ELDERS
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church; as such, He is the sole authority over it (Colossians 1:15-20). He governs His church through His Word. His government is exercised through the leadership of biblically qualified elders who have been set aside by the church to teach the Word and lead the flock (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Heb 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-5). The New Testament uses the words elder, pastor, pastor-teacher, and overseer as synonyms that refer to the same office.
The members of Winchester Baptist embrace leadership by a plurlality of elders because (a) scripturally, the New Testament always speaks of a plurality of elders overseeing the church (Acts 20:17; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 5:17; James 5:14); and (b) practically, there is diversity, wisdom, accountability, and power when a plurality of biblically-thinking men serve together in unity.
The qualifications for elders are found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and the responsibilities of elders are indicated in various contexts within scripture, including the often-used reference to shepherding. The Apostle Paul exhorted the elders to “be shepherds of the church of God” (Acts 20:28) and Peter said, “be shepherds of God’s flock which is under your care” (I Peter 5:2). In short, the role of shepherds in the Bible reveals a list of roles and responsibilities which can be described as leading the flock, providing oversight and direction, caring for and feeding the flock, guarding the members from going astray, protecting, seeking the lost, and helping the weak.
Elders are primarily responsible for prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:3). Scripture also assigns them responsibility for directing the affairs of the church (I Tim. 5:17), formulating church policy (Acts 15:22), preaching and teaching (I Tim. 5:17), and praying for the sick (James 5:14).
CALEB BOHON
Through the faithful witness of family and local churches, Caleb came to understand the gospel at a young age. He and his wife, Alyssa, have four children and have been members of our church since 2013. Caleb works as an Automation Lead Technician and Programmer at InstruLogic in Winchester and began serving as an elder in 2023.
JONATHAN HORTON
Jonathan was born into an extended family marked by several generations of Baptist church leaders, pastors, missionaries, and lay servants, which set a high bar for him for what Christian faithfulness looked like. Jonathan came to faith in Christ at the age of 4 and was baptized at the age of 14. While his faith was genuine, he adopted a very performance-oriented view of his ongoing relationship with God. Long story short, he became a Pharisee in practice. As a high school senior, Jonathan was exposed to Reformed Theology and began a journey of better understanding the fullness of God's grace towards him. Raised in Oregon, Jonathan moved to Virginia in 2006 to attend Patrick Henry College (PHC). While at PHC, Jonathan faithfully attended Guilford Baptist Church (now Sterling Park Baptist Church), grew in his sense of security in God's grace, and became a "recovering Pharisee." In 2008, Jonathan was made aware of the vision that Guilford Baptist leaders had to eventually start a church plant in Winchester, and he sensed God calling him to be part of that someday. In spring 2012, Jonathan was invited to join the WinBap church planting team and he has been part of WinBap ever since. Jonathan's wife, Rebecca (aka Tella), was WinBap's first new member following the church's planting (Jonathan and Rebecca were dating at the time). Jonathan and Rebecca were married about a year later in 2013 and have five wonderful children. Jonathan and Rebecca are co-owners of Ingenium Business & Consulting Services in Winchester. Prior to becoming an elder in December 2023, Jonathan led WinBap's tech team in the early years and served continuously as a Deacon and/or as WinBap's Deacon of Finance from April 2015-May 2023. Jonathan's passion for WinBap is that our church would grow in holiness, in grace, and in the pursuit of the true, eternal rewards that God alone can offer.
ZACH MCCAIN
Zach was born and raised in Tennessee to committed Christian parents and grandparents who helped him to understand and believe the gospel of Jesus. He met his wife, Adriane, in college at the University of Tennessee at Martin, and they married in 2011. In the following year, Zach completed his M.Div at Beeson Divinity School and began serving in churches in Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee. In 2021, they moved to Virginia with their four children after Zach accepted a role as a full time software developer. They joined Winchester Baptist Church in 2022 having found it to be a place of faithfulness to the Word through worship, community, and mission. Zach began serving as an elder in 2023.
TIM WHITE
Tim grew up in Pennsylvania where he came to understand the gospel of Jesus through the faithful witness of his parents, siblings, and two local churches. He moved to Virginia to attend college where he met his wife Sherry. In 1987 they were married and, in time, the Lord blessed them with three children (three more by marriage) as well as three grand-children. Since 1990, the Lord has allowed Tim to serve three churches in pastoral ministry: twenty years as an associate pastor in Lynchburg, Virginia; two years as a senior pastor in Northern Virginia; and, since 2012, as teaching pastor (and planter) of Winchester Baptist Church. Tim has an MMin and MDiv from evangelical seminaries. But it has been personal study and experience that has influenced his pastoral ministry most profoundly — namely, by cultivating a love for expository preaching and reformed theology.
DEACONS
A deacon or deaconess is a church member who satisfies the requirements and description in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 and Acts 6:1–7. Deacons are charged with the responsibility to care for practical ministries and promote unity within the church so that the elders can devote their attention to shepherding the church through the Word and prayer. This partnership — elders and deacons serving together for the Gospel — promotes the health of our church and displays the gospel and glory of Christ. Deacons, may you serve faithfully, and thereby gain a good standing for yourself and a great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)
Deacon of Finance
JOSH HAHN
Josh and Emily and their three children joined Winchester Baptist Church in 2021. As the Geographic Info Systems Coordinator for over a decade who recently transitioned to Planning Director for Page County, Josh has developed skills maintaining and reporting data, and in 2023, he felt called to use these skills to serve Jesus Christ and His church as a Deacon of Finance. Ultimately, Josh and Emily are devoted to the spread of the good news of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, so that God may be glorified.
Deacon of Facilities
DAVID PORTMESS
David and his wife, Gina, were drawn to our church in 2021 out of a hunger for the exposition of Scripture. Just one year later, even with the challenge of balancing family life with two kids and work life as Technical Inside Sales for Konecranes, David says, “The reason I serve as deacon is simple: to serve Christ’s church. I want to share the talent God has given me with our church.”
Deacon of Technology
LOGAN THOMPSON
Logan became a member of our church in 2017 and began serving as Deacon of Technology in 2023. His wife, Courtney, has been a faithful member of our church and part of our worship team since 2013. An engineer by degree, and now a Site Operations Manager for Carmeuse Americas, Logan leads our Tech Team to facilitate our services for those worshiping in-person and online - to the glory of God.