Area Congregation Names New Leader

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has called Gary Mills to serve as the new bishop of the Gastonia Ward (congregation) in North Carolina, filling the role formerly held for five years by Neil Dawson. Continuing as counselors in the bishopric are First Counselor, Dr. Bryan Payne and Second Counselor, Angel Sarao.

A graduate of Salt Lake Community College with a degree in Science, Bishop Mills is an Information Technology Administrator with Boeing. Originally from Utah and Nevada, respectively, he and his wife Gretchen moved to Gastonia four years ago and say that they consider North Carolina “home.” They are the parents of five sons. Gretchen ministers in the church as seminary teacher, music chair, and music director.

Doctor Bryan Payne has served as first counselor in the Gastonia Ward bishopric since November 10, 2019. Upon completion of an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at Brigham Young University, he attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University, and then completed his General Surgery Residency at McLaren Macomb in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Dr. Payne is currently a General and Trauma Surgeon at CaroMont Health. He and his wife, Janelle, are the parents of three children. Janelle serves as the first

counselor in the Primary organization of their congregation.

Angel Sarao has served as second counselor in the Gastonia Ward bishopric also since November 10, 2019. He received a degree in Finance from Weber State University in Utah, and a Masters in Accounting from Texas A&M. Currently he works as a Controller at Keter, Inc, an Israeli company. Angel and his wife, Melanie, have two children.

Since 1830, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, leaders have been called to provide ecclesiastical leadership for their congregations and are similar in nature to a priest or rabbi in that they provide spiritual guidance, and oversee the social and temporal needs of the members, as well as the community at large. Bishops and other local leaders serve voluntarily without pay, in addition to family, employment, and other community responsibilities.

“I am humbled and inspired…,” said Bishop Mills when questioned about his feelings regarding this new assignment. A significant focus of his work will be with the youth of the Church. Reflecting on previous assignments in the Church and how they have prepared him for this new role, Bishop Mills said, “Being a seminary teacher has improved my gospel study skills and has given me experience teaching the youth and getting to know them. My Young Men’s and Scouting callings have developed in me a sense of adventure.”

All members of the Church do not request specific positions and are given the opportunity to use their skills, talents, and resources in service to other congregants and the community through a variety of assignments.