Executive Leadership Team
James D. Gailliard | Senior Pastor
Pastor James David Gailliard is the Organizing and Senior Pastor of Word Tabernacle Church located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. At the intersection of pastoral ministry and public policy he has formed a collaborative model of human, socio-political- economic and community development – another avenue by which he has accomplished this was by serving two consecutive terms in the North Carolina General Assembly, becoming “living history” as the only person of color to be elected to represent House District 25 (Nash-Rocky Mount). As a Commissioner of MyFutureNC, he is one of the architects of the statewide educational attainment goal.
Visionary, pioneer, leader, humanitarian, and philanthropist, Pastor Gailliard was named the 2016 Distinguished Citizen by the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce, and most recently recognized for making an impact within his community as the recipient of the 2023 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the Founder-Chairman of The REACH Center, Inc, a member of the Board of Trustees, Elizabeth City State University as well as the Board of Preachers, Morehouse College, his alma mater, and he is the former Chairman of the Board for the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. His academic background is an unusual combination of theology, counseling, and business administration.
Pastor Gailliard is a proud husband to Angela, with whom he shares a blended family of seven children and three grandchildren. Affectionately known as Pastor G, he is a spiritual father, son, and brother to many. To unwind, he can be found on his Harley Davidson or shooting a game of pool.
Angela Watkins Gailliard
Angela Watkins Gailliard is one of the fourteen founding members of Word Tabernacle Church. She joined the staff part-time in 2007 to manage administrative operations, establishing systems and policies. The church was growing so quickly that she became a full-time staff member in 2009. Angela held several growing roles from Finance Director to Chief Operations Officer. She was the Chief Corporate Officer before leaving full-time employment with WTC to join Golden LEAF Foundation as a Director of Programs in 2022. Prior to Word Tabernacle Church, Angela held leadership positions in operations, finance, and engineering at several large corporations including Procter & Gamble and Cummins, Inc.
In addition to her many years of corporate work experience, Angela has continually served in her community for over thirty years, holding leadership roles with many notable nonprofit organizations including Edgecombe Community College Foundation, Board Treasurer (Tarboro, NC); Down East Partnership for Children, Board Treasurer (Rocky Mount, NC); and Big Brothers Big Sisters, Board President (Columbus, IN).
In 2023, Angela was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to serve on the Board of Trustees for Nash Community College. She also currently serves as President-elect and VP-Planning Committee for United Way Tar River Region, and Audit Committee Chair for North Carolina Community Foundation.
Angela holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. She is also a graduate of Leadership North Carolina Class XVI.
Angela is known for her passion for numbers, but also for her passion for children. She is married to Pastor James David Gailliard. They have a blended family of seven children and three grandchildren.
Kyle Johnson | Next Generation Pastor
Kyle has been a part of Word Tabernacle since 2007. He transitioned from being a public-school teacher to being on staff in 2012. He has served in many capacities including deaf and student ministries, Associate Pastor, and Executive Pastor. He is now our Next Generation Pastor and Director of the Thrive Institute. He brings a high level of energy and passion to all he does and just as much commitment to Christ, the church, and the community. He has Bachelor of Science in English Edcuation, his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently studying for his Master of Business Administration from Fayetteville State University. His experience in various fields is well partnered with passion for equipping others to invest in the Next Generation, prepare people to become life-long disciples, and equip individuals through education, training, and empowered relationship. He, his wife Danielle, and their three daughters Kendall, Olivia, and Emery all love being a part of the Word Tabernacle Church family.
Lenny Battle | Worship Pastor
Lenny serves as our Worship Pastor and hails from Lawton, Oklahoma. He's an author, singer, songwriter, and soldier, blending more than two decades of military and music ministry experience. His musical journey began at age eight in his hometown orchestra, where he played the cello for four years, and later became a self-taught pianist by age twelve. He enlisted in the Army in 2009 and has served in various combat operations around the world, while maintaining his burning passion for the ministry of music in the local church and making disciples of Jesus. He's been married to his wife, Alicia, since 2010 and together they have two beautiful daughters.
