At Grace, we have a team of pastors that work together to lead the church and establish overall ministry goals.

Staff Elders

Brady Wolcott

Pastor of Discipleship and Teaching

Brady's Story

Mark Tanious

Pastor of Preaching and Vision

Mark's Story

Jamie Miller

Pastor of Children and Administration

Jamie's Story

Bill Blackford

Pastor of Students

Bill's Story

Andrew Craig

Pastor of Music

Andrew's Story

Pastoral Assistant

Golden Aina


Non-Staff Elders

Bryce Blackford

Bryce came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ when he was 6 years old, and he was later baptized at Grace Baptist Church. Bryce was born and raised at Grace Baptist Church with his dad on staff from the time he was born. Now he and his wife, Kristen, are raising their family Dawson, Peyton, and Molly at Grace. 

Jim Guidry

Jim was saved at 16 years old after being influenced by the book Joni by Joni Eareckson [Tada]. He eventually joined a Bible-based church and was scripturally baptized in 1991. Jim met Debbie after college, and they were married a couple of years later. They have been active members in local, Bible-based churches throughout their marriage. Jim and Debbie joined Grace Baptist Church in 2001.

Nathan Heijermans

Nathan was saved at the young age of five, and was baptized as a teenager. Growing up in a missionary family in Europe exposed him to to the gospel early on, as well as many aspects of discipleship and church ministry. He and Tara were married in 2005, and now have four children (Hannah, Micah, Leah, and Noah). They've been part of GBC since 2018, when they moved back to the area from Germany. 

Don Jillson

Don is married to Jennifer, his wife of 30 years. They have three grown daughters and three grandchildren. Don was saved at the age of 14 years old after growing up in a Christian home. He and Jennifer became members of Grace in 1992 when they were stationed in the area when Don was on active duty with the Coast Guard. 

Dan Redmond

Dan started attending Grace when he was thirteen and put his faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of 14. He and his wife, Megan, have been married for 30 years and have three children; Amanda, Brandon, and Clayton. 

Mike Yeager

Mike grew up in Bowie and has been in Bowie for 50 years. He met his wife Cindy, who joined the church in 1988 and worked at Grace Christian School as the music teacher for 9 years. They have three chil­dren, Stephanie, Hayley and Aaron. Mike met with Pastor Price in 1980 and he accepted Christ as his savior. Mike was baptized and became a member in 1982. 


Ministry & Support Staff

Gregg Kendall

Business Administrator

Gregg moved to Bowie in 1994 after graduating from UMD. He and his wife, Emily, found Grace Baptist Church right away and transferred their memberships in 2002. They have two adult children; Jordan and Olivia. Gregg has worked in finance for 30 years. He uses his professional skills and the resources God has provisioned for the advancement of the work of Christ.

 

Kristen Blackford

Church Office Manager

Kristen loves interacting with people and helping them with whatever they need. Grace is where she found her closest friends and a true church family. As she puts it, "Attending church here is awesome and working here is an extra special bonus!” Kristen is married to Bryce and have three kids: Dawson, Peyton, and Molly.

Russell Murphy

Facility Manager

Russell came to know Christ in 1969 through the prayers and witness of his wife Vicki and her parents. Russell has worked in maintenance for over 4 decades. In 2014, he decided he wanted to use his gifts and expertise to serve the local church. Russell loves being able to work in an environment of Christian fellowship and brings a fun, helpful spirit to the staff.

Daniel Vakharia

Manager of Media & Communication

Daniel has been attending Grace since he was eight years old. He came on staff in 2016 when the pastors saw a need for a visual communicator. Daniel uses his skills in videography, photography, and web/graphic design to advance the mission of the church and spread the gospel to those in the community. He met his wife, Katie, at Grace and they got married in 2019.

Cindy Yeager

Music Assistant

In 1988, Cindy came to Grace Christian School as the music teacher and later joined the church staff as the music assistant. Cindy met her husband Mike at Grace and together they have raised their three kids in the church. Cindy loves serving alongside music pastors that have a deep love for the Lord and a deep desire to make music an integral part of the corporate worship service.

Joy Wolcott

Administrative Assistant

Joy came to Grace with her husband Brady in 1998 to work at Grace Christian School. “We’re a package deal,” she says. She came on staff with the church in 2010. Joy loves using her secretarial and administrative gifts to serve the church. She loves the relaxed atmosphere and the fun, friendly, loving people on staff at Grace.

Susan Toczylowski

Nursery Director

Susan joined the church staff in 2004. She loves working at Grace because her position enables her to provide tangible help to families with young children, not only on Sunday mornings but throughout the week.

Eunice Abutan

Children's Ministry Assistant

Eunice grew up in church ever since she could remember. Yet, true knowledge of salvation didn’t occur until the age of 17. She attended Bethany Baptist Bible College in the Philippines; where she met her husband Roy. God lead the couple, along with their children Johanna, Josette, and Jeremiah to join Grace in the summer of 2019. Eunice is fun-loving, enjoys interacting with others, and is humbly blessed to be part of the children’s ministry.

Dorothea Harrison

Biblical Counselor

Dorothea has been a member of Grace since 2004. She was encouraged to pursue an MA in Biblical Counseling which she received in June 2019. Since graduation she has served the church and community through counseling individuals and families, walking with them through difficult times and ministering the gospel. She and her husband Victor raised five children in the church.

Liz Craig

Social Media Manager

Liz moved to Maryland and came to Grace in 2020 with her husband Andrew when he joined the pastoral staff. She and Andrew have one child, Arlen. Liz joined the church staff in 2023. She loves serving the church by using her photography and web/design skills.


Deacons

Roy Abutan

Deacon of Sunday Morning Classes

Mike Burr

Deacon of Benevolence

Antonio Moody

Deacon of Support Groups

Toby Byrd

Deacon of Grace Christian School

Scott Perry

Deacon of Ordinances

Dan Puckett

Deacon of Toolbox Ministry