Pastor - Dr. Paul R. Gilliam III

Paul is the third pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. He began his tenure as pastor April 1, 2025. Paul brings with him a wealth of pastoral experience. He served as pastor to Henrietta First Baptist Church (Henrietta, NC), Caroleen Baptist Church (Caroleen, NC), Mulberry Grove Baptist Church (Buckingham, VA), First Baptist Church of Ahoskie (Ahoskie, NC), and Winter Park Baptist Church (Wilmington, NC). Paul has pastored smaller and larger congregations as well as rural and urban congregations. Through the years, his passion for the church of Jesus the Christ grows stronger and stronger.

Paul is also an academic with a specialty in early church history. He holds an undergraduate degree as well as a Master of Divinity degree from Gardner-Webb University. In addition, Paul has a Master of Arts degree in religious studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a PhD in early Christianity from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. With a longstanding interest to bridge the gap between the academy and the church, Paul even served as interim pastor, while in Scotland, to Dedridge Baptist Church – a congregation 20 minutes outside of Edinburgh. Upon the completion of his doctoral work, Paul went to work as assistant professor of religion and then associate professor of religion at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC. He is the author of Ignatius of Antioch and the Arian Controversy (Brill Publishers, 2017) and William Whiston and the Apostolic Constitutions: Completing the Reformation (Peeters Press, 2023).

Paul and his wife, Lou Ann, were college sweethearts. They married in June of 1994. They are the very proud parents of Matty Grace. Lou Ann is the Ministerial Equipping Director for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina (CBFNC). Matty Grace, a graduate of Randolph-Macon College, also works with CBFNC as the Operations Specialists with Welcome House Raleigh. In his spare time, Paul likes to roller skate!

PASTOR Emeritus - Brant Hoots

Reverend Hoots was called as the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church on November 8, 1981. He is a native of Winston-Salem and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as youth minister at Northwest Baptist Church and associate pastor of Mineral Springs Baptist Church in Winston-Salem before coming to Trinity. He is married to the former Kay Wall and has two sons, Eric (Amy) and David (Claire) and five grandchildren, Brady, Jackson, Avery, Ariana, and Paxton. Brant's hobbies include water sports, walking, reading and following his beloved Tar Heels. 

Minister of Music - Joel Harris

I began playing the organ/piano for worship at the age of 15 for the church my father pastored. My music ministry of directing choirs soon followed. I am a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University with a bachelor's degree. I became Trinity's music director in 2004. My responsibilities include leading the adult and children's choirs, as well as the Praise Team. In addition, my duties also include outreach and fellowship activities. 

"I will praise You, Oh Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2

Pianist/Handbell Director - Brenda Powell

My music has been a passion of mine, especially playing the piano. From the age of five, I began playing for Wednesday night prayer meetings. By age nine, I was playing hymns for them. Since the age of 15, I have served as a church pianist. My duties at Trinity also include leading the hand bell choir. I thank God for the gift of music and the opportunity I have had to serve as the pianist here at Trinity for the past 36 years.

"Oh come let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." Psalm 95:1

Administrative Assistant -Teresa Vasquez

I am so thankful to be used by God to serve others and to share the love of God, being His hands and feet. No matter what comes my way, I know that my God is bigger than any situation.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV