Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Sam Sumner

Head Pastor

Sam believes that the Church’s mandate is to “make disciples” of Jesus and that the end result of the Gospel’s work in someone’s life is complete redemption and transformation.
He first came to Pathway Church (then called Beulaville PFWB Church) in 2003 as a youth pastor where he served for about 3 years. In 2005, he cofounded Walk the Line Ministries, which had the goal of encouraging and equipping young Christians for ministry though mentorship and hands-on ministry experience. In 2010 he accepted the pastorate of Northeast PFWB Church where he served for nearly 5 years. Sam is also a former middle school teacher, has over 20 years of ministry experience, and a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University. He has also authored a book titled, Struggling with God: A Theology for Real Life.
Other than Jesus, his strength and love is his wife, Brooks. In April 2015 they welcomed their son, Kross into the world which was truly a miracle since they were given basically no hope of having children, and then in 2016 their second child, Brantley was born. They are both evidence that God is in merciful and completely in control.

Brooks Sumner

Associate Pastor & Women's Ministry Leader

Brooks is a driven and passionate minister who has a vision to see people grow spiritually and become active participates in the Body of Christ. She believes that we are not only called to love Jesus but to also love His Church.
She is an ordained minister with the PFWB with nearly 20 years ministry experience that includes evangelism, discipleship, mission work, etc. Brooks has also served as the Girls Ministry director of the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist denomination, preach in numerous churches throughout Eastern North Carolina, and been the key note speaker at several women’s and leadership events. In 2016 she returned “home” to Pathway Church when her husband, Sam, was offered the pastorate there, and in 2018 she was asked to serve alongside him as an associate pastor. She and Sam are blessed to serve the people of Pathway and raise their kids, Kross and Brantley, in such a vibrant and loving community of believers.

Matthew Summerlin

Youth Pastor

Pastor Matt leads our Pathway Student ministry along with his wife Suzie. They work together to help nurture a culture of young people who do not compartmentalize their faith, but live transformed lives everyday for JESUS.  Pastor Matt began attending Pathway Church in 2007 as a high school student.  He served with Pastors Sam and Brooks in Walk the Line Ministries as a teenager and young adult.  Pastor Matt is an ordained minister through the Pentecostal Freewill Baptist denomination.  He also holds a B.S. in History and is currently working on a M.A. in Christian  Apologetics from Liberty University.  Aside from Pathway Church, he  teaches New Testament, Old Testament, and Understanding Worldviews at the high school level.  Matt and his wife Suzie were married in 2011 and were blessed with their first son in 2015, Judah Brave.   Pastor Matt loves serving along side his family and living life with them everyday.  

Meet the team.

Bailey Marshburn

Pastor Assistant & Social Media Director

Tammie Futreal

Pathway Kids Ministry

Judy Miller

Pathway Kids Ministry

Pete Futreal

Men's Ministry

Cary Epley

Community Outreach & Men's Ministry 

Corey Keffer

Facility Security

David Marshburn

Usher Team

Cathy Byrd

Welcome Team

Robert Houston

Tech & Media Leader

Suzie Summerlin

Pathway Students

Kelsey Head

Photography

Karen Day

Secretary & Women's Ministry

Tomme Maier

Pathway Outreach

Miriam Summerlin

Text Ministry