Meet the Team
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
GARY CAMPBELL, JR.
Lead Pastor
Gary Campbell Jr. serves as the Lead Pastor here at GBC. He is a lifelong GBCer who before coming to work at GBC had served in youth ministry for many years, after which Gary served as our Youth Pastor for ten years. Gary’s passion here at GBC is to see the church grow in its mission to impact the local community for the Lord, and see people go deep in discipleship over the long haul. He enjoys teaching the Bible and encouraging people one to one in their walks with Jesus. Gary and his wife Kristi have four children; Gary III, William, Nathan, & Ella. Gary is an avid outdoorsman, and baseball fan. He enjoys spending time with his family, camping, coaching baseball, and enjoying snowstorms and bonfires alike.
JASON WALLACE
Pastor of Caring Ministries
Jason joined the GBC staff in March of 2019 as the Pastor of Caring Ministries. Prior to joining our team, Jason worked in the Food Service industry for 34 years, with his last position being a General Manager for Chipotle. Jason served in the US Navy Submarine Service for 8 years in the 90’s as a cook. He and his wife Lynn have two children - Katelyn and Benjamin. Together they enjoy outdoor activities and are avid fans of the Seattle Seahawks.
ZAK STEVENS
Associate Pastor
Originally from Southern California, Zak and his wife Katrina both grew up in Ventura. He studied International Development at UCLA, spent three years in missions in Mexico and overseas before moving to Massachusetts for a 4-year stay at Gordon-Conwell Seminary. It was in that time that the Lord gave them a heart for the church of New England as they served at a local church plant, eventually leading them to GBC in June of 2018. Zak's passion in ministry is clarity in teaching and depth in discipleship. He will gladly nerd out with you on anything history and philosophy and enjoys playing basketball, board games, or watching any good sit-com. Zak and Katrina have three boys and a girl: Athanasius, Cyril, Aquinas & Adair.
MIKE BONTEMPO
Executive Pastor & Pastor of Missions
Mike serves as Missions Pastor at GBC. He is a husband of over 35 years, father of 3 beautiful ladies, and passionate about introducing Jesus to anyone he can. His wife, Kym, and he have been attending GBC since 2018 after supporting a local church plant for over 15 years. Over the years, Mike has led and served in men’s ministries, worship ministries, small groups, and chaired deacon boards. The one thing he has never done prior to taking on this role is go on a Missions trip! However, having led Human Resources functions for multinational companies, he loves to build teams, develop leaders, and network people to support the greater church growth around the world. Growing up locally in Norwich, and now living in Westerly, RI, Mike has a strong desire to serve the local community and expand the world view of the GBC family. In his spare time, Mike likes to golf, hang out on the beach, and participate in sprint triathlons.
FAMILY LIFE
Youth Ministry Pastor
JEREMY VORCE
Jeremy joined the GBC staff the spring of 2014 as the new Director of Youth Ministries. Jeremy loves hanging out with youth and coming along side them in their journey through adolescence. Graduating from Gordon College with a degree in Youth Ministries and serving on Berea summer staff for over 5 years has prepared and equipped Jeremy for the work he will be doing with the youth and their families of GBC. Jeremy, and his wife Samantha, love going to the beach, playing games, and watching movies.
AMBER CAMERON
Director of Women’s Ministry & Adult Bible Study
Amber is the Director of Women's Ministries. Originally from Oklahoma, Amber and her husband Tyler have been part of the GBC family since 2012. Together they have two girls, Addison and Emily. Amber is an avid Sooner fan, and describes herself as a “Jesus lovin’ Oklahoma girl”, however God has given her a heart for New England. She is passionate about seeing women fall in love with the Word of God. Her desire is to see women grow in their relationship Jesus, and to live their lives following Him. Her hobbies include washing laundry but neither folding it nor putting it away and coming up with creative ways to avoid cooking.
Director of Toll Gate Christian Preschool
JANE LEVIS
Jane has been involved in child advocacy with area ministries and workplaces since 1990. She was an Assistant Director at a local preschool prior to becoming Director of TGCNS in July, 2014. She holds a CT Director’s Credential and a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Jane became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as a child and continues to grow up in Him alongside her husband, James, in Gales Ferry. They have three grown children.
