The Reverend Dr. Gregory S. Neal is the Senior Pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist Church of Mesquite, Texas, and Rector of Grace Incarnate Ministries. While Dr. Neal has traveled extensively and has lived in North Carolina and elsewhere in the State of Texas, his heart is most at home in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, where his family lives. Greg is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with the B.A. in History, Russian Language, and Theology, Duke University with the M.Div. in Theology and Biblical Studies, and Trinity Graduate College with the Ph.D in Systematic Theology and New Testament Textual Criticism. His doctoral dissertation was in the field of Sacramental Theology and dealt with the doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. Essential elements of Neal's work on this subject have been re-drafted into readable English and have been published in his book: Grace Upon Grace. Ministry Credentials: Rev. Neal is a "Clergy Member in Full Connection" of the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church, having been ordained a Transitional Deacon in 1991 and a Presbyter in 1994 by the Reverend Dr. Bruce P. Blake, then-resident Bishop of the Dallas Episcopal Area. While trained as a scholar and theologian, Dr. Neal is nevertheless called to the pastoral ministry of the Church of Jesus Christ. During his 18 years in the ministry he has served as Associate Pastor and Senior Pastor of several Churches in North Carolina and North Texas, including First Celeste (1992 - 1993), Cockrell Hill (1993-1996), First Trenton/Blue Ridge (1996-1997), Beverly Drive (1997-2001), and First Seagoville (2001-2007). Currently, Greg is in his 2nd year as the Senior Pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Mesquite, Texas.