ABOUT GRACE LUTHERAN
For over 100 years, Grace Lutheran has shared the Word of God with our community in the heart of Liberty, NC. We're a small church built on big faith. Whether you're looking for a new home church or just passing through town, we'd love to have you join us for worship service, Sunday school, or bible study throughout the week. If you have any questions about Grace Lutheran, please don't hesitate to send us a message and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
MEET OUR MINISTER
Preacher Ned Thigpen grew up in eastern NC in the Brunswick County farming community of Winnabow, NC. Growing up in the Baptist faith, attending church, and singing gospel music played a vital role in his desire to learn more about God. Preacher Ned loved sports and played football, basketball, and baseball in high school and was awarded a football scholarship to Lenoir-Rhyne University in 1981. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts and Communications (Journalism Track). It was during this time at Lenoir-Rhyne he met nursing student, Lisa Hudson, who would later become his wife. Preacher Ned and Lisa graduated together in May of 1985, moved to Burlington, NC, and married that August. They attended the church Lisa grew up in, Messiah Lutheran Church. A few years later they became members of Macedonia Lutheran Church in Burlington. After working for several years in the business world, Preacher Ned experienced the call to ministry and became one of fourteen candidates in the first class of Certified Lay Ministers, graduating in 2019. In September of 2021, Preacher Ned was appointed to Grace Lutheran by Bishop Tim Smith as the first Synodical Authorized Minister (S.A.M.) in the the state of NC. Preacher Ned and Lisa have two children, Hannah and Daniel.