LEAD  PASTOR 

      Pastor Paul & Sarah Brafford

Lead Pastor Paul Brafford is a native of North Carolina, a student of the public education system, graduating in 1973 from J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, NC. The last of five children born to Rev. Robert H. Brafford and Lois Fulghum Brafford, Paul was aware of God’s call to ministry very early in his life. Following high school graduation, he attended Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia where he pursued his preparation for ministry and in 1978, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministries. In 2003, Paul received his Masters Degree in Church Revitalization from Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma City, OK.

Married since 1975, both Pastor Paul and his wife, Sarah, share the joy of being parents to their son, Jared Paul Brafford of Florence, SC and their daughter, Erica Brafford Fulcher of Raleigh, NC.

Paul has been a pastor for more than 20 years in addition to 8 years of administrative work with his denomination, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. In April, 2001, Pastor Paul was called by the Greenville First Pentecostal Holiness Church to serve as lead pastor. Under his leadership the church has experienced significant spiritual, physical and financial growth. In our rapidly advancing age of technology, Pastor Paul has a laser fine focus to minister to this generation about Experiencing Real God, Developing Real People and Serving in Real Time.
 

Dion and Kristy Gaskins, Director of Worship & Fine Arts

Dion Gaskins began serving as a church pianist at a young age; he was just 11 years old. He has been the pianist at Greenville First since 1994. In May of 2009, he accepted the call of God to lead in worship and direct the music program here at Greenville First Church. He studied Music Education and excelled in Music Theory and Composition at East Carolina University. He received private voice training and was avidly involved in the Concert Choir and also played trumpet with the Marching Pirates. Dion gives all the credit to God for his musical talent and ability and enjoys using it to bless others, through his singing, playing, writing and arranging. Dion has a heart for people and is dedicated to encouraging and enabling others to use their gifts. Kristy, his wife of 16 years, plays an active role in the Fine Arts Ministry by singing in the choir and on the Praise Team and by offering encouragement, support and assistance to Dion. They have four children: Randa, Micah, Jaimyn and Jarrett who also play several musical instruments, sing, and participate in drama, talent competition and Bible Quiz. Dion and Kristy have a strong desire to see their church family celebrate the goodness of the Lord through dynamic and expressive Praise and Worship. 

Chris and Sheila Williams, Youth Pastor and Discipleship Ministries

Pastor Chris Williams has worked in Children’s and Youth Ministry for more than 10 years. Since 2002, Pastor Chris has served as an Associate Pastor at Greenville First. In September of 2007, Pastor Chris became the Student and Church Education Ministries Pastor. One of the major goals of Pastor Chris’ ministry is to help young people discover that they have a purpose and place in church as well as in the world. In 2007, Pastor Chris was chosen as the Children’s Pastor of the Year for the North Carolina Conference. A Greenville native, Pastor Chris graduated from East Carolina University. Chris Williams is a minister of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and has been the featured speaker at several denominational events. He has been married to his wife, Sheila, for 13 years. Sheila is a vital and important part of the ministry team at Greenville First. Pastor Chris and Sheila have one daughter, Graceson, a baby on the way, and a dog named Chip. 

Matt and Christy Duke - Children Pastor     

Pastor Matthew Duke has been at First Pentecostal Holiness Church since 1994. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from East Carolina University and received his Local Ministers License from the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in June 2008. He has answered the call of God on his life and as of July 2008 started as Childrens Pastor. He and his wife, Christy, have been married for eight years. Christy works along side of her husband as a team who are both passionate for children growing and learning about Jesus. They have twin daughters, Emma and Chloe, four years of age and a baby on the way. Matt's heart is to increase the Kingdom of Heaven with a purposeful kids ministry that will have an everlasting effect of King Jesus in their lives.