Welcome to our New
Kids Walk Directors:
Todd and Dana Friday
We are excited that Todd and Dana have stepped forward to lead our KIDS WALK (Children’s Ministry)! They have been approved by the Children’s Ministry Team and the Session to be our new leaders. Here is some biographical information on the Friday Family:
Todd was born in Dallas, NC and graduated from North Gaston High School. He then went to UNC Chapel Hill and received his BS in Biology in 1993. He went on to Nursing School at UNC and received his BS in Nursing in 1995. He has been at Gaston Memorial since 2002. He started as an assistance nurse manager and is currently the Manager for the oncology services and dialysis.
Dana was born in Rutherfordton, NC. She and her family moved frequently due to her father's job but she graduated from Lincolnton High School. She then went to UNC Chapel Hill and graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1994. She works part time at Medical Arts Pharmacy in Shelby, NC.
Todd and Dana lived in the Chapel Hill/Durham area until 2002 when they moved back to this area to be close to family. Todd's family still lives in Dallas and Dana's lives in Lincolnton and Belmont.
Todd grew up at Philadelphia Lutheran Church in Dallas and Dana grew up Southern Baptist. They decided to join a denomination that meshed the two for them.
Todd and Dana live here in Gastonia actually very close to Gaston Day School. They have four children, Jeff-13, Daniel-9, Evan-6, and Lilly-3. They are very excited about leading the Kids Walk ministry for Gaston Community Church and for Gaston Community!
A Hope, A Dream, A Destiny
We believe God has given us a special opportunity and a calling to reach out to people with the good news of Jesus. This website is one way we are seeking to reach out ... to you.
Join in by visiting this new worship service. In most ways, it is not dramatically different from other church services. And yet, there is a freedom and authenticity about our worship time together that is different. We believe the Holy Spirit is giving us freedom as we delight in Him, worshipping with our mind (through Biblical preaching and application) and our heart (Spirit-led worship and fellowship). We also have a conviction that we have ... a destiny in Christ. We want you to come with us.
Biographical:
Ministry and Education
Dec. 6, 2009 to present - Pastor, Gaston Community Church
2008, 2009 - Church Planter, Gaston Community Church
2004 to 2008 - Associate Pastor of First ARP Church
2000 - 2004 - Pastor of Trinity ARP Church in Tampa, FL
1990 - 2000 - Pastor of Pressly Memorial ARP Church in Statesville, NC
1987 - 1990 - Erskine Theological Seminary; M.Div.; Due West, SC
1983 - Graduated from Berea College, KY; B.A. in Religion
1978-81 - Attended Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC.
1978 - Graduated from Travelers Rest High School, in Travelers Rest, SC.
Family
1990 - Married to Jan Tankersley from Rock Hill, SC (Jan graduated from
Northwestern High School ('81) and Winthrop University ('85).
She was a life-long member of Ebenezer ARP Church, Rock Hill, SC
1994 - Birth of our daughter, Carole-Anne Tankersley in Statesville, NC
1996 - Birth of our son, Hudson Tankersley in Statesville, NC
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1960 - Mark was born in Greenville, SC.
1962 - Jan was born in Rock Hill, SC.
1970 - Mark came to faith in Jesus at Locust Hill Baptist Church in South Carolina.
Andy grew up in Gastonia and is a graduate of Appalachian State University (Bachelor of Music Performance) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity). He and his wife Cathy have 4 children: Jami, Matthew, Michael, and Kati. He has been involved in local church ministry since college. Andy’s goal is to glorify God and lead others to worship God “in Spirit and in Truth”. For Andy, music is not an end to itself, but a means to worship God. Andy has been leading our Praise Team since our beginning as a mission church. Andy’s hobbies include painting, song writing, reading, tennis, listening to old records, watching old movies and visiting the local goodwill store for bargains and collectibles (usually old records). Andy’s idea of the perfect day off is a day trip (with Cathy) to the Boone/Blowing Rock area and long rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway (with the top down!)
Trey McKeown - Youth Director, Student Ministry
E-mail TreyTrey is our Youth Director for Middle-School and High-School Students.
He has inaugurated our youth ministry by leading youth on summer retreats and mission trips. This past year he began Small groups for our youth that meet in different homes in our community. Each month there is a "Big Group" meeting that includes fellowship, fun, games, praise music and a closing devotional that puts an emphasis on our need to know Jesus Christ and to be transformed in our relationship with HIm. Our youth had a great experience participating in 180 Weekend and continuing in our Family Groups even through the snowy weekend. Upcoming: MISSION TRIP TO NICARAGUA!
Trey is also a soccer coach with Gaston United, and is also on the coaching staff at Gaston Day School.
He is soon to finish his studies at UNC-Charlotte as well.
