Porter Graves, III

Lead Pastor

(252) 728-1929

pastorpg@bridgewaync.org

A follower of Jesus, the Nazarene. Has served on two districts since 2004 and was Ordained as Elder in June of 2009. A teamplayer who gives priority on seeing the whole church fulfill the Commission of Jesus Christ. He earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Evangel Seminary. with Honors, in May of 2008. His two prevailing life verse(s) are: John 3, v.30; and Galatians 2, v.20. Get in touch with him today.

He has been married to Angela Burns Graves for 31 years. Angela is an R.N. at Carteret Health Care on the Transitional Team and previously worked in the E.R. Together, they have 4 sons: Porter IV; Jacob; Shane; and Eli, and 2 precious grand-daughters: Gracelynn and Aubreigh. 

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Samuel Safrit

Worship Arts Director/Leader

(252) 728-1929

sssafrit@gmail.com

Samuel accepted the position of Worship Arts Director/Leader and started in August 2025. He is an Engineering graduate from North Carolina State University and works on base at USMC-Cherry Point, in Havelock. He is also currently active in pursuing classes/courses in the Church of the Nazarene for credentialing.

He has been married to Grace Safrit for 2 years, and together, they have a precious daughter, Melody, born in May 2025. Together, Samuel and Grace have been very much active and invested in our instrumentation, vocal, and AVL ministry teams. Samuel has been a part of our church family for nearly 2 decades and has served in various leadership positions through his tenure.

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Margaret W. Smith

Local Licensed Minister, Interim BridgeKids Preschool Director

(252) 732-1669

bridgekidspreschoolnc@gmail.com

Margaret has been a part of our local church and leadership team for many years now, serving in a litany of different capacities for ministry and mission. She has also taught several classes and has been active in ministering to ladies/women with addiction and dependency issues.

Currently, Margaret has a Local License and serves as our Love Fund Director and as the Interim Director of the BridgeKids Preschool. She is also pursuing studies with the Church of the Nazarene and our COS Program. She is married to Rob, and together, they have two adult children. In their downtime, they enjoy the water (beach days, boating, and fishing).

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Belinda Schultz

Events and Facilities Director

Communications

Events@BridgewayNC.org | (252) 342-3359

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