Unzicker was elected executive director-in May 2021. Before leading the work of the state convention, Unzicker served on staff at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham from 2012 to 2021. He has also served as a director of missions in Florida and as a missionary in Central America.

Unzicker earned his bachelor’s degree from the Baptist Bible College of Florida and his master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological seminary. Prior to his salvation and his call to ministry, Unzicker worked as a sports reporter covering the nationally ranked University of Georgia football program.

A native of Fairfax, Virginia, Unzicker has been married to his wife, Ashley, since 2007. They have three children and reside in Wake Forest.

While there he founded a campus ministry that emphasized the gospel and biblical orthodoxy in the urban context. The ministry grew campus wide with many trusting Christ as Savior, upon graduating he served as an elder for several years and after fervent prayer was led to plant Vision Church in October of 2010.

Vision Church has grown by God’s grace and is impacting the inner city of Raleigh by missionally engaging the city with the gospel of Jesus Christ through discipleship, leadership development, service, and social empowerment.

Pastor Jerome serves as the Pastor of Teaching and Vision at Vision Church. Jerome has a vision to see gospel centered churches and leaders raised up within the urban context and sent out to plant other gospel-centered churches.

Jerome is married to Crystal Gay and the father of Jamari Gay and son Jerome Jordan Gay III. He is also the author of two books, The Whitewashing of Christianity: A Hidden Past, a Hurtful Present and a Hopeful Future and Renewal: Grace and Redemption in the Story.

Jerome is also the founder and President of The Urban Perspective.

Jerome has his Master’s Degree in Christian Studies and Ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Brian has nearly 30 years of experience as a national speaker, leader, trainer, pastor, coach, and leadership consultant. Brian has led multiple faith-based organizations and continues to work in and with churches across America. Brian’s career has included executive coaching and business consulting, and he has been both a Lead and Campus Pastor. Brian can be found teaching at one of the Chicagoland campuses of Community Christian Church.
Brian is the author of Driving through Fog (Leading Yourself And Others When You Can’t See Where You’re Going), a book based on real-world principles he has learned and developed to help us navigate these challenging times. This book is an excellent resource if you are trying to move forward through the fog.