Meet our Staff
Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
Pastor Vern, Senior Pastor
Hi! I’m Pastor Vern, and this is a little about me.
I am the husband of my high school sweetheart Deb (we married in 1981) and proud father of Ashley (living and working in Rochester) and Zack (living and working in Buffalo). We are also the parents of Matthew, our first born, who is now with the Lord Jesus Christ, waiting to welcome us to heaven one day.
In my “former life” I was a social worker, but hearing the call of God to ministry, I went back to school and graduated with my Master’s in Divinity in 2001, and shortly after that I was an associate pastor in Batavia (for six years) before coming to Gowanda as Senior Pastor in 2007.
Here are a few things that might give you some clues into what I’m like:
Favorite book: I can’t pick one; I just can’t. Other than the Bible (I assume that’s a given!) I would say: Les Miserable by Victor Hugo, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving and Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.
Favorite movies: “Field of Dreams”; “Places in the Heart”; “The Spitfire Grill”; “Tender Mercies”.
Most inspirational/influential person in your life: My wife, Deb. and Rev. Homer F. Carr- the pastor who baptized me.
If you could spend a day with a dead person… Abraham Lincoln
Most embarrassing moment: I was in line with my girlfriend (now wife) at the movies when I needed to use the bathroom. I jumped over a hanging rope that helped keep people in line as they went into the theatre, only I didn’t make it and fell flat on my face in the lobby, in front of a crowd of people. Second most embarrassing moment was when I went forward to commit my life to Christ, at a junior high youth event, when I was the youth leader, and I was at least 12 years past junior high age. That is also one of my most cherished moments.
That’s just a brief bit of information. I hope we’ll be able to get to know each other better, face-to-face, real soon.
Pastor Brett, Associate Pastor
Hey! I’m Pastor Brett and thank you for visiting our website! Here are a few tidbits about my family and I.
I’m a life long resident of the Gowanda area and I’m so thankful to be ministering here in my hometown. I’m married to who I think is the most amazing woman in the world, Jennifer and I have a thirteen year old son named Dylan. Also a part of our family is a golden retriever puppy named Brady and our old girl (12 years) Gracie who we also adore. Some of my hobbies are fishing, biking, and reading. Before I was appointed pastor here at GFMC, I was the Youth Director for four years here and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
Favorite book: The Bible, Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos, He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado, The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker, Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and Gospel Wakefulness by Jared C. Wilson.
Favorite movie: ”Lord of the Rings” is a given. The “Star Wars” trilogy, and an oldie but a goodie…. “The Ten Commandments”.
Most inspirational/influential person in your life: I can’t pick just one. My mother for always being there and praying for me during my “crazy” teenage years. My wife for leading me to a real relationship with Christ and loving me when I didn’t deserve to be loved.
If you could spend a day with a dead person… Simon Peter
Most embarrassing moment: I will try to update this often as I’m always embarrassing myself. The latest: Answering the phone at my office and saying “Purchasing this is Brett” (I was a purchasing agent before I came on board full time here at the church).
Kim Nobles, Administrative Assistant
I grew up in Gowanda and I think its really neat to be back as an adult working here. My husband Zach and I just bought our first house this year and we live there with our dog and cat. Outside of work I enjoy knitting, reading, spending time with friends and catching up on our favorite TV series. We also got into bike riding this summer and that’s been lots of fun!
Favorite books: Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, and way too many more to list
Favorite movies: ”Chronicles of Narnia” movies and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”