LEADERSHIP 

Jesus Christ is the Head of this church, and His Word serves as the standard by which we conduct ourselves and by which leaders are chosen and how they operate. Our “under-shepherds” serve the church by leading, teaching, praying, exhorting, caring for, guiding, and loving the church with diligence and devotion. Their lives must be marked by godly character and humble submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. They are called by God, confirmed by the church leadership, and affirmed by the congregation-making them accountable to the Lord, to each other, and to the church.

Because of our long history in America, which appreciates democratic values, we tend to view the authority that God's Word grants to elders of a church with suspicion. However, church leadership, biblically defined, strengthens and blesses the church. Furthermore, elders of the church are accountable to Christ, one another, and the body of believers. 1 Timothy 5:19-21 says, "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest may be fearful of sinning. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality."

Clearly, elders are subject to discipline for unrepentant sin just as anyone else is in the church. At the same time, they bear greater responsibility and must answer uniquely to the Lord. If the elders ignore the qualifications for the overseer, the church suffers. That is, in part, why the congregation is called to love, appreciate, and respect their leadership and example (1 Thess 5:12-13; Heb 13:7, 17). If the elders ignore or compromise the qualifications for the overseer (1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9), the church suffers. Likewise, if the church does not submit to them with joy, it is to their own spiritual hurt. 

After graduating with a B.A. in Pastoral Leadership at Liberty University, Matt then received his Masters of Divinity degree at The Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, CA. During that time, Matt also served on staff at Grace Community Church as the V.P. of Grace Community School and as a Pastoral Assistant in the Counseling and Men's Ministries departments. After seminary, Matt graduated from the Grace Advance Academy for specialized training in church plant and revitalization ministries. He then assumed the role as Pastor-teacher of High Point Baptist Church in 2014. In May 2021, Matt completed his Doctor of Ministry degree in Expository Preaching from The Master's Seminary.

Thomas has been a member of High Point Baptist Church since 2015 and serves the church in many various capacities, including as a board member for High Point Classical Academy, Youth Leader, and as an ACBC Certified Counselor, but his main priority has been to serve High Point by leading our music ministry. Thomas is an accomplished musician himself as a music educator at a local middle school, private instructor, and as a participant in the Williamsport Philharmonic. Thomas’ skill and knowledge of music has been a tremendous blessing to our corporate worship in song. He is currently a PhD candidate in music through Liberty University. 

“Grace Advance will seek to place [a pastor] in the church and continue to support the pastor and the church even after the man has been placed through counsel, help, and advice…The ongoing relationship between Grace Advance and the church provides the much needed support that is essential for the longevity of the church.”

Tom has been a lay elder since March, 2010. He serves in Anchored with Bill Shannon, Carl Hargrove, George Crawford, and George Sanders, and in Special Ministries with Rick McLean. Tom is also involved with Grace Advance and serves as a member of the Elders Counsel Handling Advance (ECHA). He and his wife, Stacy, have been married for thirty-three years. They were saved more than twenty-eight years ago, and have been at Grace Community Church since that time. God used Pastor MacArthur’s unwavering proclamation of God’s truth on the radio to bring the Lemans to salvation.

David Torres was born in San Salvador and moved to the States at the age of 6. He came to Christ at age 15. He is a graduate of The Master’s University (BA ’01) and The Master’s Seminary (MDiv ’06; ThM ‘19). He served as a pastor-teacher in Garden Valley, CA for 8 years. In 2014, he returned to Grace to You as the GAV Radio Producer serving the Spanish speaking world through the teaching ministry of John MacArthur. He serves in the Joint Heirs Fellowship Group and on the council for Grace Advance. He also serves as a Section Instructor at TMS. He was married to Angie in 2000, and they have seven children: Isaiah, Emilia, Micah, Eva, Isabella, Elizabeth, and Jeremiah.