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Staff Bios 

Sam Belisle ~ Senior Pastor
Pastor Sam has committed his life to serving, helping, and ministering to others.  He has been the Senior Pastor at Celebration since 1995.  Pastor Sam began his work in Youth ministry, and has been serving in full-time ministry since 1976.  Pastor Sam is an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, Cleveland, TN.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Lee University and a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from the Master’s Graduate School of Divinity, an affiliate of Trinity University.  He is the father of two young adult children, Josh and Jennifer.  Pastor Sam’s greatest desire is to win the lost to Christ and encourage people to grow in their relationship with God.

Interesting facts about Pastor Sam:

• He is a native of Florida and likes having fun in the sun with the sand under his feet.
• His favorite food is Mexican which he eats every Wednesday and every other chance he can.
• He enjoys playing softball and traveling with Susan.

 

Terry W. Kemp ~ Sr. Children’s Pastor
Terry has served as the Sr. Children’s Pastor at Celebration since 1998. He has been actively involved in Children’s Ministry for the past thirty years.  His experience includes directing Children’s Worship Services, conducting Vacation Bible Schools and Kid’s Crusades, organizing Community Outreach Events, conducting Ministry Training Courses, serving as Boys Ministries Leader, and volunteering as a Summer Camp Counselor.  Terry is a 1987 Graduate of Virginia Tech University, majoring in Architecture with a minor in History.  He is married to Tammy who is the Coordinator of the Children’s Music Ministry.  Tammy and Terry have two beautiful children, Zachary and Hannah.  

Interesting facts about Terry:

• He is a Professional Clown and Founder of ‘The Sonshine Company’ Children’s Ministry Team.
• He was awarded the “Shepherd’s Cup” Award in 2005 for excellence and lifetime achievement award in Children’s Ministry. 
• He enjoys coaching youth Basketball and Soccer.

 

Stephanie Alderson ~ Jr. Children’s Pastor
Stephanie has attended Celebration Church since 2001 and has served as the Jr. Children’s Pastor since 2007.  She oversees the Little Lambs Nursery and Jr. Children’s Church – Celebration Station.  Stephanie also works as a teacher at a Christian Daycare.  Stephanie has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Virginia Western Community College.  She loves children and has worked with them most of her life.  She believes that the world can be a better place a hundred years from now because she touched the lives of children.   Stephanie is happily married to Bill, and they have two beautiful children, Grant and Erika. 

Interesting  facts about Stephanie:

• She loves anything to do with Mickey Mouse and is a collector of Mickey Mouse memorabilia.
• She is a Tennessee Volunteers fan. GO VOLS!!
• Her favorite few:  Food – chocolate; color – purple; quote – “If God brings you to it, He can bring you through it.”               

 

Kevin Wilson ~ Worship Pastor
Kevin joined the ministry team at Celebration in 2006 as Worship Pastor. Kevin also leads Celebration’s Family Life Ministry.  Kevin has been in full-time ministry since 1996 also serving as Music Minister and Youth Pastor in Pennsylvania and Southern Ohio.  Whether serving on state & community boards or ministering at schools, youth camps, conferences, revivals, or retreats, Kevin believes in cultivating the gifts in others and helping them reach their God-given potential. Kevin and his wife, Julie, are passionate about worship and desire to be gatekeepers (Psalm 84:10) propping open the gates of heaven so the glory of God is seen on earth as a result of pure, uninhibited, and passionate praise & worship.

Interesting facts about Kevin:

• He enjoys kick-starting his day by challenging our other Pastors to a game of racquetball.
• He spends most days listening to his favorite black gospel CD cranked up as loud as he can get away with!
• His favorite time of the year is……….Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl – whole wheat of course.

 

Susan Belisle ~ Discipleship Pastor
Susan has served as the Discipleship Pastor at Celebration since 2004.  She also leads Women’s Ministries and supports our church in various administrative capacities.  Susan grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Lee University in Cleveland, TN where she received a Bachelor’s degree.  She later earned a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University.  Her professional work experience includes management, human resources, and training & development.  Susan’s passion is to help people identify their spiritual gifts, discover their life purpose, and achieve their God-given potential. 

Interesting facts about Susan:

• She likes sharing through speaking, teaching, and writing and hopes to publish a book some day.
• She has been singing and involved in church music since she was a child.
• She enjoys traveling with her husband, Sam.  Her favorite vacation was a trip to Israel. 

 

Gerardo Betancourt ~ Hispanic Pastor
Gerardo has served as our Hispanic Ministries Pastor since 2007.  He and his wife, Marisol, began our Hispanic Ministry with a small group of people and have grown it substantially in a short period of time.  Gerardo is a native of Columbia, South America and has resided in the United States since 1995.  Gerardo is a licensed minister with the Church of God, Cleveland, TN.  Gerardo has many years of experience working in food services, sales, and landscaping. His passion, however, is to win people to Christ.  This passion comes from the profound way that Christ transformed his life.  Gerardo is the father of five children and also a grandfather.  

Interesting facts about Gerardo:

• He enjoys playing racquetball and soccer.
• He is a professionally trained chef specializing in Italian and American cuisine.
• He is a “people person” who has never met a stranger.  

 

Maribel Vega ~ Administrative Assistant
Maribel has attended Celebration Church since 2008 and became our Administrative Secretary in March 2009. She has an Associate’s Degree in Computer Business Application from Miami College and has many years of experience working with computers. Her professional work experience includes computers, technical support, customer service and training. Maribel and her husband, Luis, and daughters Delaney and Melody are from Puerto Rico and have lived in Roanoke for more than 10 years. Maribel and her husband, Luis, have a passion to serve the church and are very involved in working with various ministries including our Hispanic ministry. They both grew up in Christian families and have always been involved in a number of different church ministries.

Interesting facts about  Maribel:

• Her favorite activity is spending time with her family taking road trips, fishing, going to the park, bowling, and skating.
• Maribel and her family enjoy the winter season and making a snow man, sledding, and playing in the snow.
• Her hobbies are photography, computers, and listening to music.

 

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