ABOUT COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH

Highlands, North Carolina

Senior Pastor

Dr. Gary Hewins

In January 2009, Gary was called to Community Bible Church to provide leadership as the Senior Pastor. He is focused on supplying spiritual nurturing to the growing congregation, while also providing a challenging preaching and teaching ministry. Community Bible Church maintains a spiritual influence on multiple church campuses in the region and enjoys a very influential online ministry presence.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia State University,

a Master’s of Arts degree in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Ministry from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts.

Missions is deeply embedded in Gary’s heart. He has been instrumental in proclaiming the Gospel in many nations among people devoted to many false gods. His unique preaching and teaching style cultivates a hunger for the Word of God in others.

ELDERS

Jim Cothran

David Jones

Carl Littlefield

Ken McKim

Kyle McKim

DEACONS

Tom Banks Jr.

Bill Bubenick

Peter Hall

Jerry Hermanson

Jan Ross

Deborah Watson

CARE MINISTRY

Vesta Jones

Care Ministry and SHALOM Ministry

TEAM

Thomas Bates

Family & Community Pastor View Bio

Anthony DeNardis

Director of Ministry Services View Bio

Rodney Beasley

Financial Director View Bio

Kim Johnson

Communications Coordinator View Bio

Media Team

Dylan Lytle

Media Director View Bio

Tyler Morrow

Media Technician View Bio

TEAM MEMBERS

Angie Hewins

Creative Arts Director View Bio

Lisa Bates

Accounting Assistant View Bio

Julie Hughes

Children’s Creative Director View Bio

David Parrish

Director of Student Ministries View Bio

Kelsey Parrish

Assistant Director of Student Ministries View Bio

Rebecca Cothran

Accounting Assistant View Bio

Hannah Adams

Director of Music Education View Bio

TBA

Maintenance View Bio

Liliana Spellman

Housekeeping View Bio

Church Tour

MISSION STATEMENT

Community Bible Church seeks to exalt the Lord, empower the believer, embrace the hurting, and celebrate the love and fellowship of Christ.

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH INFORMATION

CORE BELIEFS

God JESUS Holy Spirit PEOPLE THE BIBLE THE CHURCH

We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons (Romans 8, Ephesians 1:13-14).

We believe in the deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ

(John 1:1), His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18),

His sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21), His miracles (Acts 10:38), His vicarious death as the only sacrifice for the sin of the world (1 John 2:2), His bodily resurrection from the dead (Luke 24:39), His ascension to the right hand of God as our intercessor (Hebrews 4:14), and His future return in glory: first, to rapture His church

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and second, to establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth (Revelation 20:6).

We believe that God gives His Holy Spirit to dwell in the lives of “born again” believers as a guarantee of our inheritance and salvation through Jesus (Acts 2:38, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:14).

We believe in the transformative process of spiritual development (sanctification) wrought in a believer’s life by the Holy Spirit. The growth involves daily dying to sin and living unto righteousness (Romans 6:1-23), finds expression in a holy life (Hebrews 12:24) and will be culminated at the return of Christ (1 John 3:2).

We believe that every person has worth as a creation of God, and that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

We believe that salvation is a free gift of God, and we are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23).

We believe that forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who believe in Christ as Savior and Lord (John 3:16).

We believe that those accepting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized into Him (Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38).

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the final authority in life and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).

We believe that the church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the tasks of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them to become fully devoted followers of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-16, Matthew 28:19-20)

We believe that every member of the body is a minister;

the Elders and our church team are to help equip the members for their ministry. (1 Peter 2:5, Ephesians 4:11-12)

We believe in divine healing for the spirit, mind, and body; and that this healing is accomplished in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross and appropriated in the believer’s life through prayer.
(Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:17, 1 Peter 2:24, James 5:13-15)

We believe that Jesus Christ will one day return and that all those who have been saved will be with the Lord forever in eternity.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

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Kim Johnson

Kim Johnson was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in English Literature. After college, she moved to Los Angeles and worked as a production supervisor in the film industry for over 20 years, managing TV commercials and music videos.

She moved back to the south in 2015 to be closer to her parents. For five years she lived in the town of Marshall, North Carolina, and one day curiosity led her into the historic church next door where she found Christ.

Wanting to live even closer to her family, she relocated to Cashiers in 2021 and became a member of CBC Highlands. She feels blessed and is eternally grateful to be able to serve this amazing church and the Lord.

Angie Hewins

Angie and Pastor Gary followed the Lord’s leading to CBC after having served on staff at an Atlanta church for 15 years. Her love of the Arts fuels her passion for using them to minister to the Church and as outreach to the local community. She is responsible for the creative arts at CBC and is thankful for those who use their artistic talents as an act of worship. Angie and Gary have served and worshipped at CBC since 2009. They have four adult children and three precious grandchildren.

TBA

David Parrish

Originally from Highlands, David is fascinated with traveling, different cultures, and God’s engagement in our lives.

David graduated from college prepared to teach High School English and to coach Soccer. Immediately following college, he traveled domestically and internationally before securing a teaching and coaching position at Asheboro High School for the next four years.

In 2015 God returned David unexpectedly to Highlands to teach and coach at Highlands High School. It was here that he met Kelsey Stevens, HHS’s Spanish teacher, who led David to Christ, who then led them to marry. Since then, Christ has apprehended David with passion and conviction. In 2019 David committed his life to God’s work and the teaching of His Truth. David and Kelsey have partnered in life and ministry to develop mission- minded youth who engage in God’s word daily and demonstrate God’s unconditional love, locally and globally.

