About Us
Meet the Pastors
- David Horner
- Senior Pastor
- David is the founding pastor of Providence, which was established October 1, 1978, and he has served as the senior pastor ever since. A native of Graham, NC, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has authored three books, including Firmly Rooted, Faithfully Growing, which is devoted to equipping churches for principle-based ministry, and Dad's Words of Wisdom, a weekly devotional for fathers and sons. Most recently he wrote, A Practical Guide for Life and Ministry, which offers help for people in ministry who are trying to maintain a biblical balance in their lives. David speaks once or twice a year overseas in various missions contexts, equipping other pastors and Christian leaders in effective biblical leadership. He and his wife, Cathy, have been married since 1973 and have three grown sons, Jeff (married to Elizabeth), Scott and Jon (married to Meghan).
- Contact David Horner
- John Erwin
- Executive Director of Administrative and Communication Services
- A native of Virginia, John graduated from Virginia Tech in 1996 with a degree in civil/structural engineering. He practiced structural engineering until 2003 when he made a career change into the business realm joining Genworth Financial. While at Genworth, John held several leadership roles in quality, strategic development and international operations. John has been a member of Providence since 2002 and has served in the singles, student and adult ministries. John has been married to his wife, Sarah, since 1999 and they have two sons, Caleb and Samuel.
- Contact John Erwin
- Joel Leath
- Assistant Pastor of Community Ministries
- Joel is a native of Burlington, N.C., and attended Elon University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. He served for 18 years with New Directions International, touring the United States as part of an evangelistic music team. Most recently, he was assistant pastor and worship leader at Calvary Chapel Four Winds in Red Bank, N.J. Joel and his wife, Sonia, have three children, J.D., Rachelle and Stacia.
- Contact Joel Leath
- Leon Tucker
- Senior Associate Pastor of Education
- Leon is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he completed his Master of Divinity and Master of Religious Education degrees. He has received two Bachelor of Arts degrees, one in biblical education from Florida Bible College and the other in religion from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He has served as pastor of singles at Sheridan Hills Baptist Church in Hollywood, Fla., and as pastor of education at First Baptist Church in Weston, Fla. He has been married to his wife, Renee, since 1974, and they are the parents of three grown sons - Ryan (married to Angie), Kyle (married to Sarah) and Eric - and two grandsons.
- Contact Leon Tucker
- Joel McDaniel
- Assistant Pastor of Adult Ministries
- A native of Arkansas, Joel graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts. He received a master's degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Joel also worked with junior high students at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He then served as youth pastor and minister of education at Grey Stone Baptist in Durham, N.C. Joel and his wife, Kimberly, have twin daughters, Kinsey and Kayla.
- Contact Joel McDaniel
- Mike Williams
- Pastor of Inreach/Outreach
- Originally from Knoxville, Tenn., Mike studied political science at the University of Tennessee while serving in various ministry roles, including interim youth pastor at Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville. In 1998, he moved to Wake Forest to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received a Master of Divinity degree. Since coming to Providence that same year, Mike has served as a LIFE class teacher, intern and director, before being asked to serve in his current role. Mike met his wife, Amy, at Providence and they have one son, Luke.
- Contact Mike Williams
- Kevin Sweat
- Associate Pastor of Children's Ministry
- Kevin is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he received a Master of Arts in education. He received his undergraduate degree in mass communication from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Prior to that, he served as the children's pastor at First Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., and as the preschool pastor at First Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla. Married to his wife, Sandy, since 1977, they have three children - Corby (married to Matt), Brady and Grayson.
- Contact Kevin Sweat
- Matt Morgan
- Elementary Children's Pastor
- Matt received his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005. He also holds an undergraduate degree in communication from North Carolina State University. He served as the Director of Ministry at Dudley Shoals Baptist Church in Granite Falls, NC prior to joining the Providence staff. He has been married to his wife, Amy, since 2001, and they have two children, Madison and Davis.
