Molly Swander
Director of Children’s Ministries
For nearly a decade, Molly Swander has helped create the environments where some of our youngest church family members first encounter the love of Jesus. As the leader of our children’s ministry, she combines a deep love for kids with a remarkable ability to build systems, support families, and care for people behind the scenes.
Although Molly spent ten years teaching in Christian preschool classrooms, she never expected to step into church ministry. But after moving to Wilmington, struggling to find the right teaching opportunity, and unexpectedly finding out she was pregnant with their third daughter, a Grow Zone position opened up. Looking back, Molly can clearly see God's hand guiding the timing of it all.
Her passion for children is deeply rooted in her own story. Growing up, Molly experienced significant challenges and hardship, but she can now look back and see God's presence faithfully guiding and protecting her through every season. That perspective shapes the way she approaches ministry today.
"We don't know the stories of all the families and children we serve," Molly shared. "But we do get to be the light of the world, and God could be using us to plant a seed in their lives that will grow over time."
When asked what brings her the most joy, her answer is immediate: kids.
"I love kids so much," she said. "The way they express emotion, ask questions, and believe so wholeheartedly. I love it all."
Her friend and coworker, Kayla Daughtridge, described Molly as reliable, generous, and resilient. After working alongside her for nearly ten years, Kayla shared that Molly is one of the most trustworthy leaders she knows.
"Molly has such a passion for families," Kayla said. "She brings joy and peace to our environments and works incredibly hard to help kids and families feel seen, known, and loved."
While many people see Molly greeting children and high-fiving families on Sunday mornings, much of her impact happens behind the scenes. Kayla described her as a fierce advocate for kids and families, someone who works tirelessly to create safe, welcoming environments where children can grow in their faith.
One memory that stands out came after attending a children's ministry conference together. Inspired by what they learned, Molly helped transform a classroom with hundreds of glow-in-the-dark stars to help children experience the wonder of God's promise to Abraham. It was a simple but powerful reminder of something that defines her leadership: helping children not just learn Bible stories, but experience them with awe and wonder.
After ten years on staff, Molly remains passionate about helping children encounter Jesus and helping families take their next steps in faith. And if you ask her, she'll tell you that serving in children's ministry isn't something you're giving up your time to do... it's something you're missing out on if you haven't experienced it yet!
Thank you, Molly, for the countless ways you serve our church family, advocate for children, support parents, and help create spaces where the next generation can discover who God is. Your faithfulness has shaped thousands of small moments that continue to make a lasting impact!
Warren King
Creative Technician
Twenty-four years ago, Warren King walked into Port City for the first time after a friend told him about a church that met in a middle school. He and his wife came to check it out and quickly realized they had found their church home. Twenty years later, Warren continues to play a vital role in helping our church communicate the story of what God is doing.
As part of the Media and Production team, Warren combines two gifts that don't often come together: technical expertise and creative vision. What began as volunteering with the production team soon grew into a calling and career that has helped shape the way our church experiences gatherings, stories, and messages week after week.
For Warren, ministry has always been about helping people encounter truth in meaningful ways. One of the things he loves most is helping communicate message content through storytelling, visuals, and creative presentation. Yet much of what he does happens behind the scenes.
"When I am doing well at my job," Warren shared, "it is invisible."
That's because many of the systems, infrastructure, and tools he oversees exist to help other people do their jobs well. When everything is working, most people never notice the countless details being managed behind the curtain.
His friend and coworker, Andy Sellers, our Port City HR Director, describes Warren as someone whose enthusiasm is contagious.
"Warren can find excitement for the smallest things that most people have never stopped to consider or appreciate," Andy shared. "He's so excited about the world around him, and hearing him talk about it through his eyes is always a joy."
Andy also pointed to Warren's unique combination of technical skill and artistic creativity as one of his greatest strengths. He understands both the infrastructure that makes ministry possible and the beauty of what that infrastructure helps create.
After two decades on staff, what continues to fuel Warren's passion is seeing genuine life change.
"Seeing true formation in people's lives keeps me going," he said. "I love to see and be a part of people walking with God in real ways."
