Leadership

Bishop Gregory T. Lightner, IV

Bishop Lightner resides in Ridgeland, S.C. along with his wife of over 20 years, First Lady Karen Lightner. They have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. He is not only a man of God and a dedicated family man; he is also a highly sought-after Pastry Chef, who delights in designing one of a kind cakes, and desserts.

Bishop was raised under the late Prophet James E. Peacock of True Church of Deliverance in Portsmouth VA. He received Christ at the age of 14. He was ordained on July 18, 1998 by the last Pastor Lila Agee, Overseer of Pentecostal Assembly Church of Deliverance, Inc. in Danville, VA. Pastor Lightner was ordained into the Baptist Body on November 13, 2009 by Pastor Prince A. Davis of 2nd Prince of Peace Baptist Church in New York City, N.Y.  It was on September 18th 2011 that Pastor Gregory Lightner was ordained as Pastor by Bishop Robert Branch of Healing Foundation Macedonia Church of The 21st Century, in Suffolk, VA.

Bishop Lightner can currently be seen on "The Voice of Kings" talk show hosted by Bishop Robert Knight, Jr. as well as The NOW Network on Saturday mornings at 7 AM. He and his wife hosts "Is Love Enough", a raadio show on Savannah's WRUU 107.5 FM, which airs each Thursday at 5 PM.

Whether in the pulpit on television, or the kitchen, Bishop Lightner's character remains the same. He is a God-fearing, family man who is dedicated to winning Souls for the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Karen Lightner

Pastor Karen Lightner Pastor Karen Lightner is a native of Ridgeland, South Carolina and was married to Gregory Lightner on June 18, 1994. They moved to Charlottesville, VA shortly afterwards and in 1998 took heed to the voice of the Lord and returned to Ridgeland. She is the mother of five with three grandchildren. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, she serves as the First Lady and Pastor of GCJC.

After two years of seeking God’s face through fasting alone and later with several intercessors, Bishop Lightner (her husband) accepted the call to establish a church in Hardeeville, SC.  She and her husband were ordained as pastors of “Unity Chapel GCJC” on July 10, 2011 by Bishop Robert Branch of Healing Foundation Macedonia Church in Suffolk, VA.

On September 22, 2013, Bishop Robert Branch, Presiding Prelate of Church of Deliverance (Suffolk, VA) consecrated Pastor Lightner alongside Lady-Elect K. Lightner as Bishop the over body of GCJC.

Her She was ordained on 07/22/2018 under the leadership of Bishop Lightner (GCJC). When describing herself, she comments that she “has a heart for all people and believe that everybody is somebody.” She is an exemplary leader with a quiet strength that illustrates a good example to young women. She is fervent about walking alongside her husband, serving the ministry and enjoys spending time with her family.

Her favorite scripture is Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”

She was ordained on July 22, 2018 under the leadership of Bishop Lightner. When describing herself, she comments that she "has a heart for all people and believe that everybody is somebody". She is an expemplary leader with a quiet strength that illustrates character, integrity and grace. She is a good example to young women in her community.

She is fervent about walking alongside her husband, serving the ministry and enjoys spending time with her family.

Global Overseer Frances Lightner-Peacock

Apostle-Designate Frances Lightner-Peacock is a native of North Carolina.  She has three daughters and one son. She is also a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. All her life, she has had a genuine love and concern for others. She calls it her "mother's love". Her exciting personality and magnetic smile always draw people to her. She describes herself as a "hand-clapping, foot-stomping, speaking in tongues (as the Holy Ghost gives utterance), anointed woman of God". She strives to keep up with what's going on in the world. She believes in teaching spiritual and physical healing for the TOTAL person, by the "POWER" of God.

Chief Apostle Alberta Gray

Chief Apostle Gray currently serves as the Prophet (Elder) under the Glorious Church of Jesus Christ that has been relocated to Hardeeville, SC. She answered her call to preach in 1994 under “Miracles in Motion Ministry” in Houston, Texas. In 1995, she relocated to Port Arthur, TX where she continued the work of the Lord under Christ Temple. Later in 1998, she returned to Houston and helped to establish The Glorious Church of Jesus Christ under Pastor Donald Nya.

In 2001 she accepted her call as Apostle under “The Glorious Church of Jesus Christ”, which was then founded and located in Houston, TX. Apostle Gray also founded various ministries located throughout Houston, such as “Manna From Heaven”, “Abdiel’s Outreach Ministries” as well as “Ascending and Descending Ministries”. After moving back to South Carolina Apostle Gray worked with many pastors to aide them in the work of the Kingdom.

Apostle Gray has obtained many accolades and degrees throughout her time in the ministry. She currently holds an Associate Degree in Technology, a BS in Professional Writing, a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Strategic Leadership. Along with her increasing knowledge, she prefers to be called a “Servant of God” (Abdiel’s) rather than anything else.

She has worked with many nonprofit organizations, both secular and non-secular, to aide in various causes for God’s Kingdom. The Lord has bestowed upon her the anointing of favor for the people of God.

