GABRIEL C. STOVALL
Augusta,GA
Summary
Pastoral leader, church builder, community partner and communicator with over two decades of ministry, leadership, award-winning journalism and community-service experience. Twenty years of pastoral leadership including extensive experience in church planting, church revitalization, discipleship, leadership development, organizational strategy and change and community engagement. Known for building bridges across generations and between congregations and the communities they serve, identifying and developing leaders, strengthening ministry structures and communicating vision in ways that move people toward meaningful action.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Pastor
James Paschal Missionary Baptist Church
Covington, GA
08.2023 - Current
- Leading a historic, 162-year old multigenerational congregation through organizational renewal, pastoral care, community engagement and ministry development. More than 60 individuals and families joined through baptism and new membership during the first year. Restructured a decades-old Constitution and Bylaws, restructured financial accounting and transparency methods, strengthened ministry leadership structures, appointed key ministry leaders, expanded & established community partnerships, including Partner In Education relationship with Newton High School, and helped guide the congregation through achieving nonprofit status.
Lead Pastor / Church Planter
The Connection Church of Augusta
Augusta, GA
05.2022 - Current
- Leading the transition from a traditional church-plant model toward an outreach-first, evangelistic ministry. Developed & implemented discipleship and leadership systems, oversaw baptisms and ordinations, and cultivated community relationships including a Partner in Education relationship with Bayvale Elementary.
Lead Pastor / Church Planter
NewLife Christian Church / Butler Street Baptist Church
Metro Atlanta, GA
11.2011 - 09.2017
- Led church planting, merger and revitalization efforts, including development of bylaws, policies, budgets, ministry teams and a core leadership structure. The merger produced significant congregational growth and expanded ministry reach.
Associate Pastor / Students Pastor
The Rock Baptist Church
Metro Atlanta, GA
10.2018 - 03.2021
- Supported senior pastoral leadership in church revitalization in a multicultural setting, led student ministry to substantial growth from 15 to 60 within the first 18 months, increased media footprint through social media, videography and storytelling which led to at least five new families joining the ministry through our media footprint alone within the first year, preaching, teaching and leadership development as assigned by senior pastor.
State Missionary & Collegiate Ministries Campus Pastor
Georgia Baptist Mission Board / Clayton State
Georgia
05.2014 - 08.2019
- Consulted with more than 45 churches, church plants and pastors in church revitalization statewide through the Southern Baptist Convention. Led churches through leadership development and ministry strategy sessions and served as Clayton State University's (Metro Atlanta) campus pastor, leading a campus ministry of over 100 college students.
Senior Pastor
Forest Chapel Baptist Church
Forest Park, GA
10.2006 - 11.2011
- Led a historic congregation in Metro Atlanta through organizational and ministry revitalization, growing the congregation from approximately 60 to 300 members. Established formal budgeting and financial-control systems, expanded student, media & Christian Education ministries and staff, strengthened evangelism and community outreach, licensed two ministers, including the first woman in the church's history, trained and ordained five new deacons and identified and developed other ministry and community leaders.
Good Morning Augusta Co-Anchor / Enterprise Reporter
WJBF NewsChannel 6
Augusta, GA
01.2024 - Current
- Co-anchor the Good Morning Augusta morning newscast and report enterprise stories across the CSRA; develop interviews, source relationships and community-focused storytelling. Co-host of The 6 Sports Podcast and contributes sports coverage.
Founder / Owner / Operator
Remarkable Publishing LLC
01.2015 - Current
- Founder of a multimedia publishing company providing writing services, manuscript editing, content creation, idea development and full-service book publishing support.
Juvenile Detention Chaplain
Release Ministries
Omaha, Nebraska
05.2003 - 12.2005
- Coordinated religious programming for a 300-person juvenile detention facility, led Bible studies and mentoring, developed devotional materials, recruited volunteers and served as a pastoral resource for youth and staff. Established first female chaplain assistant to better minister to the needs of the young girls of the inmate population.
Publisher & Editor
The Covington News
Covington, GA
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Oversaw day-to-day newspaper operations for multi-award-winning publication, including payroll, HR management and Profit & Loss management, provided editorial direction, and staff/freelance coordination for community coverage.
Senior Sports Writer / Social Media Strategist
Gannett / USA TODAY Network
Louisville, KY
02.2021 - 08.2022
- Covered high-school and NCAA Division I and Division II athletics while contributing social strategy and audience-development work.
Sports Editor
The Covington News
Covington, GA
09.2016 - 09.2019
- Built an award-winning multimedia sports operation covering seven high schools and three colleges; developed freelancers and interns, expanded digital/social coverage and produced special publications.
Senior Writer / Editor
North American Mission Board
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Created and edited long-form, digital, marketing and social content for a national ministry organization, helping churches communicate mission and ministry stories that resulted in more people engaging in missions work through hands-on participation or financial support.
Education
Master of Divinity -
City View Seminary
Augusta, GA10-2026
B.A. - Pastoral Ministry & Religious Studies
Luther Rice Seminary
05-2012
Mass Communications / Print Journalism -
University of NebraskaLincoln
Skills
- Pastoral Leadership
- Church Planting & Revitalization
- Biblical Preaching & Teaching
- Discipleship
- Leadership Development
- Strategic Vision & Organizational Development
- Community Partnerships
- Ministry Administration
- Governance & Bylaws
- Volunteer Development
- Staff Development
- Conflict Navigation
- Evangelism & Outreach
- Communications & Storytelling
Personal Information
Title: Pastoral Leader | Church & Organizational Strategist | Community Leader | Award-Winning Communicator
Custom
Licensed & Ordained Baptist Minister 2004 & 2007 respectively
COMMUNITY & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
- Clayton County Schools & Newton County Schools, Student Mentor / Partner in Education
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Volunteer Huddle Speaker
- Taylor Made Student Foundation, Board Member
- Newton Education Foundation, Board Member
- Proof of My Faith Ministries, Community/Ministry Leadership
Timeline
Good Morning Augusta Co-Anchor / Enterprise Reporter
WJBF NewsChannel 6
01.2024 - Current
Senior Pastor
James Paschal Missionary Baptist Church
08.2023 - Current
Publisher & Editor
The Covington News
08.2022 - 06.2023
Lead Pastor / Church Planter
The Connection Church of Augusta
05.2022 - Current
Senior Sports Writer / Social Media Strategist
Gannett / USA TODAY Network
02.2021 - 08.2022
Senior Writer / Editor
North American Mission Board
01.2019 - 01.2021
Associate Pastor / Students Pastor
The Rock Baptist Church
10.2018 - 03.2021
Sports Editor
The Covington News
09.2016 - 09.2019
Founder / Owner / Operator
Remarkable Publishing LLC
01.2015 - Current
State Missionary & Collegiate Ministries Campus Pastor
Georgia Baptist Mission Board / Clayton State
05.2014 - 08.2019
Lead Pastor / Church Planter
NewLife Christian Church / Butler Street Baptist Church
11.2011 - 09.2017
Senior Pastor
Forest Chapel Baptist Church
10.2006 - 11.2011
Juvenile Detention Chaplain
Release Ministries
05.2003 - 12.2005
Master of Divinity -
City View Seminary
B.A. - Pastoral Ministry & Religious Studies
Luther Rice Seminary
Mass Communications / Print Journalism -
University of NebraskaLincoln