Gary Combs - Lead Pastor - [Account] - wilsoncommunitychurch.org@gary
Gary W. Combs, B.A., Radford University; M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, is our lead pastor. Gary was born in Bristol, Tennessee, but grew up in Bristol, Virginia. He was the first of four children. Gary majored in music with an emphasis on classical guitar at Radford University. He was the student president of RU's Campus Crusade for Christ for three years.
Gary married his college sweetheart, Robin Conner, in 1979. He began working for the Jack Eckerd Corporation in 1980. He was the District Manager over the Eastern North Carolina district when he resigned in 1991 to answer God's call to full-time ministry. He finished his seminary work with an emphasis in Biblical Languages in 1994. Gary formed a core group in 1991 that later became the founding members of WCC. Gary is the founding pastor of WCC.
Gary and his wife Robin have three married children: Stephen (wife, Caroline); Jonathan (wife, Nicole); and Erin (husband, Abbott). They also have two grandchildren. Gary enjoys reading, playing guitar, disc golf with his boys, and being with friends and family.
Stephen Combs - Minister of Worship and Youth - [Account] - wilsoncommunitychurch.org@stephen
Stephen was born September 14, 1982 in Radford, Virginia. His dad's (Pastor Gary's) job moved them to Wilson, North Carolina when Stephen was 5 years old. In his bedroom in Wilson, Stephen accepted Christ into his heart at the age of 6. He began playing drums for Wilson Community Church when he was 13 years old. At the age of 16, Stephen began leading worship for the youth group at WCC, and also became Vice-President of the FCA at Fike High School.
Stephen attended ECU, where he received a BA in Music Performance, with a focus on Percussion. He was very involved in Campus Crusade for Christ and led worship there for three years. He attended four Summer Projects with CCC. The 1st was called Myrtle Beach Summer Project in Myrtle Beach, SC, where their goal was to get a job and learn to have life-style evangelism with their co-workers. The next summer, Stephen went back to Myrtle Beach Summer Project as the Project Director. Stephen's 3rd Summer Project was the Keynote Summer Project, where they traveled the U.S. sharing their faith through music. Stephen's 4th Summer Project was to Saratov, Russia, where they shared their faith with Russians from the local college campus.
Stephen met his wife, Caroline (Boyd) Combs, through Campus Crusade during his senior year at ECU. They were engaged that year, then married in September 2005. Stephen and Caroline have one daughter, Cadence Story Combs, born in January of 2010. Caroline is now happily a stay at home mom, working 2 days a week in the Admissions Office at Barton College.
Stephen answered the call to ministry his freshmen year at ECU, but didn't know what type of work that he would like to do until he became the worship leader at Campus Crusade for Christ in 2002. Stephen was offered the role of Worship Pastor at Wilson Community Church upon his graduation from ECU in May 2005 and began serving full-time at WCC in July 2005.
In August of 2006 Stephen also became the Youth Pastor at Wilson Community Church. Stephen now serves as the full-time Worship & Youth Pastor at WCC.
"It an honor to be able to do what I love, leading worship and discipling students, as not only my job but as my purpose in this world." - Stephen Combs
Sonny Allen - Director of Contribution (Ministry/Missions) - [Account] - irm.kaba.com@sallen
Sonny Allen was born in Portsmouth, VA. He was the third of four children. He joined the U.S. Marines after high school where he served 6 years and was honorably discharged as a Sgt. (E5). He worked in retail as a store manager for a while. He now works in manufacturing as a Technical Service Tech. Specialist with KABA ILCO CORP where he has worked for 22 years.
Sonny married his beautiful bride Amanda on April 24, 2004. He has four children, sons Robbie, Blake, and Austin, and a daughter Madison. He has two grand children named Landon and Robert II. In his spare time he enjoys watching sci-fi and collecting Star Trek memorabilia, riding his motorcycle, golf and playing baseball with his son Austin. He also loves to cook. His favorite type of food is Italian and he loves anything chocolate. His favorite movie is "The Wrath of Khan."
Amy Wall - Director of Children's Ministry - [Account] - yahoo.com@amylives4christ
Amy was born here in Wilson, NC at Wilson Memorial Hospital. Amy is the oldest of four daughters. Her sisters are Amanda Allen, Annette Joyner and Laura Barnes. The four of them grew up together on Fate Rd in Lucama, NC. At the age of 9, Amy dedicated her life to Jesus Christ during a Sunday morning service. During Amy’s teen years she worked for Bill’s Barbeque where she met her husband Steven. They started dating in 1992. After her graduation Amy started working in Quality Assurance. On May 16, 1998 Steven graduated from Eastern Carolina University. They married on May 30, 1998 because Amy “refused to wait any longer.” After the birth of their first child Amy went to work for a Montessori school where she received her early childhood credentials. They have three lovely daughters named Lillian Michelle, Samantha Nicole, and Rachel Elizabeth. Amy currently is a Home School Teacher for her daughters.
In the past Amy has served as a Great Adventure Lead Teacher, Leader of the Great Adventure Children’s Choir, Women’s Retreat Leader, and Koffee & Koinonia Assistant for the Women’s Ministry. Amy’s favorite foods are Mexican and Homemade Lemon Pie. She loves to sew and read. Her favorite book is “Marriage After God’s on Heart” by David Clark and reading the bible on Crosswalk.com.
Betty West - Director of Women's Ministry - [Account] - emcoretail.com@baw
Betty was born in Rockford, Illinois. She has a brother named Gary and a sister named Debbie. At the young age of 9, Betty asked the Lord into her heart while she lived in Northern Illinois.