Some of the accomplishments that God has allowed her to be blessed with are: Deans List (Fall 1993, Spring 1994), Honors Graduate (HCC), Servant Award, Ministerial Award (Miracles in Motion), Community Recognition (Abdiel’s Outreach Ministry), Teacher’s Award (Students-TCL), Certificate of Recognition-(NLICC) and many other awards of Honor.

Apostle Gray is the daughter of the late (George) and Sarah Brown Rhodan and is the youngest of five children. She has one daughter, Ashley, and two grandchildren, named Alanna and Albert.

In the little time that she has, she enjoys spending time with her family and making precious memories with her grandchildren. She takes the things of God seriously and never misses an opportunity for “teachable moments”. She strives to instill wisdom and the principles of Christ in others and loves to encourage and train young leaders.

Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”

Evangelist Janet White

Minister White is a native of Pineland, South Carolina. She was raised in church and moved to the Lowcountry with her late husband in 1988. She is a mother of four and have four grandchildren.

She was ordained on April 29, 2018 by Bishop Gregory Lightner, IV. She is passionate about helping young women understand how special they are and discover their worth in Christ. She has a heart for Outreach. She believes that God's Word carries power and has high expectations for the ministry that God has given to her.

Teacher Kimberly Rhodan

Teacher Kimberly Rhodan is a native of South Carolina and is the daughter of Sister Shirley M. Rhodan. She has three sisters and two nephews. Minister Rhodan grew up singing and acting in plays in church and came to Christ at an early age at Beaufort Bible Chapel. After high school, Minister Kimberly moved to Houston, Texas. It was there that she first witnessed the devastation of the homeless and her heart was moved to helping people. She began ministry work in 1994 in Houston, Texas at Miracles in Motion, a homeless and drug rehabilitation church, under the leadership of Pastor Herschel C. Walker.  Currently Minister Rhodan was pursuing a degree in Music and Literature.  For several years Minister Rhodan helped several ministries and churches with various gifts given to her by God.  Her musical abilities lead her to become the Minister of Music and Worship Leader for Abdiel’s Outreach Ministries. After the Ministry 

relocated back to Beaufort South Carolina, Minister Rhodan returned and received a degree in Business.

Being led by God, Minister Rhodan joined New Life in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Cynthia M. Pringle in 2010.  It was there where Minister Rhodan established “The Exodus” Newsletter for New Life in Christ Church located on Saint Helena Island.  In 2011 she also wrote and produced her first skit. While being faithful to the Lord, Minister Rhodan also felt a call to community by helping the unfortunate.  Minister Rhodan was a Foster parent for the State of South Carolina from 2013 until 2017.  Minister Rhodan has also been an active member of Beaufort Humane Association for several years and headed the annual rabies clinics for Beaufort County from 2007-2017.  Minister Rhodan worked for the State of South Carolina until she heard the call from God for full time ministry in 2017; she entered full time ministry in 2018.

Minister Rhodan being always ready to help, became the director of daily operations of Glorious Church Community Foodbank in 2018.  After being happy with the work and the people Minister Rhodan joined Unity the Glorious Church in 2018, founded by Bishop Gregory T Lightner; and was appointed Praise and Worship leader in the same year.  At Unity, GCJC in Hardeeville, SC after much prayer and fasting Minister Rhodan accepted her calling as Teacher and preached her first sermon in December of 2018. In 2019, Minister Rhodan established the Young Adult ministry and created the church website. Moreover, she executed the first homeless initiative where the needy were served in Hardeeville, SC. God gave her the vision for “Low Country Good Shepherd” to meet the needs of the community, its homeless and to establish a community liaison for the people. In 2020, Low Country Good Shepherd was established. She believes in helping people and she also has a love for animals.

On October 24th, 2020, she was ordained "Teacher Kimberly Rhodan", the first Teacher of the Glorious Church Body. Teacher Kim is a busy woman with lots of irons in the fire. In addition to cultivating Low Country Good Shepherd, the Lord has blessed her with a business of her own called “Making Perfect Scents”. Teacher Kim enjoys documentaries, writing, website design, fostering/rehabilitating animals, and shopping.

Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord. Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Pastor Margie Howard

Elder Howard is a Savannah, Georgia native who moved to the Lowcountry in 1997.

Elder Howard is the daughter of the late Isaac Esaw and Ella Stevenson. She has been blessed with two daughters, Ellexis and LaTraveiah Holmes and she is the wife of Jaquelle Howard. Margie has a heart for people, and she enjoys helping people!

At the age of thirteen, under the leadership of the late Apostle Carrie Smith, she accepted the Lord as her personal savior and started learning how to live as a Christian. At the age of nineteen Margie became a member of Greater Evangelistic Deliverance Church under the Leadership of Apostle Mary Ann Frazier. During her Christian experience at GEDC, she was ordained first as a Missionary and later as an Evangelist. She was later appointed as “Youth Pastor” and also served as an armor bearer. She wore several hats at GEDC while teaching Sunday school, bible study as well as vacation bible school.

