They married soon after graduating from college together in 1981. God has since blessed them with four children (twin boys and 2 girls) who’ve given them six perfect grandchildren! When Stephen began his collegiate studies at Liberty University in 1976, he majored in Bible and minored in World History. He finished his studies at Tennessee Temple where he met his future wife, Marsha (Gladney). As a part-time youth pastor, Stephen saw the Lord impact the lives of students with His timeless word. His first part-time opportunity was as a college student, serving one summer alongside his father, who had recently planted a church in Virginia Beach. In his last year of high school, Stephen committed his life to serve Christ vocationally wherever God chose to assign him in ministry. Stephen Davey, the son of missionary parents, was raised to love Christ and the gospel. As in Colonial’s early days, it’s just a matter of “responding to the work that God ignites, establishes and advances.” CLICK HERE to learn more about our strategy to multiply our ministry impact.įor Stephen and the entire Elder Team, this isn’t just a vision for Colonial. Colonial also launched their annual National 360 Shepherds Conference for Church Leaders in 2014 which allows Colonial the opportunity to mentor churches on a regional and national level. “To this day, I am more excited about tomorrow than yesterday,” Stephen says, “and I remain convinced that our greatest step of faith is the next one.” The tomorrow that Stephen is excited about is a church that invests in other churches and multiplies believers – a church that in 2013 added to its bustling schedule national events such as the ACBC Conference to train biblical counselors. More than 110 different ministry programs are operating and are staffed by over 2,000 volunteers. Additionally, by the end of 2014, the Colonial Family had given away $11 million dollars to missions enterprises around the world. Ten key ministry departments and Shepherds Theological Seminary provide opportunities for growth and service to the 4,000 people who attend Colonial and to the community beyond. As the church grew, new ministries developed to equip the body and reach out to the community. It’s a story about individuals serving, growing and learning together as part of a living body. “We’ve simply responded to what God is doing.” While God has provided richly for the needs of the church, the history of Colonial is so much more than numbers and buildings. “Church growth was never our intention, and it still isn’t!” Pastor Davey says. Our first services at 6051 Tryon Road were held on Easter, 2001. In 2007, Student and Children’s Centers were completed which added to the growing Campus a beautiful Chapel, Café, Library and new classrooms for elementary students along with classrooms capable of streaming Shepherds seminary courses around the world. The first phase included the Worship Center and the buildings now known as the Administration Center and the Family Center. It took 9 years to find our current location – land that had been owned by one family since the 1850’s – and the congregation raised nearly 2 million dollars and purchased this strategically located corner property in 1995. On Sunday morning, we were renting two public schools for children and student Sunday school, and adult Sunday school was meeting in an office complex. By the time we left that property we had converted all of the offices into nurseries and moved the offices off-site. In 1995, we added a third worship service. In 1993, we installed temporary classroom trailers next to our building to accommodate the growing population of children. Services were first held in Colonial’s new home in 1992, but within months, the congregation voted unanimously to relocate as the building was quickly outgrown.

By that time there were more than 450 regular attenders , and a second service was added at East Cary Middle School.

In 1989 plans for a church building began to intensify, and groundbreaking on a new building at 6750 Tryon Road occurred in 1991.

Whether you want to join a ministry team, help with a local outreach, or go on an impact trip, there are lots of opportunities to make a difference here!.

At Shepherd’s we have vibrant ministries for all ages! Our groups are designed to help you connect, grow and belong in a loving community that’s based on encouragement, care, support and prayer.

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