LEADERSHIP
Rev. Gary Lee
Lead Pastor
Gary was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and moved to the Research Triangle Park area in 2017. He graduated from Sacramento State (B.A. 1996) and The Master’s Seminary (M.Div. 2000).
He pastored in California from 1998 to 2016 in a variety of churches and roles and is passionate about preaching, discipleship, leading, and engaging the city.
Gary is married to his wife, Tracy, and God has blessed them with 3 children. He enjoys eating, movies, basketball, soccer, football and recently pickleball. While he has begun cheering for local college sports, Gary is a die-hard Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors fan.
Andrew Poon
President and Communications Director
Andrew and his wife, Jac, have been a part of Rooted Church since it's beginnings and have been blessed to see it grow into a loving a nurturing community of believers. You may see them leading worship together on Sundays or enjoying fellowship and studying God's Word in their Growth Group.
Andrew is Raleigh born and raised but has lived all over the world. As a native he is excited to see the ways that the triangle area has grown and feels there is a clear and present need to minister to the large number of Asian Americans that are now moving to the area.
Haji Nishikori
VP and Finance leader
Haji is the VP and Finance leader at Rooted Church. After getting a B.S. in Economics and Neuroscience at Emory University, Haji worked in consulting in New York and the metro D.C. area, and now resides in Raleigh with his wife Jenny since 2017.
Being a first generation Japanese-American, Haji has a heart for cross cultural ministries and enjoys good food (Japanese and all kinds) and a hearty laugh. He is also the proud father of a young baby whose name is Caleb.