TANYA PATTEN
Children’s Ministry
Tanya and her husband Alan have been attending GBC since ‘89 and served as teen leaders and Sunday School teachers. Over the years both Tanya and Alan have been involved behind the scenes on Sunday mornings as volunteers on the tech team. Tanya has been actively involved in women’s ministry as a small group Bible study leader. She received a bachelor’s degree in bible and elementary education from Philadelphia College of Bible and holds a master’s degree in special education and administration from Southern Connecticut State University. With over 25 years in education Tanya taught fifth grade in Christian school. She taught and became an administrator at a private clinical day school. She finished her educational career as a high school assistant principal in public school. Tanya is very enthusiastic about fishing, birding, and outdoor adventures that reveal God’s creation. She rows competitively with a crew team, enjoys the opera, ballet and classical music. Tanya loves children, teaching, and Jesus! She is grateful for the opportunity to use the gifts God has given her to support children at GBC in learning about Jesus!
KIMBERLY CALLAHAN-BRAKELS
Elementary
Hailing from Southeastern CT, Kimberly started coming to GBC in 1998 to the Wednesday night “Teens” program, and, if you don’t count a nine-year stint in Europe somewhere in the middle, has been faithfully attending ever since. She has served in youth, women’s, and children’s ministry throughout her years at GBC and abroad, and has worked as a music and elementary teacher in New York City, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Connecticut. Her wonderfully supportive husband René is from the Netherlands, and they have one amazing little boy named Pieter. Kimberly loves cooking, decorating cakes, working out with Les Mills on Demand, kayaking with her family, reading young adult dystopian fiction, and triathlons.
BETH HAYTER
Early Childhood
From a very young age, God granted Beth a love for babies and toddlers. That love developed into a God-given gift to care for and connect with young children no matter where Beth is. She has been involved in early childcare (through various churches and private opportunities), since she was 12 years old. She loves early childcare because life is still simple and everything is new again when viewed through a little ones eyes. Beth and her husband, Jerry, have been married for 17 years. They are originally from Bristol, TN / VA and moved to Groton in September of 2021. Jerry's time in the Navy has allowed the joy of exploring new places, history, and cultures. Beth and Jerry have two teens, Trey and Braeleigh, who have had the opportunity to be influenced by people of all walks of life and cultures. Beth's hobbies include anything warm and being an emotional support human to the family's Chocolate Lab, Stella.
Worship & Technology
JONNY GEEZE
Worship Arts Pastor
Jonny has been serving as the Worship Arts Pastor at GBC since 2014, when he moved here from Massachusetts. Jonny has a degree in Communications and a heart for leading people into a deeper understanding of a lifestyle of worship. Jonny has enjoyed leading worship all over New England including at his first church in Massachusetts, at his alma mater Houghton College in upstate New York and at Man Camp at Camp Berea in New Hampshire. He and his wife, Katie, live in Ledyard with their two children, Isaac and Ainsley, along with their rescue beagles, Fetch & Twizzler. Jonny is also passionate about barbecue sauce, good fettuccine alfredo, and all New England sports.
ZACHARY FLIGHT
Tech & Media
Zachary is the Technical Director in 2021. Prior to joining the team at GBC he worked for a few tech companies and volunteered at GBC most Sundays. He has been serving in the tech booth for more years than he can remember; starting with running slides, then learning sound, running lights, and video on occasion. Zachary was born and raised locally and currently lives in Norwich with his wife Denielle and pet ferret. Outside work he loves being outside whether that is on the trails, in a kayak, or working in the yard. He and his wife enjoy playing games (mostly Fortnite) together and he also enjoys dabbling in construction projects, IOT, 3D printing, and learning new things.
Office / Admin
KATRINA EPPS
Office Administrator
Katrina has a degree in Psychology and has been serving as our Office Administrator since June of 2018. She was first introduced to GBC earlier that same year through CR (Celebrate Recovery). Jesus has given her victory in several areas of her life, and it is with great joy that she serves our Lord and our church family! This mom of a young adult son is one of our GriefShare facilitators. Katrina enjoys making photo collages.
