For several years the Lord had been leading Gary Combs to full‑time ministry. In January of 1991 he surrendered his life to preach the gospel of Christ. He left his career in retail management and was accepted at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. During that first year, Gary sensed that the Lord wanted him to be a church‑planter. He began to read and study every piece of material he could find on church planting. He also prayed with and interviewed those who had been involved in church planting. Ultimately, the Lord gave Gary a burning desire to plant a church that would break down cultural barriers and reach an unchurched community with the gospel.

While Gary was going through this process of personal growth in his vision for the Lord's work, he discussed his dream of a "community" church with many of his friends, former co‑workers, and neighbors in the Wilson community. Many of them began to get so excited about this dream that they encouraged him not to wait for graduation from seminary, but to get started immediately. And so, after several months of prayer and preparation, Gary made plans to plant a new church in Wilson, North Carolina.

On Sunday, November 17, 1991 Gary and his wife Robin had 15 people (including themselves) attend a "Founder's Meeting" at their home. Of these fifteen, ten showed interest in starting a new church. It was a very exciting time! Wilson Community Church was born. The name was selected because it described its location ( Wilson), its vision (Community), and its existence (a Church).

After the Founder's Meeting it was decided that weekly Bible study meetings should take place at the home of Gary and Robin Combs. Seven people attended the first Bible study on December 8, 1991. After a few weeks the Bible study grew to the point where it was decided that a second study should be started. By the end of January 1992, there were around 25 people in average attendance between the two weekly meetings. It was then decided that a Sunday worship service should be started. On Sunday, January 26, 1992 the first worship service took place! It was held in the auditorium at Forest Hills Middle School. There were 66 people in attendance at this first service. A church was born!

Since then, Wilson Community Church has continued to grow. WCC currently rents Community Christian School on Sundays and Wednesday nights. Church office space is rented in the Miller Office Building. The WCC leadership is also looking at lands and buildings for future growth possibilities. But this is not our first priority, building up God's people is.