She directed both adult and children’s choirs and started a youth ministry called “Youth on the Move for Christ”.  She also worked as the church administrator.

In 2018 Margie became a member of The Glorious Church of Jesus Christ under the Leadership of Bishop Gregory T. and Pastor Karen Lightner. As she continues to serve in humility, God has blessed her to walk as an Elder and he has allowed her to birth “Love House Ministry”, under Chief Apostle Alberta Gray, of The Glorious Church of Jesus Christ. She is excited about this place that God is allowing her to walk, serve, and rest in while he continues to cultivate her hands. In her own words, she states “I am who God says I am, and I humbly answered the call to be his servant.”

Associate Pastor Brittney Lee

Associate Pastor Brittney Sheftall-Lee was born into a Christian family she’s a native South Carolinian who grew up in the Low Country. She attended local public schools. She professed her faith in Jesus and was baptized at a young aged. She served on the children and young adult choir, then later as an usher.

Brittney comes from a long line of ministers of the gospel. She became a member of The GCOJC in 2013 and in April 2018 she answered the called to ministry. She served as Youth Pastor from 2018-2020.

One of her favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13  “I can do all things though Christ who Strengthens me.”

Brittney has a heart for people--especially children. She is a wife, mother but most importantly she’s a servant of the Most High. She seeks to hear from GOD and believes in preaching in and out of season.

She was ordained on November 21, 2021 as Pastor and is currently serving as the Associate Pastor of Unity, GCJC located in Hardeeville, SC.

Pastor Courtney Abney

Minister Courtney Abney was born and raised on St. Helena Island, SC and is the daughter of Sister Georgette Rhodan. Minister Abney grew up singing with her cousins in church and came to Christ at the age of 10 at Beaufort Bible Chapel.

She later joined New Life in Christ under the leadership of Pastor Cynthia M. Pringle, where she served as an Armor Bearer and Junior Intercessor. In 2004, after hearing the voice of the Lord, Minister Abney gave her initial sermon at the age of 17 and was later ordained a Minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

After graduating from high school, Minister Abney went on to further her education at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, where she sang on the university’s Gospel Choir. While attending college she met the prince that she was believing God for, her husband Reco Abney. They have been married for 12 years. The Abney’s moved to Greenwood, SC where they began raising their three children: Reco Jr., Neriyah, and Kailen.

After a period of prayer and seeking, the Abney’s found a church home at Vision Ministries, Inc. under the leadership of Apostle Chester and Pastor Joanne Miller. While serving at Vision Ministries, Minister Abney sang on the praise team, served as an Armor Bearer, an Intercessor, and held a leadership role as a Minister. Being led by God, Minister Abney alongside her husband moved to Greer, SC where they currently reside.

Minister Abney works at DaVita where she has been employed since 2014 and is currently pursuing a Nursing degree. When she has free time, she enjoys spending it with her family, shopping and reading. She, along with her husband, was ordained on November 21, 2021 and are pastors of Abounding Grace GCJC.

Her favorite scripture is Psalms 27:1(NLT) “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”

Pastor Reco Abney

Pastor Reco Abney was born and raised in Ninety-Six, SC and is the son of Brother Jerry Roman and Evangelist April Sibert. He is the oldest son of six children, having 4 sisters and 1 brother. Deacon Abney has always been known for having a meek spirit and is a role model to his friends and family. He knew he was a peculiar child from a young age, never being one to follow the crowd. He grew up in church with his family at New Jerusalem Church under the leadership of the late Reverend George Bates and accepting Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age. As a teenager, Deacon Abney was baptized on a cold Sunday morning at Refuge Temple under the leadership of Elder Brown.

Deacon Abney is well known in his hometown for his leadership and skill on and off the football field. After high school, Deacon Abney attended Coastal Carolina University where he met the love of his life, Courtney Abney. They have been married for 12 years and have three beautiful children: Reco Jr., Neriyah, and Kailen. Deacon Abney and his wife moved to Greenwood, SC where he graduated from Piedmont Technical College with a degree in Automotive Technology. The Abney’s began raising their family and attended church at Vision Ministries, Inc. under the leadership of Apostle Chester and Pastor Joanne Miller. Deacon Abney served as an Armor Bearer and was ordained as a Deacon in 2016.

After much prayer and fasting, Deacon Abney and his family moved to Greer, SC where they currently reside. He currently works at BMW Manufacturing Co., where he has been building dreams for 7 years. He continues to pursue higher heights and deeper depths in his relationship with God and makes an impact on each life he encounters. Although he is a man of few words, he provides a word of encouragement to someone when they need it most. He was ordained as Pastor on November 21, 2021. He and his wife are pastors of Abounding Grace.

Deacon Abney is a car enthusiast and can be found repairing cars in his spare time. He also enjoys watching documentaries, spending time outdoors, and spending time with his family. He finds strength in his favorite scripture Psalm 91.