As a life-long Original Free Will Baptist, Reverend Dr. Bannister resides with his family in LaGrange, NC, the very community he was raised in. As husband to Danielle, and father to Declan, Finnick, and Kellan, life can be very busy between ministry, family, and the various other interests God has granted to Rev. Dr. Bannister!

For more than 15 years, Rev. Dr. Bannister has served as an ordained OFWB minister, and has worked as youth minister, pastor, and ministry director within our faith tradition. Prior to leading the Church Planting and Renewal ministry, Rev. Dr. Bannister worked as the Director of Thriving in Ministry with the University of Mount Olive, where he was able to raise more than 3.5 million dollars for faith-based initiatives through University Ministries.

Rev. Dr. Bannister holds a BS in Religion from Mount Olive College, a M.Div. from Campbell Divinity School, and an Ed.D. from Abilene Christian University. He also holds certifications in Interim and Transitional Ministry from the Centers for Congregational Health, and Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Abilene Christian University.

The Reverend Kelley Smart grew up in the Reedy Branch OFWB Church of Winterville where he accepted the call to vocational ministry in 2001.  In preparation for ministry he attended the University of Mount Olive where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Religion in 2004.  He was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 2005 and later that year married his wife the Reverend Marci Rollins-Smart.  Following marriage, he followed in his wife's steps earning a Master's of Divinity Degree with a focus on "Biblical Studies" from Campbell University Divinity School in 2010.  Reverend Smart currently serves as the senior pastor of the Little Rock OFWB Church of Lucama and he and his wife have a daughter named Kelsie.  In his spare time, he enjoys all things related to motorsports, NC State athletics, and is a connoisseur of M&Ms candy.

As the son of a Southern Baptist Pastor, even when I was running the other way, I always knew God had a plan and a purpose for my life. When I finally relented control, I was led to be a music and worship pastor in various places for about 15 years. In that time, God grew and molded me into what He really wanted. I became a full time senior pastor in 2017 and have been striving to follow God’s will every day. My bachelor’s degree is from Mount Olive College in Church Music and I have complete about half of a Masters in divinity at Campbell University. My hobbies are pretty much anything outdoor such as hunting and fishing. I also thoroughly enjoy woodworking and making things with my hands. I am also an active member of the Starlight Dance Band in Goldsboro where I play Baritone Saxophone and provide the majority of vocals on the songs requiring that. Between my wife Michelle and myself we have 4 children, Jessi, Sarah, Rachel and Samuel. We also had a son (Drew) that recently passed. We also have 6 grandchildren, Lily, Brooklyn, Madison, Auggie, Rowyn, and Owen.

Dale Belvin is first and foremost, the husband of Elizabeth and the Daddy of Charlie, Ellie, and Luna.  Dale discerned God's call on his life as child and began preaching at 10 years old.  He was ordained by the Piedmont Conference in 2000 and has been privileged to serve churches throughout eastern North Carolina.  Dale currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Lee's Chapel Church in the Plain View Community.  He enjoys running, playing guitar, and is an avid sports fan.

Tiffany Creech was born and raised in Wayne County, NC and is a graduate of Southern Wayne High School and Mt. Olive College. She and her husband Asa currently reside in La Grange, NC and are members of La Grange 1st FWB Church.  They have one son, a daughter-in-law and two precious grandchildren who live in Portsmouth, VA and they enjoy spending as much time as possible with them. Tiffany is employed with Wayne Community College as the Director of Grants Development & Management. Outside of church activities and spending time with their family, Tiffany & Asa enjoy the beach, and working together on various household and yard projects.  

(bio coming soon!)

(bio coming soon!)

Jessica has been a member of Ormondsville OFWB Church for 27 years. She has been part of the music and youth ministry. She also leads a women’s ministry called Sisters in Christ and has begun doing some special speaking/singing. She is currently a student at UMO taking online courses for Christian Studies. She has been teaching 4th and 5th grades in Greene County public schools for 18 years.