Leadership

Our church is governed by a body of elders, a foundation which is solidly Biblical (Acts 14:23, 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4) and has been a part of Grace Church from its beginning. The staff coordinates the daily operations of their area within the church.

Staff

Tom Rodgers, Lead Pastor

Tom has been on the staff of Grace Church since May of 1976. He is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Phoenix Seminary (D.Min.). Married in 1971, Tom and his wife Charma are the parents of two grown daughters and grandparents to five grandkids. Tom is committed to being a player-coach as the staff leader, but balances out his time as a shepherd in Grace Church by spending time with his grandchildren, fly fishing, hunting, and yardwork.

Reggie Coe, Family Pastor

Reggie joined the Grace Church staff in September of 1978. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin (B.S.) and Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.). Reggie convinced Becca to marry him in 1974. They have three grown daughters who are all married and live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex and have provided Becca and Reggie with 6 grandchildren. Reggie’s ministry focuses on families, Men’s Ministries, pastoral counseling and teaching. He became a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan at an early age and has followed them loyally through the down years as well as the good years. He also enjoys watching sports, plays an occasional round of golf badly and likes to hunt (trust me, most of the animals are safe).

Lance Bourgeois, College and Young Adults Pastor

Lance joined the staff of Grace Church in August of 1998. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University (B.A.) and Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.). Married since 1994, Lance and his wife Ellen are the parents of two children. Since relocating to Texas, Lance and Ellen have been able to maintain a commitment to make an annual pilgrimage to Louisiana to see their beloved LSU Tigers play in Tiger Stadium but fear that their cajun roots expire as neither of their children enjoy boiled crawfish. Lance works with students from high school graduation until they reach their mid-30s. In addition, he works with helping individuals identify their God-given passions and equipping them for individualized ministries.

Brandon Carpenter, Senior Adults and Christian Education Pastor

Brandon joined the Grace Church staff in March of 2008. After cramming four years of undergraduate studies into seven years, Brandon graduated from Wayland Baptist University (B.S. & M.Ed.) and from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A.R.). Currently, Brandon is working on his D.Min. from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Brandon and Dawn have been married since May 1998 and have two children. For comic relief and increased anxiety in his life, Brandon enjoys an occasional game of golf. He is responsible for developing the small group ministry and leading the Senior Adult Ministry (SAMs) at Grace Church.

Curtis Lindsey, Senior High Pastor

Curtis is passionate about communicating biblical truth in an exciting way and equipping students to know and love God. Between his love of reading, writing, sports, fantasy football, and the latest high-priced technology, he talks way too much. Curtis is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and Texas A&M University (B.B.A.). Curtis and his wife Jennifer have been married since December of 2006 and are excited about the new ministry opportunities at Grace Church.

Travis Janousek, Senior High Director

Travis initially came on staff as an intern in 2006, but now heads up the high school ministry. Travis plans to graduate from Midwestern State University in May 2010 and then attend seminary. His passion is making relationships with high school students and helping them pursue Jesus Christ. “Travis Time,” as he calls it, is filled with kayaking, bike riding, and being outdoors. And contrary to popular belief, he is not John Krasinki (Jim) from the TV show “The Office.” He just looks like his twin brother.

George Castro, Junior High Pastor

George (no relation to Fidel Castro…he thinks) first came on staff as a junior high intern and is now serving as Director of Junior High Ministries. George enjoys investing in the lives of junior high students and challenging them in their walk with Christ. He’s making a concerted effort to extend his college student career as long as possible, but in his free time, George enjoys watching and playing soccer (though he finds watching easier), traveling, running, being outdoors, and anything involving music.

Jason Custer, 5th & 6th Grade Pastor

After a lengthy courting period, Jason finally snuck his way on to the Grace Church Staff in March of 2009. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Before coming to Grace Church, Jason spent his summers on staff at Kanakuk Kamps (2002-08). Jason is passionate about creating personal relationships with students and training them to be actively involved in the discipleship process. In his free time, Jason enjoys sports and outdoor activities of all kinds. Although often referred to as young, dumb, and ugly, Jason hopes he is fooling everybody, and is actually smarter than he appears.

Josh Fernberg, Children’s Pastor

Josh Fernberg joined the Grace Church staff in June of 2009 with the desire to help children grow in their knowledge of God’s character and discover how big His love for them is. After graduating from the University of North Texas in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Human Resource Management (B.B.A.), Josh attended and graduated from the Kanakuk Institute. Josh and Allison married in 2004 and have two sons, Ben and Sam. In his free time Josh likes to run, and play any sport with a ball, but mostly loves hanging out with his family.

