Leadership & Staff
Ben Allen, Pastor
Ben was raised in a Christian family in upstate New York. He moved to Mebane, North Carolina when he was thirteen and later became a member of Grace Reformed Baptist Church there in Mebane. While obtaining his B.S. in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University, he met and married his wife, Andrea. God has blessed them with four children, Lindsay, Claire, Dean, and Pam. After several years in Mebane, Ben and Andrea decided to go with the church planting team and move their family to Winston Salem. Ben works as a full-time software engineer and was called to serve as a non-staff pastor of the church in 2019. Ben and Andrea love spending time with people in and out of their home.
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Rex Blackburn, Pastor
Rex was born and raised in the Piedmont Triad. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College in 2012, double-majoring in History and Political Science; he obtained an M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from the same institution in 2014. In 2021, Rex graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with an M.Div. Rex works full-time as an insurance agent specializing in Commercial Lines, and also teaches part-time at Oak Ridge Military Academy. He is married to Michelle, and they have three sons, Owen, Ransom, and William. Rex enjoys hunting, genealogy, and playing the banjo.
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Brad Kinnison, Pastor
Brad is a lifelong native of North Carolina. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Nursing before going on to obtain an M.Div. in Christian Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was mentored in the ministerial training program at Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Mebane, NC before being sent out as part of the Winston Salem church plant team. Brad formerly worked full-time as an Emergency Room RN and is now a full-time elder at Emmanuel. He is married to his lovely wife Abbie and they have two children, Maebry and Branden. Brad and Abbie enjoy all things outdoors, reading, and showing hospitality.
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Jonny Harris, Pastoral Assistant
Jonny was born and raised in King, NC. He majored in History from Appalachian State University and is currently studying at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in order to receive an M.Div in Christian Ministry. He works full-time for Calvary Day School and is happily married to Laken. When Jonny isn't working, he enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and writing.
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Brooke Joyce, Administrative Assistant
Brooke was born and raised in Virginia, and worked for IBM after graduating from Virginia Tech. Brooke and her husband, Mike, moved to Winston Salem in 1999 soon after they were married where they have have lived for the past twenty-three years. God has blessed them with four children; Landon, Ella, Eli, and Emmy. Brooke left her career to homeschool all of her children. She enjoys crafts, woodworking, organizing, outdoor activities, and showing hospitality.
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