Steve “Preacher” Swagger was called to be the pastor Layton Chapel Baptist Church in 1991. During his 30 years as senior pastor, he led the church in establishing various ministry and mission programs to meet the needs of a growing church and a growing community.

Steve also served for several years as the Chaplain for the Harnett County Highway Patrol and was appointed by the Command Staff of the Highway Patrol to serve as the State Chaplaincy Coordinator from January 2009 until 2011. His duties as Chaplain included supporting, encouraging and ministering to the Troopers in Harnett County. His responsibilities as Chaplaincy Coordinator were leading, directing and supervising the volunteer Chaplains within the fifty-three districts of the Highway Patrol in North Carolina.

Steve and his wife Brenda, have two sons, Jeff and Joe, and four grandchildren. Both Jeff and Joe, and their wives are serving faithfully in church ministry.

Steve retired from pastoring in April of 2021. He and Mrs. Brenda now reside in Kings Mountain, NC.