Apostolic Tabernacle of Refuge

Meet Our Pastor: Stephen Spiers

Pastor Stephen Spiers, alongside his wife Theresa Spiers, founded Apostolic Tabernacle of Refuge in June of 2016 with a vision to establish a sanctuary for those who have experienced hurt, abuse, and rejection from both society and traditional religion.

With over 35 years of dedicated ministry experience, Pastor Spiers has served in various roles including Sunday School teacher, Youth pastor, Evangelist, and now as our beloved Pastor. His leadership is marked by a deep commitment to guiding individuals towards spiritual growth and restoration.

Sis. Theresa Spiers brings her own wealth of experience in nurturing and mentoring young girls and women, enriching our church community with her compassionate guidance and wisdom.

Pastor Stephen and Sis. Theresa Spiers have been married for 37 years and are blessed with 3 children and 8 grandchildren, all of whom serve in ministry in various capacities. Their family exemplifies our church's commitment to service and dedication to spreading the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Meet Our Youth Directors: Bro. Seth and Sis. Brittany Spiers

Bro. Seth and Sis. Brittany Spiers bring a wealth of passion and dedication to our Youth Ministry as directors. With a heart for mentoring and nurturing young people in their faith journey, they are committed to helping youth love God and grow spiritually.

Bro. Seth has dedicated his adult life to ministry, teaching Bible studies, leading discipleship classes, playing drums for our worship team, and serving as the B-Free from Addiction, IT, and youth director. Currently completing the Hope Corps program through Wilson University, he continues to deepen his knowledge and commitment to ministry.

Sis. Brittany has served in ministry for the past 3 years as social media and graphic design manager, lead worship singer, youth leader, and youth and kids choir director, bringing her vibrant leadership and love for worship to our youth community. She has also completed Hope Corps classes through Wilson University, enhancing her ability to effectively mentor and guide young hearts.

Married for 3 years, Bro. Seth and Sis. Brittany are proud parents of 2 children. Together, they exemplify our church's mission to inspire and empower youth to live out their faith boldly and passionately.

Meet Our Sunday School Directors: Bro. Jeremiah and Sis. Brittany McLaurin

Bro. Jeremiah McLaurin brings a wealth of experience to our Sunday School leadership, with 10 years of ministry serving as a youth minister, Sunday School director, and discipleship teacher. He is currently pursuing a degree certificate in ministry and leadership through Wilson University and is a graduate of Hope Corps also through Wilson University.

Sis. Brittany McLaurin has dedicated her life to ministry, participating in various roles such as singing, playing piano, teaching Sunday School, and leading worship. She, too, is a graduate of Hope Corps and holds a BSBA. Currently, she is pursuing an MBA with a focus in leadership.

Together, Bro. Jeremiah and Sis. Brittany McLaurin have been married for 17 years and are blessed with 3 children. Their commitment to ministry and leadership enriches our church community, inspiring growth and spiritual development among our members.

Meet Our Assistant Sunday School Directors: Bro. Armand and Sis. Darian Falgoust

Bro. Armand and Sis. Darian Falgoust bring a heartfelt dedication to our children's ministry as Assistant Sunday School Directors. With over a year of service, they possess a deep passion for teaching and nurturing children in their faith journey.

Sis. Darian Falgoust is actively pursuing a degree certificate in Christian counseling through Wilson University and plays a vital role in facilitating our B-Free Addiction Recovery Class. Her commitment to holistic ministry is evident in her compassionate leadership.

Bro. Armand Falgoust's passion lies in teaching Bible studies and discipleship classes at ATR, where he imparts spiritual wisdom and guidance to our church community. He is currently pursuing a ministry leadership certificate through Wilson University. Both Bro. Armand and Sis. Darian also serve on our praise team, uplifting our congregation through worship.

Married for 3 years, they are proud parents of 3 children. Their dedication and enthusiasm make them invaluable members of our Kids Ministry team, fostering a nurturing environment where children can grow in their faith and relationship with God.

Meet Our Nursery Teachers: Sis. Shayna Alford and Sis. Kaitlyn Bryant

Sis. Shayna Alford brings over 10 years of dedicated experience to our Nursery and Kids Ministry. Holding an AAS in Early Education and currently completing the Hope Corps program through Wilson University, she is deeply committed to nurturing young hearts in their faith journey. Known for her warm rapport with children, Sis. Shayna is beloved by our little ones and also serves on our praise team, uplifting our congregation through worship.

Sis. Kaitlyn Bryant has recently joined our Nursery program with a passion for teaching young children about God. She quickly formed a special bond with the kids, becoming a mentor and trusted guide in their spiritual growth. Sis. Kaitlyn's dedication extends to serving on our praise team, where she continues to inspire through music and worship.

Together, Sis. Shayna Alford and Sis. Kaitlyn Bryant exemplify the nurturing spirit of our Nursery program, providing a loving and supportive environment where our youngest members can learn, grow, and experience God's love.

Meet Our Kids Ministry Teen Interns: Abby Gravely and JoAnna McLaurin

Abby Gravely and JoAnna McLaurin bring enthusiasm and a heart for service to our Kids Ministry as teen interns. With a shared passion for mentoring and nurturing young hearts, they play a vital role in creating a positive and engaging environment for our children.

Abby and JoAnna assist in various activities such as serving snacks, helping with crafts, leading dance sessions, and ensuring every child has a wonderful experience in our ministry. Their dedication and willingness to serve are deeply appreciated by our team and the families they impact.

We are grateful to Abby Gravely and JoAnna McLaurin for their commitment and invaluable contributions to our Kids Ministry, where they inspire and uplift our young members with their enthusiasm and care.