Our Pastoral Team
Pastors
Staff
Pastors
Instead of one senior pastor, we have a pastoral team that function as co-equals in leading the church and establishing overall ministry goals.
Brady Wolcott
Pastor of Discipleship and Teaching
Brady's Story
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 Tanious
Pastor of Preaching and Vision
Mark's Story
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 Beniah.
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.
Bill Blackford
Pastor of Students
Bill's Story
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.
Jamie Miller
Pastor of Children and Administration
Jamie's Story
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.
Staff
Mike Beckman
Business Administrator
Mike joined the church staff at Grace in 2016 bringing over thirty-eight years of Corporate Accounting & Finance, along with previous Church Finance / Treasurer, responsibilities and experiences. He is a Certified Public Accountant with a MBA in Finance. Mike, and his wife Elaine, have a married son Ryan living in California.
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.
Cindy Yeager
Music Assistant
In 1990, 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.
Bill Sofley
Financial Accountant
By God’s direction Bill and his family found themselves in Bowie, MD where Bill’s brother and his family already attended Grace. Bill came on staff in the business office in 1999. He has a deep love for God, the church, and the folks who attend each week. His heart is for service and he has voluntarily led in many ways over the years, including leading our team of ushers.
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.
Felicia Flynn
Administrative Assistant
Felicia grew up in a Christian home where she accepted Jesus at age 12. Felicia and her husband, Kevin, started coming to Grace when their kids began attending Grace Christian School. Felicia came on staff in the office in 1999. She loves being able to work alongside loving friends that want to serve God and the church just like she does.
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.
Lila Fraser
Children's Ministry Assistant
Lila joined the GBC staff in 2016. Lila has a deep love for children and a passion for them to have a personal relationship with Jesus. She has a degree in Elementary Education and spent 10 years teaching in Christian schools before spending the last 10 years homeschooling her own two boys