Elder Wender R. Gavin, Senior Pastor

Elder Wender R. Gavin was born in Shadesville, FL and is one of seven siblings. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Airforce. After serving in the Airforce, Pastor Gavin enrolled in Lively Vocational School and graduated in 1967 with a degree in nursing. He attended Duke University for open heart surgical training in the early 1970's and later became the first African American to work on the open-heart surgical team in Tallahassee, Florida. Elder Gavin was the owner and manager of Gavin's Cleaning Service from 1963 until 1995.

Pastor Gavin is happily married to Sister Callie Gavin. To this union were born three daughters: Wanda, Wendy (Timothy), Winifred (Reginald). They are the proud grandparents of Gavin (Corrina), Apryl (Brandon), Brittany, Briana (Jeffrey), and Sierra; and two great grandchildren, Haiden and Roman.

Pastor and Sister Gavin are the ministry leaders of the Covenant Marriage Ministry. This ministry assists couples in every stage of their relational development, helps them to define their roles within their marriage, helps couples to build positive relationships.

Elder Wender R. Gavin became the pastor of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Tallahassee, Florida in August of 1977. Elder Gavin's tenure began at a challenging time in the history of the church. He embarked on the awesome task of moving the church forward. He believed that revival and spiritual renewal began with the Word of God. Therefore, he emphasized the preaching of the true Word of God. He assured the church that if it heeded to the Word that God would bring revival to those who needed spiritual renewal. He made a decision in his life to make a stand and a difference by putting true holiness in the forefront.

After many years of prayer, God’s guidance, and serving under the auspices of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ for 46 years, Restoration Church of Christ was born.  As Senior Pastor of Restoration Church of Christ, Pastor Gavin desires to see lives transformed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and forever impacted by the power and presence of God.

Praise the Lord from our Dr. Timothy Beard

Dr. Timothy Beard currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Restoration Church of Christ and has dedicated nearly four decades to Christian ministries. He has studied at the Christian International Educational Institute in Northwest Florida. For nearly 45 years, he has served in multiple roles (teacher, evangelist, pastor, overseer) and in multiple cities in the Southeastern United States, including the Florida cities of Port St. Joe, Tallahassee, and St. Petersburg, FL., as well as in Mobile, AL. 

Dr. Timothy Beard’s professional profile epitomizes an individual who has maximized his potential in education and community service. His remarkable career has spanned over four decades in state government and higher education. He earned his Ph.D. from Florida State University, with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration.

Beginning as an Instructional Assistant, Dr. Beard progressed through various roles such as Director of Career Services, Director of Instructional Research, Director of Minority Student Affairs, and Assistant Professor of Health Care Management at the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. His path eventually led him to the role of Dean and Vice-President of Student Affairs at the University of South Alabama.

Driven by his passion for fostering academic excellence, Dr. Beard assumed the role of Vice-President of Student Development and Enrollment Management at Pasco-Hernando Community College, now Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC). Here, his strategic vision and leadership skills were pivotal in effecting positive change and enriching the educational experience for students and faculty. His dedication to innovation and inclusivity laid a robust foundation for the institution's growth and success.

In acknowledgment of his steadfast dedication to promoting education, Dr. Beard was chosen by the District Board of Trustees to assume the role of PHSC’s fourth President in 2015, a position he held for close to nine years.

Dr. Beard He is happily married since 1986 to Wendy Beard and are both proud parents to Briana Beard Belle (Jeffrey) and Sierra Beard.