Brady grew up in a large Christian family that would lead him to Christ at a young age. The churches he grew up in however were often quite strict and more focused on behavior change than heart change. During a rough time in high school one of Brady’s teachers showed him great love and acceptance and made him realize that he wanted to do for other kids what that teacher had done for him. Soon Brady was a teacher of Social Studies looking to “change the world.” His journey as a teacher eventually led Brady to teach at Grace Christian School and he and his family got involved in all kinds of ministries at Grace. In 2007 he would join the church pastoral team part time and eventually would transition from the “school side” to the “church side,” serving as the Pastor of Young Adults. It was during these first days of Pastoral Ministry that Brady would experience what he calls his “Gospel Revolution.” God began to show him how much He really loves and cares for us all unconditionally because of the work of Jesus, not the work of Brady. The Gospel is not something we use to just secure our ticket to Heaven. It is the event whereby we are changed daily and forever into the likeness of Jesus. Brady and his wife, Joy, have 4 young adult children: Victoria, Alex, Carter and Daria. Brady has degrees from Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania, Regent University, and Liberty Baptist Seminary.

Brady's Hope for Grace

Brady’s great desire for Grace is that we would truly become a disciple making church that sees all come to an understanding of the awesome nature of God’s grace and it’s power alone to change us. His prayer is that we would “grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ,” becoming like Him in his death and resurrection. He envisions a church of deep family love for each other and for our neighbors who aren’t part of the church…yet.

Mark’s parents emigrated from Egypt to raise their family in America. His father mentored him with the belief that God would do great things through Mark's life. When Mark was still a young teen, his father went home to Heaven. Yet through that pain and loss, Mark emerged with an even greater sense of God's calling in his life. Although he studied at the University of Maryland to become a physician, he realized that the Lord wanted him to be a soul physician.

When Mark was studying at Capital Bible Seminary, he became friends with a family who attended Grace. Through that friendship, Mark sensed a calling to Grace to help fulfill its vision of reaching people who are far from God and helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ. He came on staff in 2008 overseeing the evangelism and connection ministries. Before coming to Grace, he served in a cross-cultural context as a youth pastor in Washington D.C. Mark has two degrees from Capital Bible Seminary with training in pastoral ministry and counseling. He is married to his high-school sweetheart, Dani Beth. They have three children, Elijah, Naomi, and Benaiah.

Mark's Hope for Grace

Mark’s passion is for Grace to be a church that centers everything on the message of the gospel and is sent out by the mission of the gospel. He envisions a multi-cultural and multi-generational church that passionately loves God and people. His prayer is that Grace would be a place where struggling and hurting people find freedom through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jamie placed his faith in Jesus Christ at a young age having grown up hearing about Jesus and the importance of what Christ has done for us. Jamie explains, “One night, as a child, I overheard my mother talking to one of my older brothers about Jesus; I asked her about Jesus, heaven, and what I had to do to be in heaven with Jesus. That night my mother explained to me again about how God showed His love to me, and I placed my faith, my trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of my sins and I began a great new relationship with Him that has changed my life forever.” Jamie first came to Grace as a college student looking to get involved in a good church. He began serving in the church’s AWANA program and soon became a pre-school Sunday school teacher. Upon graduation from the University of Maryland, Jamie joined the staff at Grace Christian School, teaching middle school math for several years. In 2007 Jamie joined the Pastoral Team as the Pastor of Children. Jamie is married to his wife Genevieve (Gen) and together they have four sons: James, Timothy, David, and Joshua. Jamie has degrees from the University of Maryland and Liberty Baptist Seminary.

Jamie's Hope for Grace

Jamie’s hope for Grace is that the church will grow in their love for God and people as it grows deeper and wider. He sees a church that learns God’s Word but also stays humble as hearts are expanded to receive God’s never ending love and grace. His prayer is that Grace would share this love and grace of God within families and around our community.

Bill grew up in rural Indiana and was the youngest of six kids. He grew up in a strong Christian home and it was his family and church that showed him his need for a personal relationship with Jesus. But it was not until his college years that he took his relationship with God seriously. Bill decided to go to Liberty University and study Physical Education. There, God was really working in Bill’s life and he decided that he wanted to serve God in a Christian school. It was there that Bill also met his wife, Lisa. Bill and Lisa first came to Grace through Grace Christian School in January 1983. Bill started the Physical Education and sports programs at GCS. In 1986 Bill joined the Church staff as they were in need of a Youth Pastor. He felt God leading him in that direction and so now, rather than coaching students on the athletic field, he is coaching students in the greatest adventure of their lives as they live for God. Bill and his wife Lisa have two adult children: Bryce and Amber who are involved in many of the ministries at Grace. One of Bill’s greatest joys is having his children working in ministry alongside him.

Bill's Hope for Grace

Bill’s passion is for youth and so his hope for Grace is that students would realize the greatest gift they have is their lives and that they would accept Jesus sacrifice at an early age and then follow and grow in Him. He wants to encourage students to get connected to a caring group who will disciple, train and challenge them to live for God 24/7. Bill’s desire is that the church would love this community and world as we show them Christ.

Andrew grew up in the Chicago area and was raised in a faithful Christian family. At a young age he came to an understanding of the gospel and his need for salvation while in Sunday school. He gave his life to Christ and accepted Jesus as the Lord and Savior of his life. Later as he grew, Andrew entered a period of his life marked by continual rebellion and resistance to God. Through faithful, patient discipleship, he was graciously shown God's grace and mercy, and brought to repentance by being confronted with the radical gospel truth found in scripture: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 1:8.  He was then motivated to recommit his life to Christ and pursue a life of musical artistry for the Glory of God. Following careers as a professional music director and fine arts educator in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Minnesota, Andrew felt the Lord's call to pursue full time pastoral music ministry in the local church. God initially connected Andrew with Grace Baptist Church in 2018, and after an extended time of waiting and spiritual growth, he came to Grace in 2020 as the Pastor of Music. He and his wife, Liz met while in college and have been married since 2014. Andrew has music degrees from Belhaven University and Tulane University, and a certificate in worship leadership from Samford University Ministry Training Institute.

Andrew's Hope for Grace

Andrew's great passion for Grace is to make disciples of Christ by leading His Church to worship in spirit and in truth. Andrew's desire is to do so by pursuing Jesus in his personal faith journey, encouraging disciples through musical expression, training and developing the next generation of worshipers and worship leaders, and administrating platforms that empower believers to serve God more effectively. His vision is for Grace to serve God’s kingdom by declaring His truth expressed through music and then inspire and empower the next generation in the work of the gospel. He wants Grace to glorify God in and above all things, and worship Jesus passionately through authentic and culturally diverse modes of worship. He also desires for those who serve in music ministries to possess, in addition to a strong vertical focus, a strong emphasis on cultivating individual hearts in pursuit of Christ and practically living out faith in radical expression toward His glory.

Akin grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland and came to faith right out of high school through the faithful witness of his wife, Kellee. God, in his great love, revealed to Akin his sin which caused him to place his faith in Jesus Christ in the summer of 2010.  Akin was baptized and discipled at Grace Baptist Church. He is happily married to Kellee, and they have 4 children: AJ, Colton, Beckett, & Everlee.