Edward “Eddie” Bellis IV has lived a life of transition, beginning with his upbringing in a U.S. Army family. By age nine, he had lived in multiple states and overseas before settling in New Bern, NC, where he became active in First Presbyterian Church’s youth group. While studying at NC State, a summer as a youth leader at Montreat led him to give his life to Christ, shaping his call to ministry. He earned an M.A. in Christian Education from PSCE and an M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary before being ordained in 1996 as an Associate Pastor focused on education.
In 2012, a personal transition led him to interim ministry, allowing him to stay near his children while discovering a deep calling to guide churches through times of change. He has since served seven congregations, ranging in size from small churches to 900-member communities. In 2019, he reconnected with his wife, Laura Marzano, a retired special education teacher and his greatest support. Eddie’s passion is helping churches grieve, heal, and prepare for new leadership, making FPC Franklin a perfect fit. He looks forward to working with its strong staff and congregation to continue its ministry while preparing for the future.