Warren also loves that Port City is a place where people can ask questions, seek understanding, find joy in simple things, and know they are valued. Those same qualities are reflected in the way he serves—bringing curiosity, creativity, steadiness, and joy to everything he does.
As Andy put it, "Warren brings joy to Sunday mornings."
Thank you, Warren, for the countless ways you help support our staff with all things IT and help our church tell stories, communicate truth, and create spaces where people can encounter God. Much of your work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout our entire church family.
Rick Shafer
Director of Faith Formation
Twenty-four years ago, Rick Shafer and his family were looking for a church home after returning from a season in missions. They visited several churches around Wilmington before attending a midweek gathering at Port City’s Shipyard Boulevard offices. What they found was a young church with a deep desire to help people experience authentic life with God and invite others into it.
Rick has now been part of the Port City family for nearly a quarter century and has served on staff for the last 13 years.
Today, Rick serves on our leadership team, cares for our international mission partners, helps shape discipleship and spiritual formation across our church, and spends much of his time thinking about the big-picture questions of how people grow in their relationship with God.
At the heart of Rick’s journey is a conviction that transformed the way he understood faith. In his mid-twenties, he was introduced to a vision of God’s Kingdom not as a list of rules or propositions, but as an invitation into freedom, flourishing, and a completely different way of life.
“The Bible came alive to me,” Rick shared. “Christianity was no longer a set of propositions or rules, but a way of life that could really make a difference in people’s lives and in the world.”
That perspective continues to shape everything he does. Whether serving in missions, ministry, or leadership, Rick’s desire is simple: to help people not just know about God, but truly know Him.
One of the things bringing Rick the most joy in this season is watching younger generations carry that message forward.
“It makes me hopeful,” he said, “that God’s greatness, goodness, and nearness can be known for generations to come.”
For many people, Rick’s influence is felt through his teaching, writing, and leadership. But for others, especially our international partners around the world, his impact is often deeply personal.
When asked what comes to mind when they think of Rick, one of our international mission partners, Alice and Trey shared, “His intentionality and the generosity in his compassion.”
They described Rick as someone who listens well, advocates faithfully, and consistently creates connections that help others flourish. Even when their work happens far from Wilmington and largely out of sight, Rick has remained a steady source of encouragement and support.
“It's often the roles that aren't in person that get left till last,” Alice and Trey shared, “yet he has always reached out and held us up.”
That commitment to people reflects what so many have experienced over the years. Rick has a remarkable ability to connect people, ask thoughtful questions, and help others see how God might be at work in their lives.
What Rick loves most about Port City is that we continue striving to be a church where everyone is welcome, where questions are encouraged, where we learn from our mistakes, and where we keep finding new ways to belong to one another.
In this season, he is especially encouraged that more and more people are beginning to say “our church” rather than “this church.”
It’s a fitting reflection of Rick’s own heart. For decades, he has quietly helped people discover that life with God was never meant to be lived alone, but together.
Thank you, Rick, for your wisdom, faithfulness, curiosity, and the countless ways you continue helping people know and walk with God!
Brett Eddy
Middle School Pastor
When Brett Eddy first walked into Port City 25 years ago, he wasn't convinced he'd found his church home. The music was louder than he was used to, the setting was a middle school cafeteria, and, as a New Jersey native, he jokes that he had a hard time keeping up with Pastor Mike's fast-paced Southern accent. But after getting connected in a small group, something changed. "Port City started feeling like home."
Nearly 23 years on staff later, Brett has become one of the steady, familiar leaders who has helped countless students discover that same sense of belonging.
Brett's journey into student ministry began as a volunteer in Treasure Island before someone persistently invited him to serve as a middle school small group leader. He eventually said yes, fell in love with the ministry, and never looked back.
"I loved getting to lead games, create fun experiences, and teach kids about Jesus," Brett shared. "Those are skills that were developed in me as a young person, and I still get to use them today."
Today, as part of our Student Ministries team, Brett says his greatest joy isn't standing on stage. It's watching relationships take root.