Lindsay Stubblefield

Lindsay and her family have been a part of the CBC family for several years. She has been a volunteer in just about every area of CBC. She has three children, Ryder, Ace & Bennett. Lindsay has been on the volunteer end, so she knows what our children’s volunteers’ desire. She has the ability to lead our volunteers and children toward a more meaningful relationship with Jesus.

Julie Hughes

Julie has been a member of CBC with her husband, Jeremy, and their two boys, Conner and Jayden, for many years now. She has been frequently serving as a volunteer in our Children’s Department. Julie was called into children’s ministry in the fall of 2014 while serving in India with her family at a children’s home for a few months. Since then Julie has grown to be a homeschool mom, tutor of Classical Conversations, a ballet teacher and the Children’s Ministry Leader here at CBC. She considers it all pure joy to teach the Word, play, worship, pray and just to be a part of drawing the kids closer to their Father. As a local family, Julie has been blessed with the opportunity to witness the kid’s God-given gifts and desires to help them learn to use their gifts to share the Father’s love with others.

Kelsey Parrish

Kelsey is originally from Franklin and, after travels in Spain, moved back to the area three years ago. She attended UNCW and graduated from WCU, deciding to pursue Spanish Education following her time in Spain. Her love for Christ and the Spanish language has taken her to Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic on various missions projects. In 2017 she moved back to the US and began a teaching position at Highlands School. There she met her husband-to-be, Buddy Parrish. Last year they welcomed their baby boy, Lyric Judah. Kelsey subsequently left teaching Spanish to better focus on her passion for teaching God’s Word with CBC Youth. Kelsey is excited to grow in relationship with young disciples of the Plateau, where she believes she can encourage fruitful relationships with Christ alongside her husband and son.

Laurie Vanderweile

Laurie and her husband, Chris, joined our CBC family and immediately became involved in the Youth and Worship and Arts Ministry. They have 2 girls, Abby & Kate. Laurie was added to the staff and is currently seeking out those in our congregation who are in need of a little extra care during a difficult time in their lives. She also serves on the Worship & Arts Team and with the Youth.

Anthony DeNardis

Anthony grew up in South West Florida and following his graduation from High School he served his country in The United States Air Force. While on assigned in Tampa Florida, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business at the University of South Florida.

Anthony has led several marketing departments within businesses and organizations. He founded his own Marketing Agency in 2012 and has worked with many businesses across the United States.

Through his life experiences, he has come to see God working in many parts of his life. Anthony, wife Jodie and daughter Zaia moved to Highlands in 2017 and CBC is their Church home since the move. His vision is to expand the Kingdom of God, grow this ministry and our partners; all through the vast marketing resources, his extensive background and life experiences; that God has blessed him with.

Anthony enjoys Baseball, reading and exploring the mountains.

Hannah Adams

Director of Music Education

Hannah Adams has played piano for twenty years, is currently the pianist at her church, and has taught piano students for nine years. Hannah’s passion for music is to uplift and glorify the name of her Savior Jesus Christ. She wishes to pass on a love of music to each of her students and to encourage them to use their abilities to praise God and bless others.

Dylan Lytle

Dylan is originally from Old Fort, NC. He has studied photography for five years, and had an opportunity to move to Highlands in early 2019. He felt God’s calling to stay in the area, and permanently moved to Highlands.

Dylan enjoys fly fishing, backpacking, and rock climbing. He is excited to see what God’s call for his family’s life is up here in the mountains.

Tyler Morrow

Tyler is originally from Rutherfordton, NC. He graduated from Western Carolina University in December of 2020 with a degree in Commercial Music and Audio Production with a concentration in Jazz Guitar. He has attended CBC as musician since September of 2019, but started as a Media Technician / Sound Engineer in August of 2020.

Thomas Bates

Thomas grew up in Atlanta and graduated from The Westminster Schools. Following graduation from Davidson College, Thomas and Lisa (also a Davidson graduate) taught in Kenya for almost two years in neighboring villages, returning to the US in 1984 to be married. After supporting each other through their respective graduate programs (Thomas at Duke University [Natural Resources Management] and Lisa at Clark University [Rural Community Development]), they returned to Africa to work with Save the Children Foundation for 18 months in northern Sudan. After their experience in Sudan, Thomas and Lisa moved to Cashiers where Thomas helped develop Fountainhead Water Company, followed by real estate development for the next 22 years. Thomas and Lisa have three children: Sara (married to Galen and have Ezra), Tucker and Hayden.

The Bates Family has enjoyed membership here at CBC since 1998. Thomas has served as an elder at CBC since 2000 and joined the staff in 2018. He is responsible for CBC’s overall community development.

Kim Johnson

Rodney Beasley

Rodney is originally from Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida area. He went to all the local schools there and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1972 with a degree in accounting. After graduating he went to work for various companies doing accounting work as their chief financial officer. He worked in different business segments such as retail, wholesale and manufacturing for both domestic and international companies. He has two wonderful daughters one in Orlando and one in Virginia Beach, VA. Having always loved Western Carolina he moved to Franklin to be in the midst of the mountains. Within a year of moving to Franklin he became a master gardener in Macon County. His dream job after moving to Franklin was to find a great church and to be able to work alongside of people of faith.

Lisa Bates

As a “Navy brat”, Lisa lived in California, Hawaii, Japan and England before settling with her family in Alexandria, VA. Following graduation from Davidson College, she taught for nearly two years in Kenya in a rural village school, “coincidentally” located one mile from Thomas’ village. Their marriage and graduate degrees soon followed, along with their subsequent return to Africa, working with Save The Children in northeastern Sudan. It was a miraculous series of events that placed them in their current home in Cashiers in 1991, where they have raised their three children, Sara, Tucker and Hayden. Lisa has been involved here at CBC for the past twenty years, serving for the last five in the accounting department. The role of grandmother is her newest joy.

COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH

Highlands, North Carolina