Gary Combs

Senior Pastor

Gary is our senior pastor. Our church began as a small group meeting in his living room and launched in January 1992. Gary grew up in Bristol, Virginia. After earning a B.A. in Music from Radford University, he worked twelve years in the corporate world. He left his job in 1991 to answer God’s call to ministry. He attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated with a M.Div. with Biblical Languages. Gary and his wife, Robin, have three married children and nine grandchildren.

Jonathan Combs

Lead Pastor, Rocky Mount Campus

He and his family moved to Rocky Mount in 2015 to plant Eastgate Rocky Mount after graduating from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and working as an associate pastor in Greenville, NC for a year. Jonathan is a native of Wilson, NC and is married to Nicole. They have 4 children.

Stephen Combs

Worship Pastor

Stephen attended East Carolina University, where he received a B.A. in Music, and Liberty University, where he received a M.A. in Worship Leadership. He has been on staff with Eastgate since July of 2005. Stephen has a passion for song-writing, leadership, and discipleship. He oversees our worship teams and is our graphic designer. Follow his music at www.stephenacombs.com.

Jonathan Minter

Pastor of Administration and Children

Jonathan was born in Virginia Beach, VA and began working full-time for our church in 2012 after 14 years in the IT industry. He has a BS in Psychology and an MS in Information Technology. His family moved to Wilson and began attending in 2007. Jonathan oversees our Children’s Ministry, technology and finances. He is also an adjunct instructor at Wilson Community College and does freelance web development. He and his wife Michelle are the creators of Teach Us the Bible.

Michael Cain

Administrative Support and IT Specialist

Michael is a native Ohioan, and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, with a BS in Information Technology. Michael works for Wake County as an IT Division Supervisor. His passion is helping support others, using his skills and talents to support, nurture and launch others into their ministry.  

Tim Jenkins

Building and Grounds – Wilson Campus

Tim oversees our building and grounds and leads various projects and events for our church. He and his wife Evelyn have been attending our church since 2001 and have 3 children.

Mike Laramee

Director of Discipleship

Mike oversees our Community Groups and Life on Life Discipleship and is a member of the preaching team. Mike served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years and is currently a professional pilot. Mike and his wife Cindy began attending our church in 2010 and have two grown children.

Jeff Webb

Guest Services – Wilson Campus

Jeff connects new people to our church and oversees our Guest Services team. Jeff and his wife Kate have been attending our church since 2013 with their two daughters.

Robin Combs

Church Secretary

Robin is our church secretary and the face of the church office during the week. She’s been on the journey with Pastor Gary since the founding of our church in 1991.

Cindy Laramee

Financial Secretary

Cindy became our financial secretary in 2020. She is an Air Force veteran and has experience in IT and bookkeeping for several companies and churches. Cindy and her husband Mike began attending our church in 2010 and have two grown children.

Kendra Cain

Children’s Ministry – Rocky Mount Campus

Don Small

Youth Director – Wilson Campus

Don was born in Winston-Salem, NC and graduated from East Carolina University with a BS in Computer Science. He and his wife, Theresa, have attended Eastgate since 2011 with their children, Ashlynn, Everett and Hunter. He began serving with our Youth in 2018 as our Middle School leader and is now the director of our Youth ministry since August 2023. Don has also been our Tech Team leader at Eastgate since 2012.

Marcus Kornegay

Youth Leader – Rocky Mount Campus

Izzy Kornegay

Youth Leader – Rocky Mount Campus

Elizabeth grew up in Greenville and was actively involved in her church’s youth ministry and served in the nursery and preschool Sunday school classes. After moving to Rocky Mount, she and her husband started attending the Rocky Mount campus during the preview services and have been a member of the Eastgate family ever since. Elizabeth serves as a leader with the Rocky Mount youth ministry, as well as the preschool class in the children’s ministry. She and her husband have 3 kids.

Randy Tuttle

Men’s Ministry Leader – Wilson Campus

Randy was born in Southern California where he was raised and also where he encountered Jesus. He and his wife Jennifer have two boys. Randy’s passion is to help others encounter Jesus. Randy leads one of our Community Groups and our Men’s Ministry.

Betty West

Women’s Ministry Leader – Wilson Campus

Betty is originally from Northern Illinois and currently works for Emco Wheaton as the Marketing Services Manager. She has been attending our church for over 20 years.

Nicole Combs

Guest Services – Rocky Mount Campus

Stephen Winslow, Sr.

Celebrate Recovery Pastor

Stephen Sr. is married to Frances Winslow and together they have two sons, Stephen Jr. and Joshua. Stephen grew up in Patchogue, NY, moved to Wilson in 1994, and joined Eastgate in 1997. Stephen Pastors Celebrate Recovery at our church, and is responsible for community outreach to people suffering from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits. He has a heart for Kingdom growth through CR’s Christ-centered twelve-step program, Step Study Groups, and our Friday evening Worship Service.

His desire is to see Christ change hearts, minds, and lives. He loves strong coffee, expensive guitars, and his wife, although not in that order!