"I love walking through Studio 3 on Wednesday nights and seeing our leaders talking with students, throwing footballs, kicking soccer balls, or even playing tag. That's the basis of good ministry—building relationships with students."
While those two hours on Wednesday nights may seem effortless, Brett shared that they represent countless hours of planning, reviewing, praying, and refining because the team knows how significant those moments can be in the life of a middle school student.
What keeps him passionate after more than two decades is simple: "Knowing we're planting seeds that have the potential to blossom into devoted walks with God. We may not always see the results, but God is faithful, and the Holy Spirit is always at work."
Our Family Ministries Pastor, Chris Sasser (a.k.a. "Sass"), describes Brett as someone who brings both energy and intentionality everywhere he goes. "Brett takes real responsibility for both the integrity of the gospel and the work of God's Kingdom," Sass shared. "He works extremely hard, has a real eye for details, and genuinely loves middle school students and understands the phase of life they're walking through."
Sass also pointed to something many people never see. "Brett is a real learner. He spends a lot of time reading, listening to podcasts, and seeking to grow in both his understanding of God and how to do ministry more effectively."
After faithfully serving our church for more than two decades, Brett's heart remains the same as it was when he first began serving students: helping the next generation know Jesus and walk with Him.
His encouragement to our church family is one he's lived himself: "When life is hard, lean in. Don't walk away. Ask questions. Learn. We're better as a church body when we're willing to learn from each other, do hard things, and stay engaged for the long haul. It won't always be easy, but what happens as a result of sticking with each other for a long time is so much more beautiful than we could imagine."
Brett, thank you for your faithful leadership, your joyful energy, and the countless students, leaders, and families you've invested in over the past 23 years. Our church is better because of you!
Richie Marshall
Executive Pastor
There are some people whose impact on Port City Church is easy to see on a Sunday morning. And then there are people like Richie Marshall, people whose faithfulness, leadership, wisdom, and steady presence have quietly shaped the foundation of our church for more than two decades.
Richie has been part of Port City Community Church since 2001 and has served on staff for 23 years. What began as stepping into leadership around small groups eventually grew into overseeing many of the operational structures that help our church function and grow today. From finances and budgeting to staffing, systems, and long-term vision, Richie has faithfully helped steward the church through seasons of incredible growth, change, and challenge.
But if you ask our Senior Pastor, Mike Ashcraft, Richie’s contribution goes far beyond operations.
“Richie has a very unique combination, he understands the details and what it takes to get something done, but he has a pastor’s heart and never loses sight of what really matters, especially during times of stress and pressure.”
Mike and Richie’s story together stretches back decades, including years of running together, long conversations about ministry, and eventually Mike trying to convince Richie to come on staff full-time.
“It was miles and miles of the same conversation over and over again… and I finally wore him down. And now we’ve been on staff together for 24 years. I don’t think I would do this without him.”
One of Richie’s favorite things about his role is helping people succeed, whether that’s staff members, volunteers, or someone discovering meaningful ministry for the first time. That heart has shaped the culture of our church in countless unseen ways.
Mike shared that while much of Richie’s work happens behind the scenes, his greatest contribution may actually be underneath the scenes:
“Richie’s greatest contribution is not behind the scenes, but underneath, creating the foundation that we all get to build on.”
Richie’s own story with God deeply shapes the way he leads. After walking through a difficult season years ago, he found himself searching for something more, and was uncertain whether the church would even be a place where he would be accepted because of his work in the beer industry at the time. What he found at Port City was a welcoming community that helped him discover not just religion, but relationship with Jesus.
Today, that same heart for people still fuels him.
“I so deeply believe in the mission of our church. It met me where I was 25 years ago, and I believe we can do that for someone today.”
Richie, thank you for your humility, steadiness, faithfulness, wisdom, and the countless ways you help make Port City what it is. We are deeply grateful for you.
Polly Clawson
Care Community Coordinator
For more than 18 years, Polly Clawson has been helping shape the heart and culture of Port City Community Church through prayer, discipleship, compassion, and a deep love for people.
