Brent Detwiler has served on the Sovereign Grace Ministries leadership team since its inception in 1982. He serves Sovereign Grace churches throughout the southeastern United States and supplies leadership for our international involvement in parts of Asia and the Caribbean. 

Brent received a B.A. degree in biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 1976. After receiving a Master of Divinity degree from Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim, California, in 1979, he returned to IUP as a campus minister for Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. In 1980 he became the initial senior pastor of what is now Sovereign Grace Church in Indiana (PA).  Two years later, Brent and his wife, Jenny, were sent out to Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, so he could serve on the emerging leadership team for Sovereign Grace Ministries and as the executive director for the Leadership Training School and later School of Ministry (forerunner of the current Pastors College).

A year later, in 1983, Brent and his family moved to northern Virginia so Brent could serve as interim senior pastor of the newly adopted Fairfax Covenant Church (now Sovereign Grace Church). In 1985 and 1987, the Detwiler’s relocated for six weeks and three months, respectively, to help establish Sovereign Grace churches in Daytona Beach and Orlando, Florida. In 1991, they were sent out from Fairfax (with Bob Kauflin and family) to plant CrossWay Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Brent served there as senior pastor through 2002. From this church base, he now serves the larger mission of Sovereign Grace Ministries. 

Brent and Jenny met in 1979 while he was leading Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship and she was a sophomore at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  They were married in 1981.  Since then, Jenny has delighted in her roles as a wife, mother, and homemaker and been a source of great support to Brent in his ministry. 

Jenny directed the Women’s Ministry at CrossWay Community Church in Charlotte, NC from 1991-2006.  She also speaks on marriage, family life, and other subjects relevant to women at Sovereign Grace conferences and churches.  She has a strong desire to help women understand and enjoy the unique call upon their lives as it pertains to marriage, the home, church and society. 

In June, 2008, Brent and Jenny will be sent out with a team to plant a new church in order to reach the region between Mooresville (which borders Interstate 77 on the west) and Kannapolis (which borders Interstate 85 on the east), approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte.  

They have been married for 26 years; have three sons, one married daughter, and two adorable grandchildren.  The entire family will be joining them in planting the new church.  Brent and Jenny currently live in the University City area of northeast Charlotte.