A Light Upon The Shore
MEET OUR STAFF
Jonathan Carpenter
Pastor
Pastor Carpenter returned in January 2007 to his hometown of Exmore, VA, in order to pastor Exmore Baptist Church. After giving his heart to Christ at Exmore Baptist Church in 1984 at the age of nine, he accepted God's call to the gospel ministry in June of 1986. Jonathan began preaching in churches throughout Virginia's Eastern Shore at the age of 15. He has preached at campgrounds, jails, and nursing homes and conducted revivals in several states.
Pastor Carpenter attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, where he sat under the preaching ministry of Dr. Jerry Falwell and was privileged on one occasion to preach at Pastor Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church. It was while he was at Liberty that Jonathan met his future wife, Stacey Harcum. The Lord has blessed them with two children, Andrew and Bethany.
Jonathan's desire and vision is to see souls saved, Christians revived, and the kingdom of God advanced.
Christopher "Kit" Laxton
Associate Pastor
Kit surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ on June 29, 1981 at a tent revival on the grounds of Accomac Elementary School. He has since served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, lay leader, and has offered pulpit supply to many churches on Virginia's Eastern Shore. In June of 2018, Kit accepted the call to serve as the Associate Pastor of Exmore Baptist Church. The Lord has blessed him with his wife, Kim and his sons, Philip and Caleb. In addition, Kit is the Parole Supervisor for the Department of Juvenile Justice for Accomack and Northampton Counties.
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Isaiah 40:31 - "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Karen Burton
Ministry Assistant
Karen grew up attending Exmore Baptist Church. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of twelve.
Karen has served in her home church since her teenagers years in areas such as Vacation Bible School, Children's Ministry and several other volunteer positions. She along with her husband, Robert currently lead the Youth Ministry of Exmore Baptist.
She was hired as Ministry Assistant in November 2014.
Robert and Karen are blessed with five children, Kelsey, Scott, Derek, Lenny and Kaitlyn. They also have three grandchildren, Madison, Vanette and Elizabeth.
Norma Lewis
Secretary
Norma was hired by Rev. Terry Harper in September 1974 to fill the newly formed position of Church Secretary. Nine Pastors later and after serving for 40 years the Lord began to prepare Norma for semi-retirement. The Lord led Norma's daughter, Karen Burton, to fill the position as Ministry Assistant beginning in November 2014. Norma says it is a blessing to be able to continue working in the Church that she loves in a part-time position. One of Norma's favorite song is "Born to Serve" and she truly believes that working for the Lord's Church and for His people is exactly what the Lord's plan was and is for her life.
