Lead Pastor Search

The first Lead Pastor Search update will be given at the Annual Church Meeting on March 22, 2026 at 5pm. 

A summary note from Greg and Suzanne:

I would like to share an update with you today to help bring you up to speed on my current situation. This is very hard and we do not understand, but we do trust that God has a plan and His plan is good. The doctor said I have experienced a "perfect storm scenario," and that with the intense stress of ministry and a very unexpected triple bypass surgery, that as a result I would struggle with areas of executive function. Unfortunately, and for the sake of this wonderful church that God called me to plant and lead these 15 plus years, we do not have the "luxury of time." As Coastal's leader, I must make decisions for the greatest good of this ministry going forward.

And so, with humility and heartbreak, I acknowledge that my executive function and processing skill is not working at a level for me to continue to make major financial and administrative decisions for the church. There is a lot we don't know right now, but what we do know is that in light of my current medical issues Suzanne and I came to the decision that I needed to step down from the Lead Pastor role at Coastal. This decision came with much prayer and reflection. Therefore, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, we met with the Board of Trustees and the Teaching Pastoral Staff, and with their blessing, I officially stepped down as Lead Pastor and assumed the role of Founding Pastor of Coastal. I want to thank the Trustees and the Pastoral staff for being there for us through all of the issues I have been dealing with. These men are my brothers, and I love them like family. We have a special bond together! They've walked through this with me and Suzanne and have been there all along praying and believing God for healing with us. We know and still believe God can heal, but even if He doesn't, we will trust Him and by His grace remain steadfast and faithful to complete the tasks He gives us. We had believed our scenario was just a detour for a season, but it has become clearer that this is actually the path that God has us on at this time for reasons that only He knows. You may remember how Jacob wrestled with the Lord in Genesis 32 and how God blessed him but left him with a limp. Well, like Jacob, I have wrestled with the Lord in all this over the last several weeks and even though I'm limping a bit, in my wrestle, His blessing to me was giving me peace that this is the right step to take for the future of Coastal. This looks nothing like I had imagined, but as I've surrendered my will to His, He has faithfully granted the grace of His increasing peace that all will be well. God is not caught off guard. He never makes mistakes, and His plans are always for His glory and our good.

As you are processing this, I'm certain you are wondering what our next steps will be. I am a blessed and highly favored servant of the Most High God and He is not finished with me yet and He is just beginning a new thing at Coastal. My heart's desire is that our church will continue to grow and impact Wilmington and mission fields around the world for God's glory in ways none of us could have imagined and I am believing Him for it! God has picked up His pen and is writing a new chapter in the story of His Bride at Coastal and I am excited for all of us to be a part of it.

Upon relinquishing the position of Lead Pastor and taking on my role of Founding Pastor, I will continue serving Coastal in every way that I am able. I will continue to shepherd and care for our church families and work tirelessly to accomplish the mission we have to "Passionately help people find and follow Jesus!" I will work in tandem with our Pastoral Teaching team and as God allows and leads, I will preach occasionally. We will work together in unity to serve our Coastal family and maintain our focus of hearing, following, and obeying God's guidance for Coastal.

At our meeting on January 27°1, I commissioned Pastors Chad, Aaron, Matt, and the Board of Trustees to form the team to search for a new Lead Pastor that shares our theology, our mission, and our stewardship emphasis. While I know this team will faithfully and prayerfully seek to fulfill this solemn and momentous task as soon as possible, I also know that God's timing is perfect and He always has His leaders prepared when He moves. Throughout all of scripture God faithfully implemented succession plans for His work. He called Abraham. He put Joshua in place after Moses, David after Saul, Solomon after David, Elisha after Elijah and so on. In the New Testament He sent Jesus, who upon His ascension sent the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every believer and now empowers all disciples of Jesus to do the work of the ministry and fulfill the great commission. The God Who faithfully has done all of this and more, will certainly direct us to the new Lead Pastor He already has picked for Coastal. Additionally, in the days ahead, this team will give updates to inform the church family of progress in this endeavor. In the interim, our pastoral team will continue to lead well and faithfully teach God's Word with passion and integrity. I am confident in each of them, and they have proven themselves faithful to the call on their lives over and over again.

