Pastor Winston Parrish was installed as Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 10, 2021. The church was founded by Pastor Winston’s great-grandfather, Dr. Ralph Sexton, Sr., in 1966, and Pastor Winston succeeds his grandfather, Dr. Ralph Sexton, Jr., who served as Senior Pastor for 33 years and is now Pastor Emeritus. When the leadership transition was first announced in October 2020, Pastor Winston received a unanimous vote of acceptance by the church family.
In his new role, Pastor Winston is responsible for leading Trinity Baptist Church in scripture-based belief in the inerrant and infallible Word of God, oversight of ministry and outreach teams, and upholding the mission of this local church to preach the Gospel close to home and around the world.
After surrendering to God’s calling to preach in 2015, Pastor Winston joined the staff of Trinity Baptist Church as an Associate Pastor. Prior to that, he enjoyed a successful career in Emergency Services and Emergency Management for 11 years.
As a child, Pastor Winston and his sisters accompanied their parents Pastor Dwight and Beverly Sexton Parrish to Mexico and Costa Rica for mission work related to church planting and outreach. After spending more than 12 years abroad, including six years of attendance at Instituto De Lengua Espanol in San Jose, Costa Rica, Pastor Winston returned to the U.S. to obtain a degree in Emergency Medicine as well multiple State and Federal level certifications.
Now fluent in Spanish and with a background that includes missions work in more than 25 countries, plus 11 teaching tours in Israel, Pastor Winston has also trained and studied with The American Bible College and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
In addition, his grandfather has mentored Pastor Winston personally for over 6 years. Dr. Sexton and Pastor Winston worked closely, even sharing an office for more than a year to insure a smooth transition to Senior Pastor. Pastor Winston is supported in his work by his wife Miranda and the staff and membership of Trinity Baptist Church.
In Pastor Winston’s own words:
“I have truly been blessed with a life that has been centered around Gospel ministry and I have had incredible examples who have lived out authentic lives for Christ at church, on the mission field, and at home. I find little peace in my own capability to lead such a ministry as that of Trinity Baptist Church, but I find that there is tremendous peace, direction, and wisdom from the Lord available when we ask according to His will! I am optimistic for the future, passionate for the Gospel, and desperate for God to change Asheville and the surrounding community, one life at a time!”
