Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

Nice to meet you!

My name is Brayton McBride and this is my family! My wife Megan and I have been married for four years. We met at Southeastern University in Lakeland, where we both graduated. We just welcomed our firstborn Caden to the world in April of 2023. Caden was diagnosed in utero with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and had open heart surgery his third day on this earth and was finally able to come home after 99 days in the ICU. Being his father is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and greatest honor I’ve ever had.

The genuine heartbeat of our family is to see people come to know Jesus and develop a real relationship with him and deep connection with others. My wife and I both grew up in ministry families. My dad has been a pastor for more than 30 years and Megan’s family has served as missionaries to Brazil and other countries for the last 25+ years. We know we are called to serve Jesus wherever he leads and whatever it looks like in every season of life.

More About Caden's Story

Job History

Focus Church, Raleigh NC
June 2022 - Aug 2023
Led youth across 3 locations at a church of 1500+.
Grew student ministry from 20 students to 100+ weekly in 2 years
Developed and implemented a new ministry model in the youth ministry.
Worked closely with Campus Pastors to grow the current youth ministry at one campus and to build a new youth ministry at two campuses.
Helped manage logistics for Sunday mornings at multiple locations.
Filled in as Campus Pastor on occasion.
Sunday on stage communication: live hosting and offering.
Helped identify and evaluate issues and communicate solutions to make Sunday mornings better.
Led staff development on occasion.
Focus Church, Raleigh NC
June 2021 - August 2022
Oversaw Kids and Youth ministry across two locations.
Led over 80 adult leaders and student leaders.
Preached weekly at youth, hosting events, taking a group to summer camp,
Responsible for implementing and replicating new systems and strategies in kids department across both campuses.
Led monthly leadership development and team building meetings.
Sunset Chapel, Miami FL
March 2020 - May 2021
Preached weekly in small group setting.
Helped build Sunday morning volunteer team.
Helped implement live stream for Sunday mornings.
Southeastern University
August 2016 - April 2019
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
Minor in Youth Ministry

“It is love itself—not loving behavior, or even the wish or intent to love—that has the power to “always protect, always trust, always hope, put up with anything, and never quit” (1 Cor. 13:7-8).”

Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard

References

Michael Whitlock

Executive Pastor of Focus Church
michael@focus.church
(919) 400-2640
Kendall Alfaro

Next Gen Director of North Carolina
kalfaro@ncag.org
(479) 228-3061
Dr. Edward Clemons, Jr.

Campus Pastor of Focus Church
ed@focus.church
(786) 338-3072
Chancellor Dix

Pastor of Collab Church
cdix@collabchurch.org
(405) 802-0144