Leadership

Bishop Rick D. Brackett was born May 20, 1954, in Mooresville, NC. He has a love for preaching but more importantly a love for the people to whom he preaches. His messages are anointed and are relevant for these times.

He and his wife Gayle lead the staff and congregation of the Matthews Church of God in reflecting an attitude of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Those who attend church services go away with the feeling that they have been in a church filled with a love for God and for one another. The church has made tremendous strides under his leadership in attendance, membership and finances and has exceeded all previous records in every category. A new 9,000 sq. ft. sanctuary was built in 2009 and the former sanctuary has been renovated into a fellowship hall.

Bishop Brackett felt the call to ministry at the young age of 17 and served as a state evangelist for six years and pastor for more than forty-seven years. He became an Ordained Bishop in 1980 at the very young age of 26, which is exceptional. He attended: North Carolina State Bible & Music Institute, East Coast Bible College, Lee University and he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Christian Bible College & Seminary, Independence Missouri. He was awarded, "Outstanding Young Men of America" in 1979 and was recently named to "Strathmore's Who's Who". He served as a committee member for the Ministerial Affirmation Program (MAP) from 1999-2005 and as a committee member for the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) for the Churches of God in Western North Carolina from 2007-2008. He served on the State Evangelism Board in Western North Carolina from 2008-2010 and served on the WNC USA Missions Board from 2014-2018 and served on WNC State Council from 2018-2022. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Ministerial Examining Board for Ordained Ministers and Ordained Bishops 2022-2024, and on the WNC World Missions Board. He serves not only as the Senior Pastor but as the District Overseer of the Matthews District with a total of 4 churches in Mecklenburg and Union Counties.

Bishop Brackett is married to Gayle Jacobs formerly of Lumberton, NC who is just as committed to the ministry serving as the "Women's Ministries President" and "Executive Church Secretary". He has two daughters, Abigail and Beth; Abby serves as "Children's Pastor" and Beth serves alongside of her husband, Ed as "Youth Pastors".

Phillip King pastored the Ranch Road Church of God in Charlotte, NC. where he served for the past eleven years. His previous pastorates have been Jonesville, Randleman, Mt. Holly, Marion Cross Mill, and East Rowan Churches of God.Phillip has served as a WNC State Youth Board Member and is a graduate of East Coast Bible College with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education.His MIP Internship was at the Lane Street Church of God in Kannapolis, NC under the direction of Pastor Sam Crisp.He has been an ordained bishop in the Church of God since 1989.He was a member of the East Coast Chorale for three years and can also play the trumpet. He is married to Debbie Craig King, who is a talented musician and singer and Matthews is her home church.

Gayle Jacobs Brackett was born in Lumberton, N.C. and is the daughter of the late Johnson and Gaynell Jacobs. Gayle is one of twelve children and was actively involved in a singing ministry, the "Jacobs Sisters", that included five of her sisters. She was always a dedicated member of the Saddletree Church of God and actively involved in local ministries.

Gayle is known throughout the state as a dedicated wife and mother and is loved by all those that know her. She is a prayer warrior and has exceptional faith and loves to give God praise for the things He has done in her life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 but believed God for and received her healing.

Gayle is gifted as an encourager and as someone that works constantly behind the scenes to help the church operate effectively. She has served faithfully alongside her husband in ministry for forty-nine years.  

Position waiting to be filled!

Beth attended Paw Creek Christian Academy. She studied communications at Gaston College and World Harvest Bible College and Graduated in 2000.
Beth is amazed more each day at how awesome God truly is. He can make the blind to see, and He can save a sinner like me. He is a life giver, way maker, burden bearer, friend to the friendless, hope to the hopeless, and a shelter from the storm. Her father was a preacher man and her mother stood by his side for 46 years. When he went to Heaven it only made her want to go there more! Beth said that her parents taught her so many things about life. How to love people, how to serve, but most importantly about salvation. She owes so much to them. Beth said that her mom is her best friend, and she thanks God for everyday they have together. Beth is always looking for the good in people and tells them what she sees. Beth admits that she makes a mess of things sometimes, yet she is striving to press toward the mark. Beth wants to see Jesus face to face when her life is over here, AND she wants Him to know her by name.

We are delighted to be able to add to our music team, Tonya Walker Griffin. Tonya is an excellent musician and singer and adds so much to our music program.
Tonya is the daughter of the late Roby & Mattie Walker who served our state well in pastoring and music. Tonya is married to Eddie Griffin, who also adds another voice to our music program. Eddie is also a "PK", being the son of the late James & Dorothy Griffin who were both a blessing to WNC.

Beth is anointed and dedicated to the music department. Beth has always had a passion to minister to hurting people and has felt a call to minister through music at a very early age. In 1997 Beth graduated with honors from South Caldwell High School as the Editor in Chief of the school newspaper entitled "The Spartan Muse". She then attended East Coast Bible College where she studied Music and Journalism.

Beth has had extensive training in church music. She has attended Choral Festivals with over 2,000 worship leaders, music workshops, and has also had voice lessons. While attending East Coast Bible College, she was blessed to minister through song at several churches throughout North and South Carolina. From 2000 to 2001, she and a friend had their own Radio AM program where she taught the Word of God and sang.

Kidz Church is headed up by Abigail B. Salsedo, the pastor's daughter. Abigail has had several years of experience in working with children, as she is an elementary school teacher and teaches at the Sun Valley Elementary School in Indian Trail, N.C. Abigail attended Appalachian State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She also has a background in music and is able to play both the clarinet and piano. She enjoys reading, sports, and listening to music as her hobbies.

Abigail is excited about what God is doing in the church and she is especially thrilled to see the children's department growing. It is her desire to see more and more children get involved in the exciting programs of the church. She is convinced that all children will be benefited by attending "Kidz Church" each Sunday morning. The music, puppets, bible stories and games are a wonderful way to help build a stable foundation for our youth of tomorrow.
Abby is married to Troy Salsedo and they have three children: Logan, Skylar and Luke.