

Vance came to know Jesus Christ at a young age. As an adult, God moved on his heart to love God’s church and to serve the local church however he could. Vance, his wife Terri, and their children became part of Gulf Coast Community Church in St. Pete in 2009 and hosted the Brandon church plant in their home in 2016. Vance works full-time as an Associate Professor of plant breeding and genetics at the University of Florida while also serving the church as an elder.

The Lord called Eric in his teen years to salvation in Christ, according to the purpose of His will. By grace alone, God continues to sanctify Eric in love for and obedience to Christ. Eric has served as a layperson in multiple churches before retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2014. Eric and his wife Jackie moved to Florida and became a part of Gulf Coast Community Church of Brandon in 2016. Eric and Jackie have been married since 1989 and have three adult children.

As a 17-year old, Graham wanted to travel the world, saving endangered primates in Asia and Africa. Yet God in His great grace had other plans! In His kindness, God made a way for both veterinary study (graduating from the University of Edinburgh, in 2006) and theological study (graduating as BD from the University of Aberdeen, 2010; MTh from the University of Aberdeen, 2015). Graham now has the privilege of serving the family of GCCCB! Graham and his wonderful wife, Tineke, moved with their children from Scotland to join GCCCB in 2023.

Terri put her faith in Jesus Christ when she was a little girl, and the local church has been integral to her life ever since. She has served on church worship teams since the age of 16. She met her husband Vance at NC State University–it was friendship at first sight. Terri has been busy educating their three children since 2012. She and her family have been part of Gulf Coast Brandon since its inception.

As a teenager, Zac was called to faith in Christ for salvation, through Grace alone. The Lord has since lovingly helped refine his faith into adulthood. Zac, with his wife Sarah, became part of Gulf Coast Community Church of St. Pete in 2010 and after relocating to the area joined the Brandon Church (now Hope Family Church) in summer of 2016. During this time they were blessed with their son, Collin. Zac works with a North American steel manufacturer based out of Tampa, while serving the church as a deacon.

Trisha was called of God at a young age, but life was hard growing up. Sin and the pull of worldly pleasures tried to sway her faith. In the Lord’s great mercy, He would not let her get comfortable apart from Him. At the age of 19, she was baptized and her life turned towards the things of the Lord. While at Bob Jones University studying Biblical counseling, she met Stephen and they now have 3 wonderful boys. Stephen and Trisha are passionate for the children of the church and that they’d grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Luan came to Christ from a Buddhist background. In his early teens God opened his eyes and enabled him to behold the glory of Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of the world. He has served in vocational ministry since 1997 in Minnesota, Massachusetts, Florida, and now Vietnam where he serves on staff at the Hanoi Bible College. He is a graduate of Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN (M.Div., 2002). Luan has been blessed to be married to his amazing wife Teresa since 1997 and has two adult children.