I thank you for allowing me to have been your Lead Pastor these years together. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Suzanne and I covet your prayers. Please know that we carry you all in our hearts and pray for you constantly. As much as Suzanne and I love Coastal, God loves Coastal even more. God has His hand on this church, and I am confident that the best is yet to come! We are praying that God will double Coastal over the next few years so that more lives and families will be forever changed for God's glory.
Coastal is our home, and we are not going anywhere. So, Coastal Family, let's stay faithful, stay prayerful, and stay grateful for all God has done and will continue to do.

"Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, AMEN!" Eph 3:20

With all our love, Greg and Suzanne Hales

According to our bylaws under section 8, it states that the pulpit committee shall conceits of the pastoral staff and trustees.
The current CCBC Trustees are Truett Booth, Chuck Smith, and Dr. Greg Viehman.
The current Pastoral Team is Pastor Chad Hall, Pastor Aaron Lee and Pastor Matt Hogan. 

We will not have an interim Lead Pastor. At the direction of Pastor Greg, he requested that Pastor Chad, as the exective pastor contiune to lead the staff in day to day operations for the church. He also selected Pastor Chad to work with the directional leadershhip team which includes Pastor Aaron and Pastor Matt to assit. He also selected Truett Booth, who is the acting Vice Chair of the Trustees, to lead and guide the Trustees. It is was also Pastor Greg's, desire during the interim, the Pastoral Team will continue to preach messages on Sundays.

We commit to navigating this transition prayerfully, thoughtfully, and patiently. Updates on our journey will be shared regularly as we discern the steps God is guiding us towards! The team recognizes this is soloey based on the leading of the Holy Spirit and understand this process could take anywhere from 6 to 18 months. 

There are several ways we can all participate in the search process. First and foremost, please pray. Our aim is for God’s will to be done. Second, continue being the church through your serving, giving, and patient support of the process. Next, please share this page with anyone you know who may qualify as a candidate.
Per the bylaws, once a candidate has been selected, that candidate will be presented before the congregational members for a final vote.  

If you know someone who may be qualified for this opportunity, please share this webpage with them. They can submit a resume by clicking on the ‘VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION’ button above.

We are committed to communicating monthly during services or special called meetings to provide updates. You’ll find the most current updates on this page. 

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• Thank God for their years of faithful leadership.
• Pray for wisdom as for transitions to Founding Pastor.
• Ask God to guide them in using their gifts here, near, and far.
• Pray for unity and encouragement for their family in this season.
• Continued prayer for healing

• Pray for unity and spiritual alignment among committee members.
• Ask God to guide with steady leadership and wisdom.
• To trust in God’s provision.
• Pray for discernment as they assess candidates.
• Ask God to guide in evaluating each candidate’s mission-fit.
• Pray for balance in each member’s spiritual and personal life.
• Ask God to strengthen and support their families during this time.

• Thank God for His faithfulness throughout Coastal’s journey.
• Pray for courage to follow God into new and bold places.
• Ask God to bring joy and unity in Coastal’s ongoing mission.
• Pray for hearts open to God’s vision over personal preferences.
• Intercede for a deepened culture of prayer and dependence on God.
• Ask God for wisdom and grace for leaders guiding this transition.
• Pray for church family and staff to have peace, stamina, creativity amid change and stay the course as God has called you to be apart of the Coastal family. 

• Pray the one God is calling would hear and respond to His voice.
• Ask God for peace and clarity throughout the interview process.
• Intercede for the candidate’s family as they consider a move.
• Pray for comfort and preparation within their current church.
• Ask God to give them strength to finish their ministry well.
• Pray for provision in housing, schools, and daily needs.
• Ask God to prepare Coastal to receive the new pastor with unity and joy.