Serving on staff for more than a decade as part of the Care Team, Polly’s heart has always been centered on helping people encounter God “afresh and anew together.” Whether through conversations, prayer, teaching, encouragement, or simply showing up consistently for others, Polly has spent years faithfully walking alongside people in every season of life.
But over the past several years, Polly’s own journey has also been marked by deep grief, unexpected hardship and loss, and significant health challenges. Yet even in the midst of it all, she continues to radiate confidence in the goodness and faithfulness of God.
“It isn’t always easy, but it is always true that God is good and He is faithful.”
That confidence has become one of the defining marks of her life and ministry.
Leeanne Milks from our Care Staff Team shared:“When you think of Polly, you think of PRAYER. When Polly says she will pray for you, she truly means it. She will stop whatever she is doing and bring you into the presence of God.”
Leeanne also described Polly as someone who faithfully cares for people in ways most others never see, through texts, coffee meetings, check-ins, encouragement, and consistent prayer over countless people and families.
“The number of people she keeps up with would overwhelm most people, yet she still remembers the smallest details and continues faithfully lifting them up in prayer.”
One of the most beautiful reflections of Polly’s impact came earlier this year after some health complications, when staff and church members began bringing notes, gifts, and encouragement to her home.
“The outpouring of love was unbelievable,” Leeanne shared. “It revealed just how many lives she had impacted through her faithful love and service.”
Polly says one of the things she loves most about this church is experiencing firsthand that “the Church” is not just a place, but a people who genuinely love and carry one another.
And if you ask almost anyone who knows her, they’ll tell you the same thing: Polly deeply loves Jesus, and that love flows into every room, every conversation, and every person she encounters.
Polly, thank you for the way you faithfully pray, care, teach, encourage, and remind so many of us what it looks like to walk closely with Jesus. Our church is better because of you.
Brooks Joyce
Worship Director
For more than two decades, Brooks Joyce has helped shape the worship culture, discipleship, and community of Port City Community Church.
Brooks first connected to Port City as a teenager after hearing that a local rock band invited Pastor Mike Ashcraft to open one of their shows in prayer.
“At 16 years old, I thought that was the coolest thing.”
That curiosity led him to visit Port City for the first time, where he found not only community, but a calling.
Brooks joined staff in 2005 as a student ministries intern, splitting time between production and worship ministry. Over time, his role evolved into helping shape and lead the discipleship side of worship ministry, something that deeply reflects both his gifts and heart for people.
One of the things that most shapes Brooks’ leadership is his awareness of his own limitations and his dependence on God and community.
Reflecting on Moses in Exodus 4, Brooks shared: “God is fully aware of Moses’ human limitations. Likewise, I’ve learned not to deny my own human limits, but look to God and my community to make up the difference.”
That humility and groundedness are part of what make Brooks such a steady and trusted presence on our staff team.
Carson Goslee shared: “Brooks is humble and wise. He lives his life in such a way that invites people to come close in friendship and leave with a better understanding of who God is and what discipleship truly looks like.”
While many people know Brooks through worship gatherings, there’s also a tremendous amount of unseen work and intentionality behind the scenes.
“Brooks stewards a lot of behind-the-scenes work that ensures the worship music we engage in throughout all of our church gatherings is really well done and beautiful to listen to,” Carson shared. “All the while ensuring the team is personally growing in their walk with God.”
What keeps Brooks passionate about ministry after all these years is surprisingly simple: “God has an endless awareness and affection for all that is good and true and beautiful… So what keeps me passionate about ministry is continually renewing my capacity to see the goodness, the truth, and the beauty in all that we do.”
And if you know Brooks, you know that his humor is just as consistent as his faithfulness. Carson joked that although Brooks was in his wedding, he still reminds him (nine years later) that he was the seventh groomsman standing so far away he “wasn’t sure if he was even there.”
Brooks, thank you for the consistency, wisdom, humility, humor, and discipleship you bring to our church family. We are deeply grateful for the way you continue helping shape a culture of worship and formation at Port City!