OUR PASTORS
Rev. Brad Ferguson
Pastor Brad is originally from New Brunswick, Canada. Having completed his B.S. degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he moved to Wake Forest, NC in 1984 and enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He completed a Master of Divinity with Religious
Education degree in 1987. While in Seminary, Brad met the former Dianne Alston of Raleigh, NC and they were married in 1987. Brad has done additional training at UNC Hospitals (Chapel Hill, NC) in the area of pastoral care and counseling and at Lifeway Christian Resources (Nashville, TN) in the area of leadership development. He has served three different churches in the Raleigh area. Brad became Pastor of New Beginnings Community Church in February of 2006.
In May of 2021, Dianne went home to be with the Lord. This was a difficult time for our entire church community. Out of his experience with loss, our church began offering GriefShare support groups for those dealing with grief.
God and the church ministered to Pastor Brad during his journey with grief and in 2022, God brought Donna Singer into his life and they were married in April 2023. Donna is the foster parent to three teenagers. Raising teenagers again can be a challenge, but Donna and Brad are grateful to provide a loving home to these great kids.
Brad has six children (Nathan, Aaron, Jacob, Luci, Amanda and Robert) and five grandchildren (Margot, Blaire, Harper, J.J. and Caroline). JJ and Caroline are with their Grammie in heaven.
Pastor Austin, our Next Generations Pastor, is originally from south New Jersey and also spent time in Oklahoma. He met his wife, Meagan, on the debate team at Liberty University. During his time there, he studied Pastoral Ministries and completed a minor in Biblical Languages. In addition to the Debate Team, Austin participated in campus spiritual leadership and intramural sports.
He completed an internship at a church in Boston, as well as local service projects around campus. Austin went on to receive his Master of Divinity Degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received an award for his preaching during his studies at Southeastern.
Austin worked as a youth pastor in the Raleigh area before coming to New Beginnings Community Church in 2020. He teaches middle and high school students on Wednesday night youth group, leads discipleship, and coordinates youth events. He also oversees the children’s ministries of the church. He enjoys working with students in the community through partnerships with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, physical education at the Academy of Coastal Carolina, and Communities in Schools.
Austin and Meagan have 2 children and participate in local foster care ministries. He is passionate about helping students learn to read and understand God’s Word for themselves. Austin loves to travel, explore nature with his kids, and experiment with new recipes on his smoker. When he’s not planning a youth event, Austin can be found playing or watching basketball. Go OKC Thunder!
OUR ELDERS
Monte Bartlett
Although Monte accepted Christ at a young age, his service and commitment to the Lord didn’t come until years later. He earned his master’s degree in Theology and planted a successful, growing church. Later, while working as a church consultant, Monte obtained his Doctorate in Theology. During over 30 years in ministry, Monte has served in many capacities in the local church. His business experience has included such various positions as sales, management, and owning his own company, as well as serving seven years in law enforcement. Monte currently serves as a consultant to churches via Dr. John Maxwell's ministry, INJOY. Monte and his wife, Sherry, have three children and six grandchildren. He enjoys fishing, traveling with Sherry to see God’s wonderful creation, discipling men in the local church, continuing to study the Word, cooking, and spending time at his home on Oak Island, where they now reside.
Larry Heustess
Larry has lived in Southeast North Carolina all his life. Music has always been a part of Larry’s life. He was a member of Brotherly Love in the early 1970s. This was a community ensemble that traveled to many churches singing. Larry attended Southeastern Community College where he met the love of his life and later his wife and lifelong companion, Deborah Hall. They have two daughters and six grandchildren. Larry has worked for 32 years with Woodmen Life as an agent and area manager. Larry and Deborah have been members of New Beginnings Community Church since 2004. Larry facilitates an adult bible study and helps to coordinate the AWANA program. Larry enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. He also loves singing, fishing, golf, and one on one witnessing. He has been a Gideon since 1995. He is rarely without a Gideon personal workers testament that he offers to someone as the Holy Spirit leads.
Lewis Shaw
Lewis grew up in the Chadbourn area of Columbus County, NC. He graduated from West Columbus High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University. He worked in the power delivery industry for 37 years and has recently retired after a 33-year career at Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. Lewis meet his wife, Ardith Hooks while in kindergarten at Whiteville, started dating in high school, and have been married for 37 years. They have two daughters that live in Garner, NC, and have two grandchildren, also in Garner. He considers himself blessed to have grown up surrounded by a family of believers. Lewis has been a member of New Beginnings Community Church since 2002. Previously at NBCC he has served as a deacon, AWANA game director, pastor search committee and advisory board member. Outside of NBCC, Lewis enjoys time with the grandchildren, participating in the Gideon ministry, following NC State athletics, and anything outdoors.
Bruce Sullivan
Bruce Sullivan joined New Beginnings four years ago. Previously a native of Charlotte, Bruce and his wife Cyndy moved to Brunswick County 25 years ago. They have three daughters, Vikery, Sharyn and Kelly and a son Jeremy who passed away in October of 2021. Bruce’s main concern with the kids growing up was that they know Jesus as their Savior. He must have also taught them to be fruitful and multiply since he has 12 grandchildren (and several honorary grandkids). Bruce was ordained as a deacon and served in the church in which he grew up , Midwood Baptist Church in Charlotte. He served on the deacon board at Brunswick Island Baptist where he also worked with Awana, VBS, children, youth and was active in the Men’s Ministry and Sunday School. Bruce sang in the choir and with the Praise and Worship Team. Since coming to New Beginnings, Bruce has been using his giftedness to serve our church family. Currently serving as a volunteer with our youth ministry and also as a deacon. Bruce has been active in Men’s ministry and community service projects.