Pastor Tom Cox comes to us with remarkable pastoral experience, gifts in building relational community, a missional heart, and a love for the Lord which is foundational to his approach to ministry. Tom received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1984. He went onto the International School of Theology, then to the Reformed Theological Seminary.
According to Tom, “the Lord laid hold of me my first week as a freshman at the University of South Carolina. By His grace, I have walked with Him ever since.” He served Christ, first in 14 years of campus ministry and now for 24 years in His Church. He and Kelli have been married for 30 years. They have two adult children: Jacob and Jenna.
Tom's hobbies include playing Scrabble, building his collection of Bible commentaries, playing disc golf, and pickleball. For five years Tom and Kelli were a part of a church plant in Orlando where he became a Ruling Elder. He also spent a summer preaching two services at the church where his wife grew up. After seminary, he ministered as Associate Pastor of a church in a small town in Alabama for two and a half years. He has since served as Senior Pastor of three churches for a combined total of 21 years and recently concluded a stint as Interim Senior Pastor in Illinois. Currently, he is ministering cross-culturally as Pastoral Mentor for the Presbyterian Convention of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Whether in Africa or in North America, Tom longs to minister in a team setting where he can help emerging leaders develop to their full potential for the Kingdom so that together we can unite gospel words with gospel deeds and make disciples for the glory of God.
Chris Holmes started as our new Music Minister/Choir Director at the end of February 2019. He has run the music programs in several different churches in North and South Carolina, and has been a regular guest at Flat Branch through the years. He is a graduate of NC State and an engineer by background, but brings us some outstanding vocal, keyboard, and conducting skills to the church as well. He has already brought new strength and enthusiasm to our Music Ministry!
Lisa Bass is the church Administrative Assistant. Lisa grew up at Flat Branch, and has worked in Harnett County Emergency Services as a Dispatcher, Secretary with the Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Office and as an EMT-Paramedic . She joined our staff in November 2018 and keeps the church office running and organized.