VISION AND BELIEFS

Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church wants to glorify God, grow together, and go to the nations. 


We were created to glorify God and we do so particularly in worship. God's Word is our focus when we gather together to worship.   


We want to be a people who are growing together in God's grace. The Christian life is one of togetherness as we form relationships with others, sharing in sorrows, joys, love, and hope. This is why we gather for worship, prayer, and meals together. 


We want to be a people who go to the nations as Jesus Christ taught in The Great Commission. This is why we support and send missionaries to preach the gospel in Charlotte and throughout the world. 


Read the complete vision statement here. 


Sovereign Grace is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America. For a full statement of our beliefs see the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, and Shorter Catechism. 

STAFF MEMBERS

With over 300 members it is important that godly men shepherd the flock. Our nine Ruling Elders shepherd by example and by praying for, teaching, governing, and disciplining members. Our 12 deacons follow Jesus Christ's example in caring for the needs of the congregation as well as the church property. See a list of our Ruling Elders and Deacons here. There are also multiple staff members:   

  • Rev. DR. WILLIAM BARCLEY

    senior pastor

    Dr. Barcley came to Sovereign Grace in 2007. He is also Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. Previously he was Professor of New Testament at RTS in Jackson, MS, and served as pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church in Learned, MS. He earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Gordon College, a MA in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a PhD in New Testament from Boston University. 


    He has written several books including The Secret of Contentment (P&R, 2010), Gospel Clarity: Challenging the New Perspective on Paul (EP, 2010), 1 & 2 Timothy: EP Study Commentary (EP, 2006), as well as forthcoming commentaries on Colossians and Exodus.


    Bill and his wife Kristy have six children.


    You can listen to his sermons here.

  • Rev. Ben Thomas

    Associate Pastor

    Rev. Thomas came to Sovereign Grace in 2021.  Ben served previously as a pastor at Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, GA and then overseas as a missionary in Sweden and England.  He earned a BA in English from Appalachian State University and an MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary.


    Ben is married to Heidi, and they have four children: Jack, Elliot, Kate, and Josie.


    You can listen to his sermons here.

  • Rev. WILL KEYTON

    ASSISTANT PASTOR

    Rev. Keyton first came to Sovereign Grace as a seminary student and an intern in 2019. Previously he earned his BS in civil engineering from Auburn University and worked as an intern with Reformed University Fellowship at Tennessee Tech University. After graduating with his MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary he spent a year as a pastoral intern at the Independent Presbyterian Church of Savannah, GA. In 2023 he returned to Sovereign Grace as an assistant pastor.


    Will is married to Hope, and they are expecting their first child in May.


    You can listen to his sermons here.

  • REBEKAH SHILLINGLAW

    OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

    Rebekah came to Sovereign Grace in October 2018. She received her BA in Philosophy and Religion from Erskine College in 2007, then had a career in Customer Service following her graduation. She spent the last ten years in various Marketing and Management roles at TruVista, a telecommunications company based in Chester, SC, ending as Director of Customer Operations for the company. 


    Rebekah has two children: Ezra and Hadley. 

  • Alice Church

    DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN's ministry

    Alice has been a member of Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church since 2011. She has a BA in Elementary Education from Clemson University and is originally from Greer, South Carolina. She and her husband, Brian, have three children, Evelyn, Teague, and Reid. Before having children, Alice taught elementary school in South Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama. 

  • Kristin Bostian

    Director of Nurseries

    Kristin has been a member of Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church since 2016. She has an MS in Environmental Education from Montreal College and also works at Latta Nature Preserve as an Outdoor Recreation Specialist for Mecklenburg County. She and her husband Adam have a daughter named Holly. Kristin is originally from Allentown, New Jersey. 

  • Ricky JohnSon

    Intern

    Ricky was born and raised in Augusta, GA.  He attended Georgia Southern University and graduated with a Communication Studies degree in December of 2016.  He then spent four and half years in campus ministry at Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA.  In this time, he met and married his wife Ciara.  In May of 2021, the two moved to Charlotte where Ricky is pursuing an M.Div at Reformed Theological Seminary.


    Ricky is married to Ciara, and they are expecting their first child in July.

  • Jacob Harper

    INTERN

    Jacob grew up in Georgia and graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science from Georgia College and State University in May of 2020. After graduating, Jacob moved to Statesboro, GA, where he was the Director of Youth Ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church for two years. He married his wife Hannah during this time, and in the summer of 2021 they moved to Charlotte, and Jacob began the M.Div program at Reformed Theological Seminary. 


    Jacob and his wife, Hannah, have one newborn son, Brooks.