Our Pastors

William “Bill” Joseph Lash - Elder

Pastor Bill is a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. He came to Grace Baptist Church as Elder in April of 2010 to serve alongside Pastor Thomas. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University in 1966. After graduating from West Virginia, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as Naval Aviator from June 1966 until July 1989.

Additionally, he earned a Master of Divinity in 1992 from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Upon completion of his theological education, he spent 3 years as a church planter with EFCA in Meridian, Mississippi, followed by 4 months at the Biblical Counseling Foundation in Rancho Mirage, California. He was then sent as a Church Planter by the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches (ARBCA) to Wheeling, West Virginia where he eventually became Senior Pastor of Grace Heritage Church and spent 4 years ministering there before being called as Elder to Grace Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi.

Pastor Bill married Linda Hagge, of Des Moines, Iowa, in July of 1984.

Thomas Earl Winn - Senior Pastor/Elder

Pastor Thomas is a native of Laurel, Mississippi. He came to Grace Baptist Church as Elder in 1999 and was called as Senior Pastor in 2001. He began his preaching ministry in 1981, and has served as pastor of churches in Mississippi for over 30 years now. He earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Clarke Memorial College in 1976 followed by a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978.

Upon graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, he continued his education at New Orleans Baptist Seminary and earned a Master of Religious Education in 1981. He is currently continuing his studies for a Master of Divinity at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.

His pastorate ministry began as an Associate Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Laurel Mississippi from 1981 to 1983 and Briarwood Drive Baptist Church in Jackson Mississippi from 1983 to 1988. He was then called as Senior Pastor to Halbert Heights Baptist Church in Brookhaven Mississippi from 1988 to 1993, followed by Graceway Baptist Church in Jackson Mississippi from 1993-1998.

Pastor Thomas married Lawanda Wells Winn, of Laurel, in August of 1978 and they have three daughters and a son. Bethany who is married to Cody Wallace, Bridgette who is married to Chris Kimbrell, Allyson, and Dawson. They also have three grandchildren. Brooke-Ellen Wallace, the daughter of Cody and Bethany, and Carter and Wyatt Kimbrell, the sons of Chris and Bridgette.