Directional Team
Mitchel Lee
Lead Pastor
Dave Brewer
Pastor of Family Ministries
Kathy Petersen
Senior Director of Adult Ministries & Women's Ministry Director
Chris Wolf
Executive Pastor
Pastoral Team
Thomas Anderson
Men's Ministry and Young Adult Pastor
Bill Gillette
Worship & Weekend Experiences Pastor
Dave Joseph
Care & Counseling Pastor
Tae Pae
Mission & Mobilization Pastor
Seth Rumsey
Pastor of Disciple Making
Rich Yauger
Pastor of Community Life
Staff Team
Matt Bourque
Assistant Technical Director
Matt Caldwell
Facilities Director
Armida Cardoza
Housekeeper
Julissa Cardoza
Front Desk Representative
Patrick Chung
Senior Video Production Lead
Kathy Deibler
Connections Coordinator
Gennette Diggs
Guest Services Coordinator
Diane Dombek
Executive Assistant to Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor
Karen Eisenhauer
AV Events Coordinator
Amy
Video and Media Specialist
Shaena Foot
Interim Beyond Director
Wendy Gladstone
K5 Assistant Director
Viola Grossmann
Care & Counseling Coordinator
Derek Hawkins
Middle School Director
Stacia Hejeebu
Grace Kids K-5th Curriculum & Prep Coordinator
Jack Hoffman
Assistant Facilities Director
Jaime Holmes
Payroll and Benefits Administrator
Jeff Hull
Facilities Assistant
Katrina
Executive Assistant to the Senior Director of Adult Ministries
Christine Lee
Worship and Creative Arts Director
Amita Mackin
Senior Director of Finance and Operations
Jill Maddox
Grace Kids Director Birth–PreK
Ashleigh Millison
Grace Kids Birth–PreK Coordinator
Nelson Moreno
IT Intern
Victoria Nuguid
Executive Assistant to the Pastor of Family Ministries
Brooke Schneider
High School Director
Chae Shiao
Students Event Coordinator
Joanne Shin
Front Desk Representative
Andrew Son
Worship Assistant
Nitchell Tapalu
Woven Childcare Coordinator
Lauren Thomas
Communications Director
Tandi Thomas
Grace Kids Director K–5th Grade
Rena Tolson
Director of Connections
Aaron Wolf
Technical Director
Grace Community Church
8200 Old Columbia Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
Christine Lee
Worship and Creative Arts Director
Christine serves as the Worship and Creative Arts Director at Grace. She felt drawn to the intersection of music and faith at a young age, and has served and led in many worshipping communities. She received her bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Toronto, and her M.Div from Fuller Seminary.
Christine values collaborative leadership, deep friendships, and time with her 3 boys.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: What makes you feel known and loved..
Contact Christine
Thomas Anderson
Men's Ministry and Young Adult Pastor
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: WWII; Jesus in the Old Testament; Batman
Contact Thomas
Matt Bourque
Assistant Technical Director
He started attending Grace in 1998. A family friend invited him to the youth ministry and he immediately got involved. He has volunteered in worship, technical, and small group ministries since the 6th grade. You will most likely see him in the sound booth on a Sunday wearing an Eagles hat.
He enjoys cooking and baking, especially cajun/creole food. Being able to create a delicious dish and share it with someone is one of his favorite things in the world. He hopes his daughter will learn to love something other than frozen chicken nuggets.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Delicious Food, delicious food, and delicious food
Contact Matt
Dave Brewer
Pastor of Family Ministries
Dave has been at Grace since 2017 as the Pastor of Family Ministries. Dave has been in pastoral ministry for 18 years, serving in family ministry for all of those years. Before that, he was a math teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools for 2 years before making the jump into full-time ministry.
He was born and raised in the DC area and is one of the few native Marylanders who love the Orioles, Terps and the WFT (formerly known as the Skins) because “in my days of growing up, there were no Nationals or Ravens.”
He is married to Jen for 22 years and has 5 kids, 1 adopted. They are foster parents and have had 14+ foster kids come through their home to live with them. You can find him spending time with his family, cheering on one of their kids at a sports game. He also loves strong coffee and tacos.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Sports (O’s, Terps and WFT), Family, Golf, Foster Care, and helping kids in the community
Contact Dave Brewer
Matthew Caldwell
Facilities Director
He has 4 kids, 3 grandkids, and 2 dogs. His hobbies usually include many house projects.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: How his kids are doing!
