Our ministry staff is made up of dedicated followers of Christ who have a passion for serving Christ and His church. Don't hesitate to e-mail or call them with any questions or issues. You can reach the staff at Gayton's Church Office (804-360-2801), or e-mail them via the links below.
Phil Faig, Senior Pastor
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Phil began his ministry as Gayton’s second Pastor on March 27, 2005. He is a graduate of James Madison University (Go Dukes!) and the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. His 20 years of ministry experience includes being a new church pastor for a congregation in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN and the lead pastor for an inner-suburban church in Arlington, Va.
A native of Greensboro, North Carolina Phil welcomes hints as to where to find North Carolina BBQ here in his beloved adopted home of Virginia. He is married to his wonderful wife Jody and has two teen-aged children, Alexander and Margeaux. His hobbies include: running, having a great cup of coffee with friends and taking walks with Jody and their two dogs, Marley & Skipper.
Phil also has a passion for seeing new expressions of the church started throughout our region and is involved in an exciting new initiative with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board to launch a movement that has a goal of starting 300 new expressions of the church over the next 7 years. For more information about the Virginia Church Multiplication Initiative please click here.
Shawn Allen, Associate Pastor of Worship Arts
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Shawn was born and raised in Richmond, VA (with a brief stint in Louisville, KY). After earning degrees in Biblical Studies and Divinity, Shawn helped start churches in Virginia, Florida, and Massachusetts. Before coming to GBC, Shawn also pastored a 250-year old church in Massachusetts.
In June of 2006 Shawn began his current ministry as Associate Pastor of Worship Arts at Gayton. Shawn has a beautiful wife, Sara, and three delightful children: Nell (9), Grace (6) and Walker (4).
Shawn’s favorite ways to spend free time are improvising on the piano, swimming in a warm ocean, competing with anyone in just about any type of game, and telling extemporaneous stories to his kids.
Kristin Prasad, Minister of Children & Operations
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Kristin was born in Massachusetts, and spent her growing up years just outside of Chicago and Boston. Though raised in the north, she has been a southerner since her early days at the University of Virginia, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s in Teaching. Her husband’s job brought them to Richmond, where she worked full-time raising their young children before joining the staff team in January of 2002.
Kristin first joined the GBC staff as the Director of AGAPE Preschool. In August of 2006, she became Children’s Minister, and in December of 2008 added the responsibilities of Minister of Operations.
Kristin is married to Raj and has three fabulous children, Alia (14), Kaya (12), and Tyrnan (9). Their family pets are fondly known as lazy cat, crazy cat, and runs-into-walls cat.
In her spare time, Kristin enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, reading, and creating spreadsheets.
Michael Gunter, Minister of Adult Discipleship & Senior Adults
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Michael is relatively new to Richmond. Born in California and raised in Alaska and Nevada, he eventually found his way to the South as a college student. He is a graduate of the Baptist College of Charleston and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Michael’s journey in ministry has taken him to the Big Sky country of Wyoming and the hills of eastern Tennessee. He began his ministry here at GBC in October 2007. Michael and his lovely wife, Tammi, have two children: Erik (13) and Shea (8).
Michael enjoys writing in local coffee shops, reading whenever and wherever, and traveling and exploring life with his wife and kids – all set to an ongoing, eclectic musical soundtrack.
Rhonda Holland, Associate Children’s Minister
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Rhonda was born in the historic college town of Fredericksburg, Virginia where she grew up with many relatives close by. Upon graduating from high school, she moved to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. After earning a Fine Arts Degree, she apprenticed under a master chef to become a sous chef in a local restaurant. Rhonda met her husband, Bert, during this time and left the restaurant business to move to Goochland and become a full time wife and mom.
She and her family began attending GBC in 1996. Rhonda soon became active in the children's programs and joined the children's ministry team. She has enjoyed working and growing with the children and families at GBC. Rhonda is excited to be a part of the staff and looks forward to helping our ministry grow.
Rhonda and Bert now live in Henrico County and are raising their beautiful children, Zach (17), Julia (13), and Max (9). They spend their spare time on the water and in the sun.
Rhonda enjoys cooking, art projects with her kids and hanging out with friends and family.
Aaron Lee, Associate Pastor of Youth - Lower School
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Aaron was born in Richmond and has spent his life covering every corner of the city. After graduating from the University of Richmond, he went on to the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond where he is about to finish a Masters of Divinity.
He has spent time on staff at two other Richmond area churches, focusing on youth ministry and missions, and has been camp pastor, worship leader and Bible study leader for mission projects and weekend retreats across the Commonwealth. Aaron has also travelled overseas on mission, including Austria, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Zimbabwe.
Aaron and his wife, Kim, a Roanoke native, were married in July 2008 and moved to the West End where Kim is a social worker.
In his spare time, Aaron enjoys watching baseball, college football (the Spiders and Hokies), reading, writing and exploring the river city on foot or by bike.
Michael Alsop, Associate Pastor of Youth - Upper School
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Michael joined GBC's staff in July 2010. He and his fiance, Katelyn, will be married on 10/10/10. Michael has worked with Young Life and Crossroads Worldwide Ministries, and most recently served alongside CNU President Paul Trible.
Lyn Voige, Administrative Assistant
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Lyn was born in Lexington, KY and lived there until 1996. She has a B.S. from the College of Allied Health at the University of Kentucky where she taught in the Dental Hygiene program. She also worked in a private dental practice for 20 years.
After moves to Little Rock, AR; Columbus, OH; and Nashville, TN her family moved to Richmond in 2003. Lyn and her wonderful husband, John, joined Gayton in 2003 and Lyn has enjoyed working at GBC since January 2006. They have two young adult children, Web and Jaclyn.
Her hobbies include cooking and spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading a great book on the beach.
Melissa Strong, Administrative Assistant
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In January of 2009, Melissa began as Administrative Assistant to the Senior and Youth pastors here at Gayton. She feels very blessed to be able to serve our Lord in this position. She loves the small church feel of Gayton and being able to get to know others through the Fellowship team.
Melissa is a native of Salem, VA where she was a member of Fort Lewis Baptist Church. She has fond memories of the youth program there, especially youth mission trips. Melissa graduated from JMU and enjoyed time in the Caribbean before moving to Richmond. In recent years, Melissa worked in Int’l Customer Service and Inventory Control in the chemical industry.
Melissa is married to her supportive and loving husband, Wes, and has two beautiful daughters, Amanda (8) and Emily (6). When she has free time, Melissa likes to play tennis, relax on the beach (preferably white sand with clear blue water), read with Amanda and Emily, and enjoy dinner and a movie with Wes.
