Dr. Paul Shirley | Pastor

Paul is originally from Florida where he grew up, came to faith, met his wife, and started his family. Paul and Elyse were married in January of 2005 and have three children, Rebecca ('06), Makaylah ('08), and Sarah ('12).

Paul received his undergraduate degree in Pastoral Ministries from Clearwater Christian College ('05), completed his M'Div at the Expositors Seminary ('11) and his doctoral degree from The Master's Seminary ('16).

Paul served on staff at a church in his hometown from 2003 to 2011 as the Youth Pastor and then the Associate Pastor. After completing seminary, Paul went on to receive further training in church planting at the Grace Advance Academy in California. It was through Grace Advance that Paul was brought to Grace Community Church.

Paul is a regular contributor to the Expositors Blog, and has written several books including The Irony of the Cross, Free to be Holy (with Jerry Wragg), The Christian Home (2019), and Expository Sanctification (2019).

Follow Pastor Paul online...

Twitter: @ExpositorPastor

James Sullivan | Associate Pastor

James was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Salem, Missouri. He studied agriculture at College of the Ozarks and started a career in management before being called to pastoral ministry. In 2017, he moved to Kansas City to attend Mission Road Bible Church and train at The Expositors Seminary, where in 2021 he graduated with an M.Div. James was formally ordained by the Elders of Mission Road in 2022. After serving as an Elder at Mission Road, the Lord gave him an opportunity to serve as Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church Delaware in the Spring of 2024. He is married to Bethany and has three daughters: Eva, Betsy, and Ellie.

Jim O'Neill | Elder

Jim is a lifelong resident of the PA-NJ-DE tristate area. He came to faith in Christ more than 30 years ago, and has had the privilege of worshiping and serving in a number of local churches since that time. He and his wife Barbara live in the Pike Creek, DE area and have three children. Jim and his family have been members of Grace Community Church at Wilmington since 2012, where he has served as a Deacon, Shepherding Group leader, and Sunday school teacher. He also leads a Friday evening Bible study in his home.

Jim works as a Human Resources Manager for M&T Bank in Wilmington. Barbara serves in the ladies ministry and supports a number of other ministries within the church.

Jared Cooper | Elder

Jared was a lifelong resident of South Jersey where he went to school, met his wife, came to faith, and was married in 2007. He and his wife, Heather, now live in Middletown, DE and have three children, Cale (2008), Paige (2012), and Joy (2017). Jared works for a dialysis company as a biomedical technician.

Jared and his family have been attending Grace Community Church at Wilmington since January 2013. Since attending, the Lord has grown their desire for proper worship and service in the church. Jared also has the privilege of being over the children's ministry and a Sunday school teacher to the youth group here at GCC-DE.