Contact Matthew
Julissa Cardoza
Front Desk Representative
With her servant heart, she has loved to volunteer during her free time wherever she could since she’s been a part of this church. She also loves to bake and cook!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: God, food, about yourself, your culture, or K-Dramas!
Contact Julissa
Armida Cardoza
Housekeeper
She has two wonderful children. In her free time, the Bible is what she enjoys reading the most.
Strike up a conversion. Just mention: All they need to do is mention God. She loves God above all. He is her savior, her everything. She can’t do anything without him! Praise be to Him.
Patrick Chung
Senior Video Production Lead
He attended the University of Maryland in College Park, and graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in religion. Patrick landed some jobs as a newsgathering producer for a few news organizations, allowing him some once-in-a-lifetime access and opportunities while covering local and national news, before leaving the news industry altogether in 2015.
In his free time, Patrick likes to play Scrabble, jam on his guitar, and play the piano. He also enjoys playing tennis and badminton with friends. Though, his favorite outdoor activity is getting a campfire going on a cool evening surrounded by good food and company.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Enneagram, the news, and his favorite Christian artists (Vertical Worship and Meredith Andrews).
Contact Patrick
Rita Choi
Curriculum & K5 Prep Coordinator
Rita started attending Grace since the summer of 2022 and has served as a substitute teacher in Grace Kids.
After college, she traveled to South Korea, her country of birth, and ended up working for Living Life—a devotional ministry based in Seoul—as the editor of the monthly devotional for teens. She enjoyed her experience working as an assistant reading and math editor for an educational publisher in Baltimore. She also worked at George Mason Law & Economic Center and the International Monetary Fund as a research assistant.
For Rita, life is never boring as a mom of four boys. She loves worshiping God through music, watching the latest Star Wars series, learning about all of God’s amazing creatures, listening to her Siberian cat talk back to her, and getting a foot massage!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: The role of the church in healing and setting the captives free today and about anything Holy Spirit!
Contact Rita
Derek Hawkins
Middle School Director
He has been in student ministry for a total of 10 years. Derek enjoys discipling students, equipping leaders, and walking alongside families. Derek is recently engaged to Geva Phillips (Howard County native). They are most looking forward to beginning their marriage alongside this life-giving community of believers at Grace. Derek’s hobbies include playing sports, working out, eating good food, and taking a hike every now and then.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: How Derek manages to win at any sport he tries, Gospel Music, and his top 3 favorite Rom Com’s.
Contact Derek
Stacia Hejeebu
Grace Kids K-5th Curriculum & Prep Coordinator
Stacia joined the staff at Grace in the fall of 2023. She was born and raised in small town Iowa and surrendered her life to Jesus while attending the University of Iowa Business School. In 1994 she landed at Grace and has considered Grace her church home since that time. She has been married for 30 years to Ananta and has 3 grown children – one of whom has significant, multiple disabilities. God has seen fit to use adversity as one of her greatest teachers – a reality she has come to cherish.
Stacia has served in a variety of ministries at Grace, including Youth ministry, Women’s ministry, Disability ministry and most recently as a large group teacher in Grace Kids. Having a primary spiritual gift of exhortation, her greatest motivation is seeing spiritual growth take place in the life of a believer. Whether a child, a student, a woman or young mom, or an individual with disabilities, her deep desire is to see them take steps toward maturity in their relationship with God. She takes James’s exhortation to “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds” very seriously, and aches for believers of all ages to experience that joy when they embrace life’s difficulties and allow it to lead to a deeper love and dependency on Jesus.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: hiking, great books, the storyline of Scripture.
Contact Stacia
Kathy Deibler
Connections Coordinator
Before working at Grace, Kathy spent many years in the Federal Government and the telecom industry as an administrative assistant. While being a stay at home mom, she volunteered at Grace using her administrative skills, which led to her being hired nearly 18 years ago.
Kathy’s been married to her husband Kenny for 34 years. They have two wonderful children, Rachel & Scott. She loves going to the beach, reading, listening to music, cooking and taking walks.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Food – I love talking with people about what they’re cooking & eating.
