Pastor Bryan Gantt, Lead Pastor
Pastor Bryan has literally grown up in Agape Christian Fellowship. His dad joined the Pastoral staff at Agape when Bryan was just 10 years old, and he has been an integral part of the ministry as he has grown up in the church. Bryan served on the worship team as a young teen, developing his considerable musical talent before becoming the Worship Team Leader at just 16. He is an accomplished instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and engineer. He has personally taught and developed much of the musical talent that now serves the congregation through our worship band.
Pastor Bryan came on staff as an associate pastor in 2007 and served primarily as our administrative Pastor, running the office, overseeing various aspects of the business of the church, and working with our finance officer. In 2015 his father, Pastor Michael Gantt begin the transition into retirement from the pastoral ministry, and Pastor Bryan was given the responsibility of Lead Pastor. Even though his dad still teaches and helps with the preaching schedule, Pastor Bryan is now our shepherd and faithfully leads us into the next generation of ministry. He is a gifted teacher and expositor of the Word of God who always brings a fresh look at the scriptures.
Pastor Bryan has been married for more than twenty-six years to his wife, Rebecca Lynn. They have seven children: Gabriel Michael (now married to Rachel McCosker), Hannah Lynn (Now Married to Dylan Bohan), Emalee Mariah, Maddisen Daneel (Now married to Trent LaBell), Gunnar Matthew, Jackson Levi, and Aleia Mae. Pastor Bryan and Rebecca are also Grandparents to Tatum, Daniel Henry, and Lucas.
Michael Gantt, Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Michael Gantt has served on our pastoral staff for over 40 years. He has now retired from the role of Lead Pastor, relinquishing those responsibilities to his oldest son, Michael Bryan. Pastor still preaches when called upon and, in addition, assists in leading a men’s mid-week Bible study, providing counsel for the body and other duties as needed. He is also the current head of our Mission Support. In addition to assisting Pastor Bryan with pastoral duties, Pastor Michael maintains a blog site (www.mkgantt.org) and frequently travels nationally and internationally, speaking at conferences and various church-related events. For several years now he has been a featured keynote speaker at several Christian writers conferences.
Pastor Michael is married to Barbara Nichols, his wife of 57 years. They have five children, including Pastor Bryan, as well as 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. They began their ministry together as teenagers, singing gospel music with the Southernaires Gospel Choir in their native North Carolina, before moving to Vermont in 1972 to begin their ministry together as a married couple.
Pastor Michael has been active in missions for many years and engaged in leadership training and church planting. He has conducted many Pastors Training Conferences across Africa and worked with numerous NGOs on leadership development. His work in Africa is chronicled in his book, MAKUTANO, Lives Intersecting to Write God’s Story. This book, along with others Pastor has written, can be found HERE. For more than 15 years, one of Pastor Michael’s primary activities has been the strategic development of a school for the Deaf in Kenya, East Africa. The Immanuel Christian School for the Deaf has over 100 Deaf students in one of the poorest areas of Kenya, and Pastor Michael has easily slipped into the role of “grandfather” to the children and strategist for the school’s development.
Under the auspices of Agape Christian Fellowship, he created the Kenya Development Fund to help develop a suitable campus for Deaf students at Immanuel. He travels frequently to Kenya and has been an energetic financier for the school, traveling across America to raise funds.
Pastor Michael is a much sought after speaker for Men’s Conferences, MIssion Events and Pulpit Supply. To engage with him regarding a special event or church service, you can contact him at (802)579-6681 or at his personal email at mkgantt@gmail.com