JULIE STOKEN
Finance
Julie has been a member of Groton Bible Chapel since 2004 when she moved to Connecticut from Ohio. She lives in Salem with her husband Marty and their son Morgan. She also has two older children that are out on their own. Julie and her family have recently returned to Connecticut after living in England for 10 years while her husband was on a work assignment for Electric Boat. She has a BS in Computer Science and MBA in Management Information Systems. She loves to travel and has been blessed to be able to visit 32 different countries, taking full advantage of her time abroad! She is happy to be back in the USA and is very excited to be on the Staff at GBC.
Facilities
ELAINE BILLING
Custodial Team
Elaine serves as a custodian at GBC. She is a grateful believer in Jesus. She holds degrees in criminal justice and paralegal studies and was employed as a paralegal prior to joining the GBC staff. Elaine enjoys her behind the scenes work as a custodian and the opportunity to see God at work. She lives in Gales Ferry with her husband, Dave. They have three grown children. In her free time Elaine enjoys hiking, trips to the beach and reading.
DENIELLE FLIGHT
Custodial Team
Building & Maintenance
RICH HILEMAN
Meet the elders
We believe that the New Testament teaches and provides evidence for plurality of church leadership.
LARRY OLSEN
Larry grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, leaving there in 1974 to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He is a retired submarine officer, having spent a total of 42 years with the U.S. Navy. He and Janet have been married for 40 years, and they have two children, Rebecca (and her husband, Clay frost) and Erik (and his wife, Katie), and three grandsons, Tanner, Mason and Wyatt. Larry and Janet have been attending GBC for about 7 years.
BRANDON BARNES
Brandon, his wife Jenni and their two grown children Ethan and Riley have been attending GBC since 2004. Brandon works locally in Groton in the Biopharmaceutical Industry with a background in Information Technology. Brandon & Jenni's passion for the GBC family was born out of attending, and eventually leading, a number of small groups. Today, along with serving as an Elder, Brandon enjoys spending time working with the Young Adult Ministry at the chapel and spending free time with his wife of 25 years at the beach.
TIM KULTERMAN, JR.
Tim has attended GBC his whole life (minus 4 years in the military). He lives in Gales Ferry with his wife of 22 years and they have 4 children together. He works at Smith and Nephew as the North East Business Director and for fun enjoys family outings, the beach, movies and tennis.
TIM LENES
Originally, Tim is from Florida and he moved to the Groton area with the U.S. Navy. He and his wife, Vera have been attending Groton Bible Chapel for thirty-five years and Tim has been an elder at GBC for over twenty years. He is an Attorney with a private practice in Norwich. Tim and Vera have three adult children and in his free time Tim enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with the family.
JASON WALLACE
Jason Wallace, and his wife Lynn and have been attending GBC since 1999. They have two kids, Katie and Ben, and live in Westbrook. He worked in the food service industry for for 35 years, and then started on staff as the Pastor of Caring Ministries in April of 2019. When not at church, you’ll find Jason working in the yard or cooking.
BOB RASMUSSEN
Bob is originally from New Jersey (the beach) and has been at the chapel for 19 years. For fun he enjoys boating, fishing, and relaxing with his family in the 1000 Islands at a family cottage.
JEFF SEIDEL
Jeff originally grew up outside the small town of Eureka, Montana but now lives in New London. He has attended GBC since 1993. He and his wife of over 25 years Bethany have 3 daughters, and for fun Jeff enjoys fishing, hunting & camping. He also loves supporting his daughters in their Roller Skating competitions around the world.
DAVE MEWHA
Dave is originally from Springfield, PA but now lives in Mystic and has attended GBC for over 40 years. He is married to his Wife Ann and has 5 kids. He works at EB as an Engineer Supervisor and enjoys sailing and sports in his free time.
BRYAN BUCKLEY
Bryan Buckley lives in Niantic with his wife Laurie. They have two daughters. He has been attending GBC for 13 years. His favorite scriptures are Romans 1:16 & 1 Corinthians 10:12.