Contact Kathy D.
Gennette Diggs
Guest Services Coordinator
Contact Gennette
Diane Dombek
Accounting Associate and Executive Assistant to Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor
Diane has called Grace her home church since she graduated college. She has been part of the Grace Kids ministry both as a single woman and as her daughters grew up. She still loves being in the 3-4 year old room. She also met her husband at Grace!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Reading, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class, missions, your children
Contact Diane
Karen Eisenhauer
AV Events Coordinator
Although Karen was formally trained as an engineer, God continued her education over the years in new ways as she raised her own children and was given opportunities to serve in ways that she never would have expected.
She has just celebrated 30 years of marriage with her husband, Bill, and has 2 grown kids – David and Rachel. She enjoys downhill skiing, snowmobiling and has even recently taken up scuba diving. In her limited free time, she enjoys reading and listening to music – often at the same time. Her favorite color of all time is purple!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Anything! She is game to discuss about any topic with the exception of movies, but can go toe to toe on veggies tales with anybody.
Contact Karen
Amy
Video and Media Specialist
Amy has been attending Grace since her college years and joined the staff in 2023! Saved at a young age, she knew that she wanted to grow into a career that merged with sharing the gospel. She feels blessed to be able to use her passion for filmmaking professionally in a God-honoring way! Born in Massachusetts, Amy was the first in her Puerto Rican family to grow up stateside. This colorful upbringing combined with the experiences of living in diverse places such as Hawai’i bring a unique perspective and influence to her work. What started as school projects and making short films with friends bloomed into a career when she attended the Zaki Gordon Center for Cinematic Arts at Liberty University. There she specialized in directing, editing, and production design, graduating in May of 2019. Her areas of creative interest include narrative filmmaking, abstract works, and faith-based/inspirational storytelling.
When she’s not busy creating stories, you can find her enjoying the stories of others – whether it’s films, animation, video games, or music. And if she’s not, it’s probably because she’s at her other favorite place: the beach.
Her family is from Puerto Rico. Other than her love for film is her love for the ocean. Shell picking is Amy’s favorite hobby. Sea turtles are her favorite animal, and her favorite color is glass teal. Favorite movie is Napoleon Dynamite with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) and Ever After (1998) in close second. Favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.
She still feel pretty new to the church, being that most of my time attending has been during the pandemic. Amy is excited to get to know more people and build more relationships, but she can be a little shy at first. So feel free to say hello!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Mention Hawai’i or Puerto Rico, the latest movies, classic Disney or Studio Ghibli animation, and video games like Animal Crossing or Kingdom Hearts. Also, as much as she enjoy telling stories, something she love is sitting back and letting others tell hrt theirs.
Contact Amy
Tiffany Fong
Marketing Coordinator
Her family is from Hong Kong, but her and her brother were born and raised in Maryland! Growing up in dual cultures wasn’t easy, but her Chinese & American background is part of what makes her who she is today. She loves comedy TV shows, superheroes, worship, and playing tennis!
Since she’s started with the Communications Team, you may have seen her walk by at a gathering or even interacted with her while she was hosting online!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Any superheroes, anything about the movie Trolls, Avatar the Last Airbender, musicals you’d recommend, or just how you’re really doing in life!
Contact Tiffany
Julie Gallo
Design & Media Specialist
Contact Julie
Bill Gillette
Worship & Weekend Experiences Pastor
Bill joined the Grace staff team in July 2019, relocating from Chicago. You’ll likely see him on any given Sunday in the lobby engaging and welcoming guests or possibly on stage leading worship, playing guitar or drums as part of the worship team.
Bill has been involved in vocational ministry for over 17 years, developing and leading teams in the areas of worship, production, communications, and assimilation. He has a Bachelors of Worship Arts degree from West Coast Bible College and Seminary. Prior to full-time ministry, he was an executive in the Audio-Video industry, designing and integrating systems for large venue applications including churches, corporate campuses, stadiums, and airports. His passion and gifting are for growing individuals and teams, especially as it relates to providing excellence and authenticity in the weekend worship experience.
