Chesapeake Christian Church Welcomes New Lead Pastor

By Amy Koenig

The Chesapeake Christian Church is a warm and vibrant community. Recently they have welcomed a new lead pastor into their mix, Bishop Greg Copley.

Bishop Copley grew up in West Virginia. His first taste of ministry came from home, “through observing his father lovingly shepherding his flock,” according to his bio. He has spent 18 years in the ministry himself. Prior to joining the Chesapeake Christian Church, Bishop Copley was involved in youth ministries. He served both at the local and at the national level. His service included training youth ministry leaders and organizing national events for youth ministries.

Even though he grew up the son of a church leader, he didn’t always think it would be the road for him; he spent a few years having a successful business as a master electrician. Despite these corporate successes, Copley followed his calling from God.

Coplay explained that he and his wife ended up here because they had been seeking a change of direction, and through a series of events, God led them here. “I love the area, and the diversity of the church.”

Coplay and his wife Becky have two children, and with his history in youth ministries he is making it part of his goal with the Chesapeake Christian Church to focus on the youth. As part of his online welcome message, Copley says, “Our doors are open to people of all backgrounds and cultures, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. We are a contemporary Pentecostal church that loves the family and desires to see each individual grow.”

The church offers many different services for its youth members. These accommodations include nursery care during services, a branch it calls “Kingdom Kids” for children 5-11,”Kid’s Club” for the older kids where they divide into separate groups for boys and girls, and last but not least, the Youth Pastor, Debbie Lewis, leads their student ministry section, devoted to teens from grades 6-12.

Aside from the focus on the youth, the Chesapeake Christian Church is keeping up with the times; it is using social media and a website to connect with its members. On the church’s Facebook page, you can find upcoming events, as well as responses from people who have attended. Fred A. Abbott commented on the announcement of a meet and greet for the new pastor, saying, “You will enjoy Greg and Becky Copley, they are a great couple and will do a great job at CCC!”

Bishop Copley said the use of social media to connect the members of the church has become a “major part of communication in the world today.” The church’s use of this form of contact will likely aid Bishop Copley in his goal of making children and youth a major focus within the church.

More information about the church and its leaders can be found on their website, at www.ccc-cog.org.