Senior Pastor

Rev. Spencer & Kris McPheron

Pastor Spencer McPheron has served as Sr. Pastor since July 2011. He was born in Herrin, IL, and blessed with the best parents in the universe. He graduated from Aransas Pass Christian Academy in Aransas Pass, TX. Upon graduation, he returned to Illinois to pursue higher education and a beautiful redhead named Kris Kirkman. He had little success in the first pursuit but fared much better in the latter. On June 2, 1990, Kris Kirkman agreed to change her name, and it's been joyful bliss ever since. The family grew as God blessed them with three children: Veronica (1994), Spencer (2001), and London (2003).

Education: Pastor McPheron attended Parkland College in Champaign, IL. where he studied Business Administration and Communication.  He also participated in Christian Life College Distance Learning Program, Stockton CA.

Experience: Pastor McPheron was employed 24 years with United Parcel Service (UPS).  He began to serve as youth minister in Villa Grove, IL in 1989 where he eventually served as Assistant Pastor through 2009.

Interests: Pastor McPheron’s favorite activity is spending time with his family. They enjoy traveling to new places, learning, and experiencing new things together.  He also enjoys playing basketball, chasing golf balls, fishing, playing music, singing, Christian apologetics, and politics.

You can contact Pastor Spencer McPheron personally here:

Phone: (217) 377-4437

Email: spencermcpheron@gmail.com

Bro. Richard & Sis. Alice Gray

Founding Pastor

The summer of 1970 will forever be a time of joy and remembrance. It’s when Richard and Alice Gray felt the Lord’s call to Heyworth. On November 11, 1970, they moved to their newly purchased house at 113 N. Buchanan Street. Services began that weekend at 103 E. Main Street in Heyworth with 8 people present.

The Gray’s pastored Full Gospel Tabernacle for 40 years. They built a strong foundation for the church and a great place of refuge for those in the community. They are now retired, attending Full Gospel Church, and holding nursing home services several times a month. They are continuing to minister and bless those in need. Once you have a true passion for the Lord, it never dies. We are so blessed and thankful for the great heritage they have given us.

Pastoral Associates

Jeremy & Cassandra Sawyer

Bro. Jeremy and Sis. Cassandra Sawyer have served in ministry over the past decade in various roles. During the fall of 2013, they felt called to Heyworth, IL from Oklahoma to serve as Children’s Pastor.

They filled that role from 2013-2017. At that time, they assumed the role of Youth Pastor while Sis. Sawyer assisted in Children’s Ministry. From 2017-2021 they were the Youth Pastors of Upside-Down Student Ministry. They now serve as Pastoral Associates at FGC and Pastor FGC's daughter work in Clinton, IL. In addition to Pastoral Associates, they coach our Jr. & Beg. Bible Quiz team. Bro. Jeremy and Sis. Cassandra have been blessed with five children of their own (Damon, Serenity, Christian, Brayden, and Collette).

Student Pastors

Kell & Amanda Carr

Bro. Kell and Sis. Amanda Carr have been involved in ministry for the last 10+ years. Devoted to youth and music ministry as well as serving as young marrieds coordinators. In January 2021, the Carrs felt a shift in their purpose, after much prayer and fasting, God revealed to them that they were called to FGC. Then in May of 2021, they relocated to Heyworth, IL, and have been serving in any way possible since then. They have a love for youth and look forward to building relationships with them and preparing them in every way they can to follow God’s will for their lives. They are a couple who love to have fun and invite others over for fellowship. Currently, it’s just the two of them and their English bulldogs, Brunno and Nyla. The couple has struggled with infertility for the last five years, but they are clinging to God’s promises from dreams, visions, and spoken word. Until they are parents to their blessings, they will continue to love their adoptive kids at FGC.