Music is a passion for Bill. He plays guitar, keyboards, and drums. Bill’s musical influences include Kansas, The Dixie Dregs and Tedeschi Trucks Band, as well as Christian and Gospel music. His favorite sport is golf, and he’s an avid Chicago sports fan. He and his wife, Sue enjoy Jeopardy. They have one daughter (Rebekah) who lives in Western MO. Their favorite dog breed is Giant Schnauzer and they currently have one adoptee, Sasha.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Golf, music, or the Lord!
Contact Bill
Viola Grossmann
Care & Counseling Coordinator
At a very young age, Viola volunteered at a refugee camp and observed the ill effects of war and evil. This changed the trajectory of her life and career, leading her into human rights and defending religious freedom around the world; working with the US State Department and United Nations subsidiaries. After the tragic event of 9/11, Viola shifted her career to academics as a business manager where she was able to complete a 2nd graduate degree in Public Administration. She also holds a M.S in Management.
Viola enjoys reading, spending time with family, cooking and watching movies (anything to do with history, action and martial arts). She is also a published writer, having written for several devotional books and magazines in the past.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: The disadvantaged, the less fortunate, martial arts
Contact Viola
Jack Hoffman
Facilities Coordinator
He has been married to his beautiful wife, Denise, for 34 years. They have 5 children and 1 grandchild. He likes to make things: guitars, jewelry, knives, leather goods. He also loves the outdoors: camping, hiking, and kayaking. He became a Christian on October 15, 1978 and his favorite book is the Bible (Romans in particular).
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Guitars–I love ‘em!
Contact Jack
Jaime Holmes
Payroll And Benefits Administrator
Jaime is married to Andy and is mom to her three kids – Lindsey and twins, Jack & Allie. She loves to run and swimming is also part of her life– all of her kids swim year-round!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Running and UK basketball.
Contact Jaime
Jeff Hull
Facilities Assistant
Dave Joseph Jr.
Care & Counseling Pastor
Dave loves being a husband and father. He is an avid reader and enjoys swimming. He hosts a podcast, Anchored and Devoted, and writes devotionals for new believers, Made New. Dave also enjoys listening, learning, and applying God’s word to his life and working with others as they do the same.
Strike up a conversion. Just mention: Marathons, cooking recipes, and babies, the fluffier the better, are three things that make Dave smile.
Wendy Gladstone
K5 Assistant Director
Contact Wendy
Mitchel Lee
Lead Pastor
Mitchel has been serving as the Lead Pastor of Grace Community Church since the fall of 2016. He initially joined the Grace team in 2012 as the Teaching Pastor and Pastor of Young Adults, and has served in other roles including leading Adult Ministries and Small Groups.
Mitchel’s first pastoral role was in South Korea back in 1998. Since then, he has served in churches in Maryland and Chicago. He started out in student ministries, but over the last ten years, God has called him to work more with adults and families. (But he still loves students!)
His formal theological education started in South Korea, followed by North Carolina for seminary, then to Chicago for grad school.
Mitchel’s first book, “Even If,” was published in 2021. The Spanish version is also available.
He and his wife Sarah have 5 beautiful kids (the “bigs” and the “littles”). He enjoys golf, but can spend days on the river casting a fly to a finicky trout. The outdoors, especially mountains, rejuvenates his soul, and he always has a book on hand (except in a river).
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Fly fishing!
Click here to get regular writings from Pastor Mitchel sent right to your email inbox!
Contact Mitchel
Amita Mackin
Senior Director of Finance and Operations
Amita has gone from Bookkeeper to Finance Manager to Finance Director at Grace over the last 23 years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Finance from Villanova University and worked as an Accountant at BlueCrossBlueShield prior to joining Grace.
She got married at Grace in 1993 (hers was the first wedding at the Rumsey Road building), and she and her family have been attending/members ever since. She met her husband James in high school — they both grew up in Howard County (although Amita went to Wilde Lake HS and James went to Oakland Mills HS). Along the way, they both came to know the Lord through Young Life in high school. They have two children – Kelly and Kate. She has served in GraceKids, Small Groups, Delta, and Women’s Ministry.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Empty nesting or Disney World
Contact Amita
Brittany McCarville
Birth to Pre-K Coordinator
Most of her professional experience has been in the government IT world. Through all of that experience she had to coordinate projects and people, so transitioning to coordinating projects and people in the church wasn’t a huge leap. She has also worked in children’s ministries before and homeschooling her oldest daughter during the pandemic.
