There are two offices of leadership in Christ’s church that men may hold: elder and deacon. For a full treatise on these offices, we would recommend Alexander Strauch’s excellent books, Biblical Eldership and The New Testament Deacon.
For a detailed view of what we believe about pastors/elders and deacons, please see our doctrinal positions. To summarize though, we are neither a congregational-rule church, nor a one-man-rule church.
The biblical pattern is for a local church to be led by a group of elders. Each man will have different giftings and different callings. Some may earn their living from the gospel, while others may hold secular employment. Each elder, though, is to serve faithfully as an under-shepherd of the flock, accountable to the Chief Shepherd.
For a detailed view of what we believe about pastors/elders and deacons, please see our doctrinal positions. To summarize though, we are neither a congregational-rule church, nor a one-man-rule church.
The biblical pattern is for a local church to be led by a group of elders. Each man will have different giftings and different callings. Some may earn their living from the gospel, while others may hold secular employment. Each elder, though, is to serve faithfully as an under-shepherd of the flock, accountable to the Chief Shepherd.
ELDERS OF GBFC
kent pletcher
Elder
Kent is the preaching elder at Grace Bible Fellowship Church.
Kent attended Reformed Theological Seminary from 2000-2004. Kent pastored at TurningPoint Community Church and Riverbend Community Church, both in Florida, from 2004–2015. Kent pastored at First Baptist Church in Langdon, ND from 2015–2020 before coming here to GBFC in Melissa, TX.
Kent married his lovely wife, Hilari, in December of 2000 and they have four daughters together.
Kent attended Reformed Theological Seminary from 2000-2004. Kent pastored at TurningPoint Community Church and Riverbend Community Church, both in Florida, from 2004–2015. Kent pastored at First Baptist Church in Langdon, ND from 2015–2020 before coming here to GBFC in Melissa, TX.
Kent married his lovely wife, Hilari, in December of 2000 and they have four daughters together.
Lyndon shook
Elder
Lyndon oversees Grace Biblical Counseling Ministry a ministry of GBFC. Lyndon has been an elder at Grace Bible Fellowship Church since 2003.
Lyndon has a Masters of Arts in Biblical Counseling and is a certified counselor with ACBC. Prior to pastoring at GBFC, Lyndon pastored at Grace Bible Church in east Texas.
Lyndon has been married to Tammy since 1984, has five boys and eleven grandchildren.
Lyndon has a Masters of Arts in Biblical Counseling and is a certified counselor with ACBC. Prior to pastoring at GBFC, Lyndon pastored at Grace Bible Church in east Texas.
Lyndon has been married to Tammy since 1984, has five boys and eleven grandchildren.
mark white
Elder
Mark is primarily responsible for education, missions, evangelism, and senior adult ministries. Mark has served as an elder at Grace Bible Fellowship Church since 2011.
Mark has completed 18 credit hours of Old and New Testament and Theology studies. He has also completed both Track 1 and 2 of the Association of Certified Biblical Counseling courses and has been formally counseling for seven years. Mark has retired from his secular career of 32 years.
Mark has been married since August 1980 to his amazing and lovely wife Sandra. They have one daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
Mark has completed 18 credit hours of Old and New Testament and Theology studies. He has also completed both Track 1 and 2 of the Association of Certified Biblical Counseling courses and has been formally counseling for seven years. Mark has retired from his secular career of 32 years.
Mark has been married since August 1980 to his amazing and lovely wife Sandra. They have one daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
Bilal nassardeen
Elder
Bilal has served as an elder at Grace bible Fellowship Church since 2013.
Bilal is married to his lovely wife, Adrienne, and they have two daughters.
Bilal is currently inactive as an elder due to prolonged health issues. Please keep Bilal in your prayers that God would bring full healing and recovery.
Bilal is married to his lovely wife, Adrienne, and they have two daughters.
Bilal is currently inactive as an elder due to prolonged health issues. Please keep Bilal in your prayers that God would bring full healing and recovery.
DEACONS OF GBFC
The duty of Deacons is to assist the Elders through benevolence, stewardship responsibilities over all church properties, exercising oversight of financial matters of the church, and providing oversight of all items relating to logistical aspects of church services.
JEFF CHRISTOFFEL
larry higby
Deacon
Deacon
Andrew Palmer
Deacon
