Pastor Vance moved his family to Greenville, SC in 1980 to begin training for the ministry. He received both his undergraduate degree in Bible and his Masters in Theology from Bob Jones University.

In 1985 Pastor Vance, his wife Diane, and his 5 children moved to Florida because the Lord burdened his heart to start a church in a small town called, Lehigh Acres. He has faithfully ministered here as senior pastor for the past 35 years.

Pastor Vance has the heart of a shepherd. He is a student of God’s Word and prayerfully leads and feeds his church family.

John grew up at GRBC under the leadership of his pastor and father. He understands first hand how the ministry works.

John graduated with an undergraduate degree in Bible in 2003. The same year he and his wife, Amber, were married.

Currently, John is pursuing a master’s degree in pastoral studies. He serves full time as assistant pastor and administrator of Gunnery Road Christian Academy.

John and his wife have six children: Jon, Joey, Javin, Jack, Annaliese, & Amberlynn.

Luke was privileged to grow up in a Christian home in the state of Pennsylvania, where he was taught the gospel from an early age. He remembers praying the salvation prayer many times but still doubting. When he was 13, God graciously revealed to him the truth of Romans 10:13 – “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

“My sin condemns me before a holy God and I am not saved because I believe in the sincerity of my prayer, but because I believe God’s promise to save those who trust in Him.”

When luke was 15 years old, God called him for a life of ministry. He had many opportunities to serve in his church, school, and Christian camp during his high school and college years. After graduating from Bob Jones University in 1999 with a degree in practical Christian training, he spent the next two years serving at Camp Joy Christian Youth Camp and Conference Center in Wisconsin. Luke has also served as pastor for two years in Ohio from 2013-2016.

Luke has been serving here at GRBC since 2002. Currently, he leads our youth ministry. He supports our pastor in the ministry of our church & teaches various classes, including Bible in our Christian school. “I am thankful for God’s grace to consider me worthy of serving Him as I depend upon Him.”

Luke and his wife, April, have been married since 2000. They have five children: Ethan, Ian, Collin, Nolan, & Owen. In his free time, Luke enjoys spending time with family, bicycling, woodworking, & reading.

Brian grew up in Tampa, FL, where he was introduced to the gospel when he was eight years old. His grandfather had recently gotten saved, and Brian attended an Awana meeting where he heard a clear gospel message. “Finding out that Jesus Christ suffered in my place so He could forgive me and accept me caused me to break down in tears.”

When Brian was 11 years old, he began thinking about being in the ministry. He continued to feel God’s calling throughout high school. It was during his freshman year at Bob Jones University that God confirmed his calling to the ministry. Brian graduated from BJU with a BA in Pastoral Studies in 1996 & a MA in Pastoral Studies in 1998. At BJU, Brian met his wife, Karen, and they were married in 1997.

In 2017, Karen had a massive stroke and almost died twice in one weekend. This circumstance brought Brian through a time of testing. “All the external reasons I had to believe were gone, and I was left with a single question: Is the Word of God alone sufficient? It was doctrine alone that became the bedrock of not just my faith but my life. Yes, God and His Word alone are sufficient. God is good whether or not I agree with or like His plan for my life.” Brian learned that difficulties like this serve as an opportunity for us to see Him better than ever.

Brian has been serving at GRBC since 1998. He leads our children’s church program, teaching God’s Word to them on their level. He also teaches several Junior High & High School classes, including Bible, in our Christian school.

In his free time, Brian enjoys studying and researching various topics, though especially things that are Scripturally related. He also enjoys learning foreign languages, especially ancient ones, working on puzzles and playing board games.