Meet Our Pastor

Elder Wender R. Gavin, Senior Pastor

Pastor Wender Gavin in a Black Robe holding a bible at Restoration Church of Christ

Elder Wender R. Gavin was born in Shadesville, FL and is one of nine 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.

Meet Our Associate Pastor

Praise the Lord from our Dr. Timothy Beard

Associate Pastor Dr. Timothy Beard, President of FAMU: Florida A&M University

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. Beard holds undergraduate degrees from both FAMU and Florida State University, and in 1998, he earned his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling with a focus on Higher Education Administration from FSU. His career in education and community service spans four decades, beginning in 1984 with Leon County Schools and including significant roles in both FAMU and FSU, where he contributed to student success in various capacities.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Beard has been recognized as a trailblazer, mentor, and advocate for educational excellence. In 1999, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor and Director of Student Affairs at FAMU’s School of Allied Health Sciences, where he was named "Teacher of the Year" in 2001. His influence extended beyond FAMU when he became the first African American senior administrator at the University of South Alabama in Mobile in 2003, and later, as the Vice-President of Student Development and Enrollment Management at Pasco-Hernando Community College, where he significantly increased enrollment and elevated the institution’s reputation.

Dr. Beard’s journey reached its pinnacle in 2015 when he was appointed as the fourth president of Pasco-Hernando State College, a role he fulfilled with distinction until his retirement in January 2024. Today, he holds the esteemed title of President Emeritus.

On August 5, 2024, Dr. Beard was named Interim President at FAMU. He will receive the 2025 Diamond Award for Lifetime Achievement in Higher Education Leadership on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the 10th Annual Academy of the Diamond Awards.

Dr. Beard a dedicated family man, married to Sister  Wendy Gavin Beard since 1986. They are the proud parents of two accomplished daughters, both FAMU graduates: Dr. Briana Beard Belle (Jeffrey), a Doctor of Pharmacy, and Sierra Beard, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management and a Master of Public Health.