Geoff Meador, Worship Leader

Geoff has been on the staff of Grace Church since September of 2004. He holds a degree in Christian Ministry from Wayland Baptist University and is currently attending Dallas Theological Seminary. Geoff and his wife Abby have been married since 2002 and they have one son with more energy than both of them combined. Geoff strives to create an authentic atmosphere that encourages participation in corporate worship during our Sunday services. He is also responsible for our website, meaning that he could theoretically put whatever he wants in this space … and no one would ever know :)

Brian Wetherbee, Church Administrator

Brian joined the Grace Church staff in March of 2006. He is a graduate of Midwestern State University (B.A.). Brian has three awesome children that keep him busy. Away from work, Brian enjoys cooking and competing in triathlons. Although Brian was horrible with money earlier in his life and is still paying off his transgressions from college, he is commited to the faithful and responsible stewardship of the church’s resources. He is grateful Grace Church did not run a background check prior to his employment.

Elders

Harry Allison

Harry has been an elder at Grace Church since 1983. He and his wife Marilyn were married in 1959. They have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. Harry is retired, and he and Marilyn lead the Senior Adult K-Group and co-host the Senior Adult Bible Fellowship. He also serves as the elders’ liaison to the Administrative Team.

Jim Chandler

Jim became an elder in 2009. He and his wife Dede were married in 1986. They have two daughters, one grown and one in college, and a son in high school. Jim is a real estate broker and general contractor. He is active in the music ministry, men’s ministry, adult short term missions, and leads a K-group. He enjoys exercise and playing golf.

Reggie Coe

Reggie became a Grace Church elder in 1989. He and his wife Becca married in 1974. They have three grown daughters and three grandchildren. Reggie joined the staff of Grace Church in September, 1978 and currently ministers as Family Pastor. He enjoys hunting, golf and cycling, and oversees our Men’s Ministry and our Pastoral Counseling Ministry.

Bill Daniel

Bill has been an elder at Grace Church since 2003. He and his wife Cecille have three grown sons and one grandaughter. Bill is in the restaurant business and enjoys flyfishing and travel when time allows. Bill and Cecille help lead a K-group and are involved in the Koinonea Team which plans fellowships for Grace Church.

Charlie Eipper

Charlie became an elder in 2009. He and his wife Yvette were married in 1994. They have one son and two daughters. Charlie is employed with the Wichita Falls Police Department. He leads a K-group and enjoys teaching in the Youth and Adult Bible Fellowship classes. He also ministers to children in “Day Camp” and to youth on short-term summer mission trips. Charlie enjoys lifting weights, running and reading.

Bill Gowan

Bill has been an elder at Grace Church since 1983. He and his wife Joan were married in 1961. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. Bill practices law with Tate, Gowan and Wilson PLLC. His hobbies include fishing, cooking and playing golf. He is a K-Group Leader, greeter and liaison for the Mission Team.

Martin Litteken

Martin has been an elder at Grace Church since 2000 and, prior to that, served as a deacon for several years. He and his wife Jeanie married in 1975 and have two grown children. Martin is a licensed civil engineer and surveyor. He is active in the music ministry and has been a K-Group and men’s morning Bible study leader. When he has free time he enjoys ranch work and hunting.

Herb Moller

Herb has been an elder in Grace Church from its inception in 1964. He and his wife June were married in 1943 and have one daughter, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Herb continues to work daily in his oil business, and he can usually be found greeting people at Grace Church.

Phil Ringman

Phil became an elder at Grace Church in 1995. He and his wife Jaynie have two grown children. Phil is a Certified Financial Planner® and financial adviser. He enjoys reading, running and travel. Phil and Jaynie host the Real Life Adult Bible Fellowship and are involved in the Koinonia Team.

Tom Rodgers

Tom has been an elder in Grace Church since 1987. He and his wife Charma were married in 1971 and have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. Tom joined the staff of Grace Church in 1976 and is currently the Lead Pastor. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, fly fishing, hunting, and yard work.

Larry Schmeltzer

Larry became an elder in 2009. He and his wife Carol were married in 1974 and have two grown children. Larry retired from the U.S. Air Force after a 20-year career and currently practices dentistry at Sheppard Air Force Base. Larry is a K-group leader and an ABF teacher. He enjoys swimming, biking, reading, travel, and yard work.

Deacons

In the early church, men and women were examined and appointed as deacons and deaconesses to carry out functions which were not being fulfilled by other members of the church family. Grace Church is blessed to have a large and active group of men and women who are enthusiastically performing those tasks necessary for the health of the body. For this reason, the elders do not see a need at this time to formally identify deacons or deaconesses to minister. Rather we want to express our appreciation to the men and women who are actively serving the needs of our church.