Chris Pixley (Senior Pastor)
Unlike my fellow-elders, I am not a native-born Floridian! I was born in Louisiana and raised in Texas, where I received my undergraduate degree in Speech/Communications from Baylor University (B.A., 1992). After college, I eventually went on to prepare for pastoral ministry at The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, CA (M.Div., 2000).
Before embarking on seminary training, the Lord blessed me with marriage (1995) to my wonderful wife, Christy, whom I met while ministering in my home church in Houston, TX . God has since blessed our lives with five precious daughters; Mackenzie, Abigail, Emmie Claire, Ava Grace, and Elizabeth Dale. My highest joy in life is my family and I find I have no greater privilege (or spiritual responsibility) than being a husband and father.
Second only to my family is the joy I find in being used of God to minister to His people as a pastor. Seeing the Word of God transform my own life and the lives of those to whom I minister is a profoundly humbling experience. God has recently afforded me the privilege of coming to serve as the Pastor-Teacher of Grace Bible Church . I am deeply grateful to the Lord for His kindness in bringing me to this outstanding church. Prior to arriving in Florida, I had the blessing of serving in ministries in Texas, California, and Arkansas .
In addition to my love for the local church, I hold a special affection for worldwide missions, having personally participated in efforts in the US, Mexico, Germany, Poland, Romania, and South Africa. As a pastor, I want to do all that I can to see that God’s “…way may be known on the earth, [His] salvation among all nations” (Psalm 67:2).
You can e-mail Chris at: chris [at] gbcb [dot] org
Doug Shirley (Elder)
I am a native-born Floridian from the Tampa/Brandon area and have spent the majority of my life here. I became a follower of Jesus Christ by His grace in 1981. My dearest friend and wife, Terrye, is also native to Brandon. We have been blessed with two sons, one daughter, and one daughter-in-law: Paul (b. 1983) Steve (b. 1987), Grace (b. 2004), and Elyse (married Paul in 2005). Being a husband and father has been and is a great responsibility as well as my greatest joy.
After Terrye and I were married we moved to Chattanooga, TN where I went to school at Tennessee Temple University. It was there that I received my degree in Pastoral Studies.
Currently, I am a Captain with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue where I have been a fire fighter since 1989. In addition to that, I also serve as the department’s chaplain where God has given me many opportunities to minister the gospel to my fellow fire fighters and their families.
Ministering to this local body as one of its pastor-elders is a great privilege. It is a humbling experience to be entrusted as one of the servant-leaders of this church. How exciting it is to see lives change and followers of Christ mature as we build up one another. God has given me a passion for His Word, and I desire that the people of Grace Bible Church grow through the study of God’s Word. I pray that in this local church the name of Jesus will be magnified in everything that we do.
You can e-mail Doug at: doug [at] gbcb [dot] org
Care Groups
What we believe
Directions
NEW!