She has been married to her husband, Aaron, for 11 years and they have two daughters, Haley (6) and Gentry (4). Brittany love anything arts and crafts, reading anything she can get hands on and anything that makes her laugh.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Art, prayer, motherhood, Bible study
Contact Brittany
Victoria Nuguid
Executive Assistant to the Pastor of Family Ministries
Victoria and her husband Steve have been married for 23 years. They have two sons, Josiah and Elijah. What keeps them busy? Trying out restaurant recommendations, going on road trips, or chilling at home.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Tropical plants, books you love, the Philippines!
Contact Victoria
Jill Maddox
Grace Kids Director Birth - PreK
Jill has been married to Doug for 26 years (they met at Virginia Tech), and together have 3 children. Jill’s kids went or are going to the same high school that she went to! Jill also loves doing anything creative and planning things. Her favorite place is the beach or anywhere hot– she is “powered” by the sun. She loves traveling (especially mission trips to Mexico, Indonesia and El Salvador).
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: the BEACH! And GraceKids (it is a big part of who I am!)
Contact Jill
Ashleigh Millison
Grace Kids Birth - PreK Coordinator
Before coming to Grace, Ashleigh worked as a pre-school teacher for twelve years and loved connecting with children and families. She’s passionate about children, families, missions, and prayer. Her family started attending Grace in in 2022 when they moved to Maryland from the west coast. Her husband is her very favorite person in the world, and a close second are her two teenage kids. She loves to read and go on walks in nature, especially if it includes good conversation.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: your story! She loves people and hearing their stories, so tell her your story and she will have so many follow-up questions.
Contact Ashleigh
Nelson Moreno
IT Intern
Nelson was saved at his previous church in 2010, and after high school he started working various jobs up until he decided to start studying IT in 2021. He has been at Grace since 2015. Since then, he has participated in many young adult events and has been a part of a few small groups. Now, he’s on the worship team and co-leads a small group. You can find him sitting with the young adults on the left side of the main auditorium. His hobbies are playing volleyball, learning new board games, and getting together with friends to have video game competitions via livestream.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Super Smash Bros or One Piece.
Contact Nelson
Katrina
Executive Assistant to the Senior Director of Adult Ministries
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: The beach, reading & writing haiku, or sushi.
Contact Katrina
Tae Pae
Missions & Mobilization Pastor
Tae began in ministry about 30 years ago as a youth pastor. After 5 years of serving in youth ministry, he was asked to serve as the children’s pastor, which he loved for over 3 years. Soon after, he took on a full-time job as the lead pastor of a small church.
While he was serving as a children’s pastor, he attended Urbana 1993 and gave his life to be a missionary. Since then, he has been involved in missions work and prepared to go overseas. However, God had a plan for him to be a missions pastor and gave him wonderful opportunities during the last 15 years to experience His work around the globe.
Tae also lived in Thailand for two years to develop a strategy to reach the Thai Buddhists and to build a team to engage with the target people group. After Thailand, the Lord placed a vision in his heart to reach the Muslim nations, which brought him to Grace.
Tae is married to his “hot foxy mama,” Kathy. They’ve been married for 23 years and have two wonderful children – Madison and Hudson.
Tae loves sports, particularly soccer, wrestling, and gymnastics. He also loves art and photography, and has been drawing and painting since childhood. His favorite movie is “Brave Heart,” and his two favorite books are Lord of the Earth by Don Richardson and Let the Nations be Glad by John Piper.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Food or Missions!
Contact Tae
Kathy Petersen
Senior Director of Adult Ministries
After 30 years serving as an administrator and teacher in higher education, Kathy joined the staff at Grace in 2016. Her heart beats passionately for the marginalized, women, and racial justice. She has a desire to see the church united with no dividing lines among God’s people. She strives to be a bridge builder across ethnic and cultural groups – and challenges herself and others to live out the Biblical message of justice, reconciliation and unity with all God’s image bearers. She seeks to live out Isaiah 58 and Micah 6:8 — to seek justice, to show mercy and to walk humbly…. to have the light of Jesus rise in the darkness and to be a repairer of broken walls.
