Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Dr. Jeffrey Sholar

Lead Pastor

Pastor Jeffrey is a native to southeastern North Carolina - a Duplin county boy from the crossroads community of Pin Hook. He was raised on a farm and came from a large family. Jeffrey worked with Carroll’s Foods in the late 1990s and accepted the call into ministry in November of 2001. In 2002, he was hired by First Baptist Church of Wallace NC as their minister of youth. While serving FBC-Wallace, he attended Campbell University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and a Master of Divinity Degree with emphasis on Pastoral Care and Preaching. Upon completion of his Master of Divinity, Jeffrey transitioned into his first senior pastor position by accepting the call to Sawyer’s Creek Baptist Church in Camden NC. He later moved to Cedar Falls Baptist Church in Fayetteville NC in 2012 and served them for seven years. While serving as senior pastor at CFBC, Jeffrey earned a Doctor of Ministry from Campbell University Divinity School in 2017. He is a member of the Board of Ministers at Campbell University and a licensed Prepare-Enrich counselor. Jeffrey has a passion for marriage ministry and helping young couples enrich their marriages.

Pastor Jeffrey is married to his wife, Amanda, and the father of a daughter, Isabella, and son, Wells. He enjoys the time he spends with his family - being a husband and dad. When personal time becomes available, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and golf.

Mr. Josh Manley

Director of Student and Missions Ministries

Josh is a proud Texan who grew up on the mission field in Eastern Europe. He was introduced to the ministry at a very young age by helping his parents with their missionary efforts. He answered the call to ministry after graduating from Liberty University with a degree in International Relations in 2014. Following Liberty, Josh graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity in Christian Ethics in 2020. After graduating from SEBTS, Josh served at FBC Durham while he worked as a teacher in Raleigh. Josh enjoys travel, mountain cabins, and a good book with a great cup of coffee.

Josh has been married to his beautiful wife, Nayab, since 2023, and they have a sweet daughter, Eliza.

Dr. Danny Poyner

Minister of Music and Worship

Pastor Danny is a native of central North Carolina, where he grew up running around farms throughout Johnston County. Prior to surrendering to full-time ministry, he was working in radio broadcasting and promotions. Danny holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Campbell University,  a Master of Divinity in Worship Leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Education in Discipleship and Mentoring from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as church pianist since age 10 and in music and worship ministry for over 25 years.

Deuteronomy 8 is the focus of his ministry: "Take care lest you forget the Lord your God." (Deut 8:11)

Pastor Danny is married to his wife, Jill, and they have two boys, Samuel and Vincent.

Joy Bryant

Ministry Assistant

Office: (919) 779-0434 ext. 221

Penny Wilkinson

Ministry Assistant

Office: (919) 779-0434 ext. 222

Janet Powell

Financial Secretary

Taylor Norris

The Growing Place Director

Office: (919) 661-0872 or (919) 779-0434 ext. 232