Leadership & Staff

Craig Malz has been a member of The Refuge since its earliest days. As an industrial engineer who “problem solves” in his occupation, he serves on our board to lend both practical and profound spiritual advice. Craig is thought of as “a minister disguised as an engineer.” He lives in Concord with his wife, Angela, and two children.

Dean Thomas is a lifetime resident of Concord, and a highly respected businessman in the Charlotte area. He brings wisdom to our board as a marketplace representative of Christ. Dean and his wife, Kathy, along with their daughter Katy (and their late son Garrett) are founding members of The Refuge.

Scott Volk is a Messianic Jew who came to faith in 1975. After graduating from North Central University in Minneapolis in 1988, Scott has served in various pastoral capacities in Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina. After more than twenty years in pastoral ministry, Scott founded Together For Israel, a non-profit ministry that exists to partner with the Church for the salvation of Israel (Rom 11:26). Scott and his wife Beth have been married for over thirty years and have a heart to see Jew and Gentile united as ‘one new man’ in the Messiah. They have five children and reside in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Johnny Jernigan is an international evangelist, heralding his community outreach strategies and holding revival services in churches and venues around the world. He and his wife, Karen, have three children. They reside in Mobile, AL.

Sean is the founder of Sean Smith Ministries/Pointblank International and has been in ministry for twenty-five years. He and his wife, Christa, have two children, Brandon and Brittany. Sean has been involved in university outreaches, mission trips, conferences, Bible schools, and body ministry for the entirety of his time in ministry. Sean has authored three books including “I Am Your Sign” and has partnered with Jesus Culture to raise up a generation of new breed revivalists. Currently his ministry offices are in San Ramon, CA. He travels as an evangelist, equipper & revivalist to stir God’s people to fullness, while staying active in the harvest fields of the nations.

Greg Gillman is the CFO of The Rock Family Worship Center and The Huntsville Dream Center. From his youth, he has served the local church with a passion for worship. His professional background began in public accounting at a CPA firm in Tampa, FL, but has since served these past 25 years in executive and board leadership positions of various large churches and nonprofit organizations. He and his lovely wife, Adele, have three children and have served as CFO at The Rock in Huntsville AL for 16 years.

Bishop Paul Zink is the founder of both New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida, and Providence School, one of the top Christian schools in Florida. He is our covering Pastor, with a heart to father and impart wisdom to other Pastors. Bishop Zink has served on the boards of various ministries, including Dr. Cho’s board, in Sol Korea. He and his wife, Sharon, have three sons who are all in the ministry.

Rusty Nelson is the Founding Pastor of The Rock Family Worship Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He and his wife Leisa pioneered The Rock in 1999. Since that time, their church has grown from thirteen people to over four thousand with three campuses. Before founding The Rock, Rusty served as a Senior Associate and Worship Leader at New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida. Rusty was also a recording artist with Integrity Music. Rusty and Leisa have four children.

Derrick and Roshonda Hawkins are the Lead Pastors of Promise City Church in Salisbury, North Carolina; fearlessly leading the next generation into an unprecedented awareness of the presence of God. With over 15 years in ministry, they believe intercession is the womb that births revival. As a thought leader, Derrick mentors men and businesses on how to maximize their full potential to become a better “you” for the future “you” through his personal ministry (Derrick A. Hawkins Ministries). Derrick Hawkins has appeared in various publications, including News Week, ABC News, Washington Post, Charisma News, and New Yorker Review Daily. He has been featured on The 700 club and CBN News. Making a national impact, he is the co-author of Welded: Forming Racial Bonds That Last. Just on the outskirts of Charlotte, North Carolina, the loving parents of six and grandparents of three make it their mission to lead their family with God first, prayer, and compassion.