Our Ministry Staff

Samuel E. Vance | Senior Pastor

Samuel came to serve RABC as Senior Pastor in November 2012. He was born and raised in Northeast Mississippi. By God’ grace, he was raised in a Christian home where he heard the gospel proclaimed regularly. At the young age of 8, having realized both his own sinfulness and need for Jesus to save him, Samuel responded in faith by professing Jesus as his Lord and Savior. In his freshmen year of college at the University of Mississippi, he surrendered to the call to pastoral ministry. Shortly after, he transferred to Mississippi College where he graduated with his B.A. in 2000. Samuel has served churches in Mississippi as both an associate pastor and as a lead pastor before coming to Louisville, KY to pursue seminary education at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He obtained his Master of Divinity degree from SBTS in December of 2015.

Samuel has been blessed to be married to Martha, since August 5, 2006. They have four children: Rachel, Elias, Lydia and Naomi. Other than pastoral ministry, the preaching of God’s Word, and Biblical Counseling, Samuel enjoys SEC college football (Ole Miss fan), History, hunting, fishing, movies, grilling out, and time with his family.

@Samuel Vance

Svance@ralphavenuebaptist.com

Michael McGilbra Jr. | Associate Pastor

Michael McGilbra Jr. came to serve RABC as Assistant Pastor in February 2018. He was born and raised in North Las Vegas, Nevada. From 2005 to 2012, Michael served at Renaissance Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2012 he moved to Louisville to complete his degree at Boyce College. He served at Ninth and O Baptist Church from 2012 to 2018 in Children’s and Men’s Ministries. In May of 2018 he graduated from Boyce College with a B.A. in Expository Preaching and Pastoral Care. In November of 2018 he was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor. He is currently a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary pursuing his MDIV.

Michael has been blessed to be married to Tessa, since February 2005. He has two children: Aenias and Anisah. Outside of ministry he loves to play video games, go to the movies, bowling, sports and spending time with his family.

@Mcgilbrafamily