- Contact Matt Morgan
- Dave Owen
- Associate Pastor of College and Evangelism Ministries
- Dave is a graduate of Averett University where he majored in business administration. After four years as a golf professional, Dave attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., where he graduated in 2000 with a Master of Divinity degree. Dave has served at Providence since 1995. He is married to his partner and best friend, Julie. They are the proud parents of Joshua, Elizabeth, Julianna and Rachel.
- Contact Dave Owen
- Chip Bugnar
- Assistant Pastor of College Ministries
- Originally from Roxboro, N.C., Chip is a graduate of North Carolina State University where he majored in communications. During his sophomore year, he met his wife, Rebecca, on a mission trip to East Asia. During, his senior year God introduced them to Providence, and they have been working with the College Ministry for the past seven years. He first served as an intern and then as the director of College Ministry. Chip attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated in 2004 with his Master of Divinity. He and Rebecca have three children, Emma, Owen and Ben.
- Contact Chip Bugnar
- Brian Frost
- Associate Pastor for Singles and Young Adults
- Brian completed his Master of Divinity at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. His undergraduate degree is in psychology from Southwest Baptist University. He has served with the International Service Corps of the International Mission Board in Zimbabwe, Africa, and as the youth pastor at West County Community Church in St. Louis, Mo. He has been married to his partner in ministry, Tabatha, since 1997. He is the father of three sons, Josiah, Caleb and Seth.
- Contact Brian Frost
- Steve Wright
- Assistant Pastor of Student Ministries
- Steve has served in student ministry since 1988 and joined the team at Providence in May of 1999. He received a Master of Arts degree in Christian education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His undergraduate degree is from Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn. Steve and his wife, Tina, were married in 1989. They are blessed with three children - Sara, William and Tyler.
- Contact Steve Wright
- Blake Hickman
- Assistant Pastor of Middle School Ministries
- Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, Blake is a graduate of Liberty University where he was a Religion major. It was at Liberty that he met his wife Amber, and the two were married in June of 1999. Upon graduation from Liberty, Blake began work on a Masters of Arts in Christian Ed. at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which he completed in May of 2004. He and Amber have four sons, Asher, Caleb, Nathaniel and Judah.
- Contact Blake Hickman
- George Tissiere
- Associate Pastor of Missions
- George is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University where he majored in pastoral ministry. He holds a master's degree from National College of Education and received his Master of Theology from Capitol Bible Seminary in Washington, D.C. He served at Calvary Church in Charlotte, N.C., for eleven years as associate pastor and ten years as executive pastor at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Allentown, Pa. He has been married to his wife, Nancy, since 1971; they have one daughter, Krissy (married to Asa).
- Contact George Tissiere
- Ricky Mill
- Associate Pastor of Shepherding
- A native of Savannah, Ga., Ricky graduated from the University of Georgia. After graduation, he joined the staff of Campus Crusade, working on college campuses and playing basketball on the Athletes in Action team. Ricky studied at Dallas Theological Seminary and Birmingham Theological Seminary and has a Master of Theology degree. He has been a youth pastor, church planter, senior pastor and an executive director for a parachurch ministry. Ricky and his wife, Annette, have been married since 1972 and have three grown children - Boone (married to Lila), Allison and Rebecca and one grandson.
- Contact Ricky Mill
- Bob Stancil
- Assistant Pastor of Pastoral Care
- Bob received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. For 25 years, he worked in various engineering and management positions. A Providence member since 1985, he was called into vocational ministry in 1997 and was ordained in 2002. He has completed some graduate studies in counseling through Liberty University and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Bob and his wife, Anne, were married in 1970 and have two children, Brandon (married to Meredith) and Anna Kathryn, and two grandchildren.
- Contact Bob Stancil
- Eric Hamsho
- Associate Pastor of Worship Ministry
- Eric is a graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., where he earned a Bachelor of Music and Elective Studies in business. He began his graduate work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School while working at The Chapel in Akron, Ohio, as an intern and later as the assistant pastor of worship and music. Eric has also served as the associate pastor of worship and music at Hudson Community Chapel in Hudson, Ohio. Eric and his wife, Stacia, have three children, Benjamin, Jaimeson and Elliana.
- Contact Eric Hamsho
