Meet Our Team

John grew up in West Virginia, attended Bible Center School, Cross Lanes Christian School, and was a whitewater rafting guide on the New River through college. After graduating from Appalachian Bible College, he served on church staffs in Florida and Ohio, and most recently on the Executive Team as the Family Ministries/Worship Arts Pastor at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California. John and his wife, Emily, have three daughters: Allison, Alana, and Abigail. John returned to Bible Center in the summer of 2017 as the Executive Pastor and became the Lead Pastor in the summer of 2023.
- Leads the Preaching Team and is the primary voice in the pulpit
- Shepherds the body in partnership with the Elders
- Sets the pace for the future vision of Bible Center

Troy and his family have been a part of Bible Center for over 12 years. His wife, Stephanie, has been involved in many ways serving and being a part of the BCC community. Their children, Caleb and Kyleigh (now grown and residing in Southern California), were very involved in student ministry at Bible Center and both came to know Jesus through the children’s ministry. For most of those 12 years Troy was a volunteer, serving on the board and in many other areas of ministry at Bible Center. He also served on the Pastoral Staff for 3 years.
In 2016 the Thornton family moved to Southern California. Troy served on the staff at Calvary Community Church as the Pastor of Development and Operations. Troy and Stephanie returned to WV and to Bible Center in late 2023 and are excited to again be a part of this wonderful community and church.
Troy’s background includes military service, business management, and pastoral ministry. His education includes a BA in Bible and Theology and a Masters in Process Management.
Troy’s responsibilities include:
--Working with the Lead Pastor to execute the Elder’s vision for Bible Center
--Shepherding and leading the staff
--Overseeing the organizational functions of the church

Stephanie Schafer joined the BCS staff in 2018 as the Head of School. She spent her entire life in sunny Southwest Florida. After much prayer, her family knew that God was calling them to Charleston, West Virginia to be part of Bible Center School and Church. Stephanie received her B.A. in Communication from Palm Beach Atlantic University and her M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Liberty University. She has been part of Christian education for 18 years as both teacher and administrator. She has been married to her husband, Joey, for 17 years and they have a son, Dylan, and daughter, Halle.

Stephanie serves as the visionary instructional leader and implementer at BCS. It is her joy and passion to lead the staff and students at Bible Center School as they seek God’s will for their lives.

Caleb has been a part of the Bible Center family since he joined the staff in 2007. As a worship pastor, his desire is to grow a culture of Christ-centered worship that is founded in doctrine and expressed with passion. One of his greatest joys is equipping others use their gifts and talents to worship Jesus and serve others. Caleb and his wife, Tiffany, have been married for 16 years and have 3 amazing children: Emma, Jack, and Hailey. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, woodworking, and reminiscing about being on the curling team in high school.
-- Oversees and leads Adult Worship Team
--Oversees and leads Youth Praise Band
--Co-leads worship on Sunday

Michelle has served on the staff at Bible Center since 2002. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Christian Education from Andersonville Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts degree in Christian Counseling & Psychology from Southwest Bible College and Seminary. Michelle is passionate about Jesus and the difference a relationship with Him makes in people’s lives. She also enjoys all-things-leadership and the study of personalities. She and her husband, Richard, have seven children and three grandchildren.

Michelle oversees both local and global outreach.
--The Maker’s Center
--Adoption and Foster Care Ministries
--Homeless Outreaches
--Thomas Baby Steps Hospitality Room
--May We Serve Partnerships with local ministries and organizations

Pastor Matt Garrison holds a B.S. in Youth Ministry from Liberty University and a Master of Arts and Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served for nine years as the Youth Pastor at New Life Baptist Church in Pennsylvania. He served for 9 years in student ministry here at Bible Center before transitioning to his current role. He and his wife, Andrea, are the parents of Sydney, Tyler, Sierra, and Troy.

--Hosts online services each Sunday
--Shepherds online attendees to connect, grow, and multiply
--Collaborates with the Communication team on maintaining and utilizing social media platforms to their fullest

Pastor Mike Graham has a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served as an international missionary, church planter and pastor over the past 20 years. Mike brings years of discipleship, outreach and small group ministry experience. He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of Luke and Lexi.

--Oversees groups and community life
--Recruits and trains leaders
--Leads the charge in discipleship and spiritual development