Betty continued her education and received a B.S. in Marketing from Northern Illinois University. She also has been married for 28 years to her husband Danny who is a professional in auto restoration at Classic Auto. Together they have two wonderful children. The oldest is Jeremy who is married to Abby. They have three daughters named Katelin, Brianna, and Haylee. Her baby girl is Kayla who is now a senior at NC State and graduates in December with a degree in Visual Arts.
Betty currently works for Emco Wheaton as the Marketing Services Manager. She has also served as a Sunday School Teacher and serves in the Nursery.Betty loves chocolate, with brownies being top on her list of fast and easy chocolaty treats. She also likes to spend her spare time reading a good book. Her favorite book is “Gone with the Wind.”
Steven Wall - Director of Men's Ministry - [Account] - gmail.com@wallfamily7571
Steven Wall was born in San Antonio Texas. He has a twin brother named Anthony and a younger sister named Kim. Steven was an Air Force brat and grew up in many states such as Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina, Guam and Maryland. At the age of 15 he received Christ after his father threw him out of the house for raising his voice. As a young man he joined the army for 8 years. He has received a BS in Medical Technology and a BA in Fine Arts. Steven now runs the Lab on the night shift for Wilson Medical Center and also works in the OR at PCMH.
Steven met his wonderful wife Amy when they were both working for Bill’s Barbeque during his college years. They have been married for 11 years and have three adorable daughters named Lillian, Samantha and Rachael. Amy is a home school mom. Steven says, “I couldn’t be more pleased with the wife God has given me.”
Over the years Steven has answered the call of Christ by serving the Church in many areas. He started his journey in serving in the set up team, prayer team, and teaching in the children’s ministry. He now serves with the tech team, as a small group facilitator, a Deacon and the Men’s Ministry Leader. His motto is “I go wherever God tells me.”
Steven loves Chinese food and wishes he could eat it every day. He also loves the Carolina Panthers. Some of Steven’s favorite activities include working out at the gym, playing fantasy sports, watching movies, spending time with his girls, and ministering to people online. His favorite book is “The Dragonlance” saga, the “Left Behind” series, and “The Dark Tower” series. Steven’s favorite movies are the “Star Wars” saga, “The Lord of the Rings” series, “Gladiator,” “The Kingdom of Heaven,” “The last of the Mohicans,” “The Last Samurai,” and “Kelly’s Heroes.”
Robin Combs - Office Administrator - [Account] - embarqmail.com@rcombswcc
Robin Conner Combs was born in Salem, Virginia. She has two sisters, Kerry Lawrence and Tonya Lagan, and a brother, Chris Conner. She grew up in Check, Virginia and at the age of 11 received Christ as her Lord and Savior during a Sunday morning service at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren in Bent Mountain, Virginia. Robin was active in her youth ministry at church and was in her high school’s Christian Girl’s Club were she served as secretary. She was, also, secretary of Campus Crusade for Christ while attending Radford University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. In 1979, Robin married her college sweetheart, Gary, who now is the founding pastor of Wilson Community Church.
Robin and Gary have three wonderful children, Stephen, Jonathan and Erin. Stephen is married to Caroline; they are expecting their first child in February of 2010. Jonathan is married to Nicole and they have a son, Nathaniel. Erin is married to Abbott Mitchell.
Robin’s hobbies are needlework, reading, cooking and spoiling baby “Nate,” her first grandchild. Her favorite food is watermelon. She loves all books by Nicholas Sparks, Janette Oke, Francine Rivers and others. She enjoys theater and classical music.
Jonathan Minter - Director of Connection
Jonathan was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA with his older sister Michele. He received Christ in the 5th grade as his personal Lord and Savior. Jonathan is married to his lovely wife Michelle (2 Ls) and they have three children. Aiden is 8 and likes baseball and music. Isaac is 6 and likes to be creative and artistic. Elena is the princess in pink at age 4.
Jonathan has a BS in Psychology from Liberty University and a MS in Information Technology from Regis University and works in the IT field. In the past Jonathan has served in music ministry and youth ministry while living in Virginia.
Jonathan’s favorite past time is listening to music and playing with his children. He likes all kinds of food such as Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and American. His favorite movies are “Glory” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
Gary Combs - Lead Pastor - [.jpg)
Gary W. Combs, B.A., Radford University; M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, is our lead pastor. Gary was born in Bristol, Tennessee, but grew up in Bristol, Virginia. He was the first of four children. Gary majored in music with an emphasis on classical guitar at Radford University. He was the student president of RU's Campus Crusade for Christ for three years. .jpg)
Stephen was born September 14, 1982 in Radford, Virginia. His dad's (Pastor Gary's) job moved them to Wilson, North Carolina when Stephen was 5 years old. In his bedroom in Wilson, Stephen accepted Christ into his heart at the age of 6. He began playing drums for Wilson Community Church when he was 13 years old. At the age of 16, Stephen began leading worship for the youth group at WCC, and also became Vice-President of the FCA at Fike High School..jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Steven Wall was born in San Antonio Texas. He has a twin brother named Anthony and a younger sister named Kim. Steven was an Air Force brat and grew up in many states such as Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina, Guam and Maryland. At the age of 15 he received Christ after his father threw him out of the house for raising his voice. As a young man he joined the army for 8 years. He has received a BS in Medical Technology and a BA in Fine Arts. Steven now runs the Lab on the night shift for Wilson Medical Center and also works in the OR at PCMH..jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)