Mark Tankersley - Church Planter, Pastor
Email MarkA 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
Email 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.
David Jennings II serves as keyboardist at Gaston Community Church. Formerly the organist of Charlotte's Westminster Presbyterian Church, David studied piano with Sandy Grant and organ with Dr. John Siler. He has been involved in church music since high school. David is a graduate of Gaston Christian School and UNC-Greensboro and currently works as a registered nurse at a hematology/oncology practice in Charlotte.
