Ministry Team – The Promise

Jonathan and Wendy Lovelace

SENIOR PASTOR

Pastor Jonathan Lovelace has been serving in ministry since age 26. He first pastored at Fairview Apostolic Church and served the people of Southwest Virginia. Pastor Lovelace felt the Lord call him to Church Hill to make a difference in the lives of those in his community. A "promise" that he made to the Lord during his teen years has been the heartbeat of the Promise Apostolic Church.

When he began his ministry, Pastor Lovelace prayed for divine guidance and understanding in regards to preaching the gospel and the plan of salvation. For over 20 years, he has given himself and his ministry to learn more about the gospel and what the Bible says about an individual’s response to Jesus and salvation. Spreading the gospel and the love of Jesus remains a passion behind his preaching, ministry, and pastorship of The Promise Apostolic Church.

Pastor Lovelace is married to Sister Wendy Lovelace who leads and serves the people of The Promise Apostolic Church and her community with fervency and dedication. As a pastor’s wife, Sister Lovelace gives of her time, commitment, and love to others and to the Kingdom of God. Pastor Lovelace is the father of two sons, Jonathan and Lucas Lovelace. Another title that Bro. Lovelace gladly holds is, "Papaw". In addition to pastoring, Bro. Lovelace has continued to serve those in various parts of East TN and Southwest VA through coaching positions, striving to make a difference in the lives of young people, individuals, and families. He wholeheartedly believes, "people do not care how much you know, they want to know how much you care", and has built his ministry on this principle.

Mike and Jenny Vicars

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Brother Mike Vicars has been in ministry for over 40 years, beginning at the age of sixteen. He has served the Kingdom of God as a Sunday School Teacher, Worship Leader, Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor and Author. He currently serves the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Southern Region Missions America Director overseeing nine districts. He also serves the Tri-State District as Section B Presbyter.

His wife Jenny is a very vital part of the ministry team at The Promise. She coordinates and/or manages the Bus Ministry, Women’s Espirit Ministry and Kid’s Quest Children’s Ministry. Mike and Jenny are both entrepreneurs owning and operating seven separate businesses and providing employment for over 40 full time employees in this local community and in the state of South
Carolina.

Mike and Jenny have two sons, Chase and Isaac Vicars.

Phil and Sherry Christian

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Bro. Phil was raised in the Methodist belief in Manville, Va. In 1971, he married his wife, Sis. Sherry, whose family worshipped in the holiness faith. He found more of God through the infilling of the Holy Ghost and baptism in Jesus name, which happened in 1973.

As he grew in the Lord he began to be used to teach, preach, and lead worship. He was called to be a minister and became pastor of Fairview Apostolic Church for three years. He and Sis. Sherry later pastored the Manville Holiness Church for 5 years. Their family, which included Brad and Ben their sons, continued working and worshipping the Lord with many our current Promise church family.

By trade, Bro. Phil was a home builder and maintainer of homes and buildings. After retirement from his job, he and Sis. Sherry continue living in their family farm gardening and raising cattle.

They both consider it an honor to serve The Promise as Associate Pastors. Continuing to work for the Lord promoting the Gospel and helping to feed and nurture the body of Christ.

Heaven is their goal and and want to help as many as possible to make Heaven their home.

Chase Vicars

STUDENT PASTOR

Brother Chase Vicars has been involved in youth ministry for all of his adult life. Chase is the National Director of Project 7 Bible Clubs for the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Tri-State District Youth Secretary and Treasurer, and the Tri-State District Section B Youth Director. He was instrumental in starting a Project 7 Bible Club at Volunteer High School and has worked with other P7 clubs in East Tennessee. In 2019, Chase launched a non-profit youth mentorship program called Golf Impact, which is one of many ways that Chase serves his local community. Brother Chase is engaged to sister Bailey Pledger.

Ben and Mandy Christian

WORSHIP PASTOR

Ben is the son of a minister and learned to have a love of the Lord and His people by watching his parents as they labored in the Kingdom of God in a variety of ministries.

He is also the product of Christian Education and received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Milligan College.
Ben has been involved in music his entire life and assisting in leading Praise and Worship for 22 years. He has served as Music Director at The Promise since its inception in 2011, and feels privileged to lead a wonderful group of anointed singers and musicians. He and the worship team are so humbled and blessed to help lead the people of God in worshipping the King of Kings for each of our services. Aside from being our worship leader he also serves as an elder in the church. Among his many blessings he gets to worship with his wife Mandy, who is quietly instrumental in assisting with various areas of ministry. They are blessed to have 2 sons, Kyler and Bentley, who also have a love for the house of The Lord, and the people of God. They also involve themselves in ministry in any way needed.