We believe in and practice a leadership structure that includes both elders and deacons.
Our church operates under elder-led congregational rule. Our elders are responsible for the spiritual oversight of our church. Our congregation votes only on specific matters outlined in our constitution and bylaws. Our deacons manage the physical aspects of church life, assisting both the elders and the congregation with practical matters.
Bob Grass, elder and teaching pastor
pastorbob@livingwordleland.com
In 2000, Bob and his wife, Rochelle, helped plant Grace Baptist Church in Dacula, Georgia, where Bob served as the part-time Minister of Music. He and Rochelle led various teen and adult ministries for eight years.
Then God called Bob to become the full-time Minister of Music at Harvester Baptist Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. There, he enjoyed planning musical worship and working with adult and children’s choirs. In the midst of music ministry, he found joy in studying for teaching and preaching opportunities, and he was ordained to gospel ministry at Harvester in 2013.
In 2014, Bob moved his family to Leland, North Carolina, to plant Living Word Bible Church. For over five years, he worked in the banking industry to support his family. In 2020, the Lord graciously enabled him to become the full-time teaching pastor at Living Word. Bob and Rochelle have four children.
Bob is passionate about teaching verse by verse through the Bible. His goal in expository preaching is to present Scripture clearly and understandably, explaining what a passage says, what it means, and how it applies to our lives. (You can listen to past sermons here.) He is dedicated to making disciples by pointing people to Jesus through the Word.
Phil McCluskey Sr, elder
Phil accepted the Lord as his Savior at the age of 15. Over the years, he has served in various church leadership roles in Wilmington and Greensboro, North Carolina.
In 2019, Phil and his wife, Vicki, became members of Living Word Bible Church. He is passionate about serving the congregation, organizing the Men’s Ministry, and deepening his understanding of God’s Word.
Phil served in the US Army, both Active and Reserves, for 31 years, retiring in 2011. His honors include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
Since 1989, he has worked in various Information Technology roles, and he is currently a Telecommunications Engineer with a clinical research organization in Wilmington.
Phil and Vicki are blessed with two remarkable sons, two exceptional daughters-in-law, and six beautiful grandchildren. They are grateful to God for their family and their church family at Living Word.
Phil McCluskey Jr, elder
Phillip and his wife, Amanda, are high school sweethearts and lifelong residents of the Wilmington area. They are blessed with two children, Madison and Meredith.
Together, Phillip and Amanda led a youth group for several years, serving many wonderful young people in the Leland area. In addition to their work with students, they have taken on various other lay positions to advance God’s kingdom. Phillip is passionate about servant leadership, striving to live out his faith through acts of service.
Phillip currently works full-time, remotely, in Operations at a clinical research organization, where he directs teams in pursuit of novel therapies for cancer.
