Leadership

Staff & Elders

Kal Busman

Lead Pastor

Hometown:
Yrs @ NCC: I've been at NCC since August 2017. First as associate pastor, and then lead pastor in April of 2019.
Family: Wife Janet, married since...for a long time. Two sons. Joshua, professor of ethnomusicology at UNCP. Matthew, House parent at Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina. Two grandsons Arthur and Simon who are actively pursuing their journey to awesomeness.
Dogs or Cats? We have had, and love, dogs and cats. At this stage of our lives, we have three cats because they're easier and we're both secure in not being loved unconditionally. We also have fish.
Favorite thing about NCC: The compassion that our people have towards those who life has not been kind to.  And the diversity which allows us to do life with people who are different from each other.
Fun fact: I can make a loud popping sound with my finger.

Stephen Watts

Worship

Hometown: LaGrange, GA
Yrs @ NCC: 24
Family: Wife Leah, Asher (1), Hannah Grace (14), Canaan (12), Judah (10)
Dog or Cats? Mostly cats, but we do have a dog (Waffles) that I'm pretty attached to.
Favorite thing about NCC: The diversity and openness to meeting people where they are on their journey
Fun Fact: Leah and I have been married for 16 years. We met, had our first date, got engaged, and got married within the walls of the current NCC building.

George Gilbert

Director of Ministry

Hometown: LaGrange, GA.
Yrs. @ NCC: 15
Family: Wife Leisa, 2 daughters, Jocilyn and Jessica, a Son-in-law, Earl
Dog or Cats? 2 dogs, Russell and Luca
Favorite thing about NCC: Love the people and the diversity in the staff and congregation.   
Fun Fact: Love mid 60's and early 70's muscle cars. 


Kristy Williams

Director of Finance

Hometown: Whitesville, GA
Yrs @ NCC: 15
Family: Alvin Williams, Spouse; Cherisce Snow-Daughter; Alyson Snow-Daughter 
Dog or Cats? I have a Chihuahua named Sofie she was a rescue her previous owner was in the process of taking her to the pound. She loves to play and cuddle. 
Favorite thing about NCC: The welcoming love that I have always felt. Feeling welcomed in a place speaks volumes about the people that serve and attend church here. 
Fun Fact: I love people and helping others. My Love Language is “Acts of Service” 


Jalen Smith

Worship Leader

Hometown: LaGrange, GA.
Yrs. @ NCC:  1 month
Family:  Not married
Dog or Cats?  No pets, but definitely prefer dogs. 
Favorite thing about NCC:  The diversity among the congregation. 
Fun Fact: Love watching documentaries about previous presidents and other prominent figures.

Christina Rigsby

Director Promiseland

Hometown: Pharr ,TX (insert pun here) 
Yrs @ NCC: 2.5
Family: Husband Joshua, daughters Sophia (9) and Aletha (7)
Dog or Cats? I love them both. 
Favorite thing about NCC: How loving and accepting everyone is 
Fun Fact: I once had a collection of over 100 different kinds of rubber ducks. 

Angela Kenyon

Elder

Hometown: Franklin, GA
Yrs @ NCC: 20
Family: My son Malcolm, who grew up at NCC
Dog or Cats? No pets
Favorite thing about NCC: The relationships that I've made here have helped me to grow beyond what I imagined I could be.
Fun Fact: I have over 50 first cousins and I've met all of them. (Lots of family reunions!) 

Janice Grant

Elder (Chair)

Hometown:
Yrs @ NCC: 27
Family: Clifton and Janice Grant, sons Chad and Karleigh, daughter Jada. Grandchildren: McKenzie and Caemyn , Mother in law: Armetine 
Dog or Cats? Polo Earl Grant- Yorkie; with us since 2010
Favorite thing about NCC: the people 
Fun Fact: NCC used to do new comers event at the pastor's house; I went to the wrong house and they were hosting a Mardi Gras themed supper club.  I was walking around until I saw beer in a couple of hands and realized I was in the wrong place.

Angela Barnett

Elder

Hometown: Tallassee, AL
Yrs @ NCC: 29
Family: Married to Louis for 35 years. We have four children, Adam, Ethan, Emily and Patrick, and one granddaughter, Sophie 
Dog or Cats? I love both, but we are a cat family!! We have two cats; Mister and Tigger. 
Favorite thing about NCC: The commitment to make sure that our congregation reflects the same diversity that we will see in Heaven!! 
Fun Fact: I’m prone to having embarrassing things happen to me in from of large groups of people … (like stadiums and auditoriums!) 

Pauline Howard

Elder

Dr. Heidi Hinton

Elder

Hometown:
Yrs.@ NCC: 16 
Family: Husband George
Favorite thing about NCC: Excited and honored to be an Elder at NCC
Fun Fact: Director of BEAR Academy, a school that helps students become more college ready.

Byron Armstead

Elder

Katie Buchanan

Elder

Hometown: LaGrange, GA.
Yrs @ NCC: 18/19
Family: brother in NC
Dogs or Cats: both but have a beloved 15-year-old Boston terrier named Champ.
Favorite thing about NCC: It's commitment to keep growing as a body.
Fun Fact: I love to play video games and do our fun nerd things. 

Tammy Drake

Elder

Hometown: Roanoke, AL.  
Yrs @ NCC:  Has been my church home for 13 years.  I first started attending NCC in the summer of 2009 operating in several volunteer capacities from Women’s Ministry to Promiseland.  I accepted the role of Elder January of 2024.
Family:  Avid empty nester. Mother of two adult children, Justin, sales for American Home Shield and Brianna, sophomore at Troy University.
Dogs or Cats?  I am currently an “aunt” to a sweet Yorkie Pekingese mix named “Buttercup.”
Favorite thing about NCC: The unmatched feeling of family and acceptance that exists in this beautiful space called church.  It creates an atmosphere of home that I have been unable to find anywhere else, hence my use of the word “church home” above.
Fun Fact: I am a published author and avid writer of poetry.