Trishonda Roberson | Lead Community Pastor
Trishonda is the Executive Director for The REACH Center, a nonprofit organization that focuses on homelessness prevention, food insecurity, healthcare, and violence against women. She also serves as the Lead Community Pastor for our Center for Community and Capacity. Trishonda previously worked as a Registered Nurse in the area of mental health and substance abuse for over 15 years. She is a graduate of Fruitland Bible College, receiving a certificate in Christian Ministry and holds certificates in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and the NC Rural Economic Development Institute. She has does extensive work around leadership development in Kenya. Trishonda co-authored the book, “Unmasked and Unashamed: Real Women, Real Stories”, which parallels the stories of nine woman today with women from the Bible. Trishonda’s deepest passion is to assist individuals to move from a place of uncertainty and complacency to a life of self-discovery and maximizing their greatest potential.
Rhonda Washington | E-City Campus Pastor
Rhonda currently serves as a minister of the online E-City campus. She formerly served as Director of Media and Broadcast for over 15 years. Her heart has always been to take the Gospel beyond the church walls. She believes if you do not know God, you cannot grow in the favor of God. Rhonda is currently married to Clarence since 2008, they have two children and two grandchildren. Rhonda and her husband currently reside in Wilson, NC.
Dwight Flowers | Tarboro Community Pastor
Dwight is the Community Thrive Pastor for the Tarboro Community and surrounding areas. He also is an Executive Team Member and leads a New Members Teaching Team. Dwight obtained his biblical training from Fruitland Bible College where he received a Certificate in Christian Leadership. He is passionate about God, His Word and His People, which leads him to share Christ every opportunity that he gets. Dwight has been married to his wife, Tameika since 2008 and they share one son, Aaron. He is a devoted Man of God, husband and father.
Lorenza Johnson | Minister
Lorenza Johnson joined Word Tabernacle Church 2011. He enrolled into Fruitland Bible College to gain a greater understanding of the word of God. He was employed with Word Tabernacle working in the Campus and Facilities Department while enrolled in school. It was here where he completed and graduated with his certification in Biblical Counseling in 2017 and Christian Leadership in 2018. This is where he was able to use the gifts and educational training to really fulfill the plans God has for the people of God. He serves as an Altar Counselor and is a part of the Executive Team.
Albert McWilliams | Director of Campus Operations
Albert McWilliams is the Facilities Director at Word Tabernacle Church. He supports the organization by overseeing the maintenance of The Impact Center and auxiliary sites. Albert graduated from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Albert brings over 20 years of management and leadership experience to Word Tabernacle Church. Albert is the husband to Jamika and the father of 4; Kada, Sonye’, Alysha and Albert III (Tre’). Albert has been a member of Word Tabernacle Church since 2006.
Malcolm Allen | Venue Management
Malcolm Allen serves as Venue Manager for The Impact Center. This role currently oversees all production elements for Word Tabernacle church as well as the strategic development for the Impact Center. He has 30+ years of venue operations, production design and execution. Malcolm has provided media consultation, audio engineering and production management services to many of the world’s most notable clientele. It is his ultimate mission in ministry to grow media teams and educate them on production efficiencies so that the gospel can be spread to the world through media as the vessel.
Latoya Greene | TIA Director
Latoya Greene is the Director of Operations for the Impact Academy-Preschool. She is graduate of Wilson Community College with an AAS in Early Childhood Education with a certification in Administration. She received her undergrad degree from the illustrious North Carolina Central University. She majored in Family and Consumer science with a concentration in Child Development and Family Relations. She has worked in the field of education for the last 9 years in various capacities. She has 3 beautiful daughters, Makayla, Kyla and Xada. She is committed to the implementation of early education and developing children holistically within the community.
Stephanie Battle | Associate Pastor
After a 15-year career in Higher Education, Stephanie transitioned to Word Tabernacle Church to serve as the Associate Pastor, overseeing the Centers of Faith and Family and Health and Wellness. Her passion for education and educating others, exudes in all that she does, as she strives to walk out her life and ministry mission utilizing the skills and spiritual gifts that God has given her, to support people in maximizing their spiritual gifts to the glory of God. Stephanie is currently pursuing a Masters of Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Ministry from Carolina University. She has Master of Education from North Carolina A&T State University, along with a Biblical Counseling Certificate from Fruitland Bible College. Stephanie is married to Jason Battle, and they have three children - McKinley, Jason, Jr., and Mayah, who all enjoy learning and growing at Word Tabernacle Church.