Kathy has called Grace her home church for over 22 years and prior to joining staff she served in the Children’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, and as a faculty member in the DELTA leadership program.
Kathy enjoys time with her husband, Rodney, and her daughters, Emily and Amanda, reading a good book or several at a time (loves recommendations from others but passes on science fiction), sharing a cup of tea (hot or iced) with girlfriends, walking on any beach, hiking to any breath-taking view, eating warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and enjoying time with friends old and new.
Kathy grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Maryland to pursue her graduate work at the University of Maryland. After finishing her graduate work she lived in Baltimore City for 8 years before settling in Howard County with her family.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Jesus, women (their identity and lived experience), racial justice (or injustice) in America, good hiking places, travel destinations not to be missed
Contact Kathy P.
Seth Rumsey
Pastor of Disciple Making and Multiplication
Seth has been serving at Grace, specifically in the areas of community groups and discipleship ministry since 2017. Prior to joining Grace, he was a youth pastor at Community Fellowship in Chicago for 11 years.
Seth has been married for thirteen years to his lovely wife Joy, and they have four children – Davy, Joanna, Evangeline, and Brooks. His hobbies include woodworking, painting, drawing, reading, and spending time outdoors hiking and enjoying God’s creation.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: I’m passionate to see God’s people rise to their fullest potential as his beloved children growing in the character of Christ and using their God-given gifts to serve and bless others.
Contact Seth
Brooke Schneider
High School Director
Brooke started on staff with Grace in the fall of 2023. Prior to that, she was an English teacher at Long Reach High School for 11 years. Before returning to Grace, she was a worship leader and the nursery director at her previous church.
Brooke attended Grace with her family in middle and high school and went on to be a part of the Fusion church plant in Ellicott City. She came to know Christ in 8th grade on a youth group retreat to Rockbridge! Since returning to Grace with her family over a year ago, she has served in Grace Kids with the infants and preschoolers.
Brooke has been married to Bob since 2009, and they are now a family of four. Brooke and Bob are licensed foster parents in Carroll County, and they still love leading worship together when they get the chance. Brooke loves being outside, especially at a lake or beach. She enjoys going to concerts, rewatching Parks and Rec, doing crosswords, trying out new coffee shops, and taking her two dogs to the dog park.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: their kids, music, a good book, pets, or fostering.
Contact Brooke
Chae Shiao
Students Event Coordinator
She was born in Buan, South Korea, but her family moved to the states in 2001 when she was 4 years old. She grew up in church because her dad was a pastor! She loves cooking and baking, watching Korean tv shows, playing board games with friends, and playing video games with her husband.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: The Legend of Zelda video game series, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot series, or co-op board games!
Contact Chae
Joanne Shin
Front Desk Representative
Joanne has been a stay at home mom for many years and has worked in various companies working in office administration. The last job she had was with an internet advertising agency.
Her hobbies include rollerblading, going outdoors to walk, getting out in nature and spending time with friends and family – especially when good food is involved. She tends to like the color pink and all things floral!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: The TV show Survivor, Jesus, or the Bible!
Contact Joanne
Andrew Son
Worship Assistant
Andrew joined Grace in 2019 and has been on staff since summer of 2022. He serves on the worship team and young adult nights on rare occasions. Prior to that, He served as the college ministry worship leader at Bethel Korean Presbyterian Church and as a music director during Harris Creek’s church plant. If you see him around don’t be afraid to come say hi!
Born & raised in Maryland, Andrew spent most of his years in Howard County. He graduated from Marriotts Ridge High School in 2013 and went off to work towards his B.A. in Music Technology at UMBC. Andrew continues to grow in knowledge and experience within the AV world and loves every second of it.
Having a natural drive for competition, Andrew loves playing any type of team sport and staying active. He also finds books related to psychology/communication fascinating but above all, anything music related is his forte!
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Are there more wheels or more windows?
Contact Andrew
Shaena Foot
Interim Beyond Director
Shaena graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in elementary education and special education. She taught in Howard County for six years prior to having children. When her oldest daughter was one, God called her to go to Uganda to work side by side with the teachers in AOET’s primary school. She had no idea the experience would have such a drastic impact on her life. God opened her eyes to his people and work around the world, and she knew God was calling her to get more involved in global missions. Shaena volunteered in the Beyond Department for several years and went back to Uganda several times both as a trip participant and a trip leader. She also had the privilege of traveling to Kenya. In 2013, she accepted the position of Impact Trips Coordinator. During her tenure at Grace, she’s been able to travel to East Asia, Africa, and Latin America and watch as Gracers have taken that same leap of faith to “go” and experience God in a different context and culture.
Shaena has been at Grace for most of her life. Her father helped start Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium when she was a baby. She grew up going to that church until they moved to Howard County when she was in middle school. Grace Community is a sister church to Grace Fellowship and as a family, Shaena started attending Grace Community when she was in eighth grade. She’s grateful that she and her husband settled in the area and have continued to attend Grace and serve in the church together.
Shaena has been married to Jeff (also known as “Footy) for almost 20 years. They have three children… Caitlyn, Avery waiting for them in heaven, and Bailey.
She loves to read (mostly fiction, but the occasional non-fiction book), exercise, travel, and spend time outdoors. Her family enjoys riding bikes and hiking together.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Missions/global travel or a good fiction novel
Contact Shaena
Lauren Thomas
Communications Director
Lauren started working as Grace’s Multimedia Specialist since 2017, where she produced, shot, and edited videos; took photos, and told stories in various formats. She previously served as an intern and a part-time Social Media Specialist before joining the team full-time. She has called Grace her home church she since was 10 years old. Now with her experience, she has taken on the role of Communications Director to continue casting vision in a wider scale for Grace.
Lauren graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Her original career goal was to go into sports broadcasting, so throughout college she worked on various sports broadcasts and video productions. Meanwhile, she was also involved with campus ministry and spent the summers of her underclassmen years on mission trips. Through those ministry experiences, God captured her heart for vocational ministry.
She’s also a national champion jump roper (yes, it’s a real sport), and she currently coaches the team she grew up on. She loves running and sports. She cheers for all things Terps. She’s also a foodie, and loves cooking & baking. And she loves doing all of this with her husband.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Sports, food, travel, and pandas.
Contact Lauren
Tandi Thomas
Grace Kids Director K-5th Grade
Hobbies: Meeting friends to walk or have coffee, reading.
Contact Tandi
Rena Tolson
Director of Connections
Rena has served at Grace since 2009 in various roles, overseeing departments and initiatives and now serves as the Director of Connections, getting folks started on their spiritual journeys and getting connected to God and others. Prior to Grace, she spent 17 years in discipleship ministry of Women and the Deaf. She is also a trained Spiritual Director and Lay Counseling Minister.
Rena and her husband Warren have two grown children; Julia, married to Todd; and Joseph, married to Danielle. She enjoys any conversation about spiritual practices, being creative with art and food, and loves being in or on the water.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Spiritual Formation, the Deaf, or anything Italian!
Contact Rena
Aaron Wolf
Technical Director
Contact Aaron
Chris Wolf
Executive Pastor
Chris is Grace Community Church’s Executive Pastor and has been on staff since 2018. Chris is also a member of Grace’s Elder Board, which he has been serving on since 2017. He is currently enrolled at Lancaster Bible College, working towards a Masters of Ministry. Prior to being called to full-time ministry, Chris was a corporate sales leader at Tom James Clothiers for 25 years.
Chris has been a member of Grace Community Church for 26 years. Over the years, he’s had a hand in everything from overseeing Child Dedications and the premarital ministry, to various mission trips to Central America. He and Peggy, his wife of 20 years, have two daughters – Sydney & Sophia.
One of his favorite sayings is from Edwin Markum: “There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his way alone, whatever we put into the lives of others we get back in our own.”
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: Fishing, Golf, Discipleship
Contact Chris
Rich Yauger
Pastor of Community Life
He has been in full-time ministry for 18 years, starting off as a Youth pastor. More recently, he has been serving adults specifically in areas of discipleship and groups. He is always grateful for the opportunity to help people understand what it means to know and follow Jesus!
Rich and his wife Carol have 4 kids: Ezra, Mercy, Torah, and Judah. He enjoys reading, writing, running, and Star Wars.
Strike up a conversation. Just mention: The Pittsburgh Steelers