Staff & Leadership

Dr. Matt Cassidy and his wife, Melinda, have been married for 38 years and have three children. Their son, Ryan, and his wife, Gayle, have two daughters and live in Austin. Daughters Carey and Amy live and work in California. The Cassidys began attending Grace in 1988, and Matt was hired as Interim Youth Pastor in November 1989. He has served as Senior Pastor and Elder for 22 years, after serving in Student Ministry for 9.5 years and Adult Ministry for 2 years at Grace.

Dr. Cassidy holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas in Austin, a Master of Divinity from the International School of Theology, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology.

Spiritual Gifts: Teaching and Leadership

“My vision for Grace is for Her to become all that God created Her to become. I believe local churches are like people: designed uniquely for special good works in Christ, arranged before time. My vision is that Grace would continue to grow in courage in her obedience to the desires of the Father, by the power of the Spirit, for the exaltation of the Son.

 

My passion is to see peoples’ lives change by helping them understand the depths of Bible truth and applying those truths; relying on the Spirit. I pray that Grace would introduce and guide each and every person we can touch to progressively experience the power, honor and freedom that comes with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Ray Anderson has been married to his wife, Diana, for 44 years. They raised four children:

• Oldest son, Christopher, his wife Danielle and three daughters, Lillie, Hannah, and Ella live in Kentucky.
• Son, Kirk, his wife Rebecca, their son, Desmond, and daughter, soon to be born, live in Pennsylvania
• Our daughter, Mallory, and youngest son, Keaton, live in the Austin area

The Andersons moved to Austin in 1990 from College Station and became members during that first year. Ray joined the pastoral staff in 1995 in Adult Ministry, where he served for five years until becoming the Executive Pastor in 2000. He and Diana served in the Children’s Ministry, led and taught Adult Communities, and Ray and Dr. Cassidy launched the life-stage communities in 1998 including Young Couples, New Parents, Young Families and Parenting Teens.

Ray holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech and a Master of Arts in Adult Education from the University of Texas. He has completed seminary courses through the Institute of Biblical Studies with Campus Crusade for Christ (now “Cru”), where he served on staff for 17 years. He is a trained Mediator and Conflict Coach through Peacemaker Ministry and has written and contributed to various Bible study materials and the book, “Search for Significance.”

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Shepherding, Administration

I pray the people of Grace would be overwhelmed by the grace God has shown them and this compels them to love God and show it through their lives.

Ryan Assunto and his wife, Allison, have called Grace Covenant Church home since 2017. The Assuntos have been married since 2007 and have three children: Blythe, Carter, and Grace. Ryan began serving at Grace in the Hospitality Ministry, driving golf carts before and after services. He and Allison also serve in Grace Kids and are active members in the Parenting Teens Community. Ryan also helps shape and energize Mobilization and Generosity efforts at Grace.

Ryan has a background in vocational ministry and small business leadership. He currently serves as the President of the Austin affiliate of National Christian Foundation, which helps charitably-minded individuals and families develop creative and effective giving strategies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Spiritual Gifts: Apostleship, Giving, Leadership

My prayer for Grace Covenant is that we would love God and love one another in ever-increasing measure. I pray that our view of God and our view of the world would be informed primarily by Scripture, so that, individually and collectively, with humility and joy, we would allow the Spirit of God to transform our lives. In short, my prayer is that we would become more like Christ in all of life.

Cliff Blount and his wife, Becky, have been attending Grace since 2014. The Blounts have been married since 1984 and have two adult children: Kyle and Laura. Cliff and Becky have served as small group leaders in Grace Kids and participate in a Life Group together. Cliff has been involved in Men’s groups through Quest and is one of the lead teachers in the Building Your Finances God’s Way course, helping people to see their resources as ways to serve the Kingdom of God.

Cliff has practiced law in Austin since 1987 and is currently a partner in the Austin office of Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, primarily practicing in areas of public finance and real estate. He holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Texas A&M and graduated from the University of Texas Law School.

Spiritual Gifts: Giving, Serving, Faith

My prayer for Grace is that, in all of our ministries and activities, we would accomplish the reason for our existence – to guide people to become like Christ in all of life.

Scott Garner grew up at Grace and he and his wife, Tara, have been attending since 2001. The Garners have been married for 23 years and have three adult/teen children: Kenley, Harris, and Jonah. Scott and Tara have served together in the children’s ministry, adult ministry, and as pre-marital mentors at Grace for many years. Scott currently serves on the Leadership Team for the Men’s Ministry and has seen God do amazing things in both his life and the lives of men at Grace.

Scott worked for 18 years in various business roles at Dell Technologies, then shifted towards enabling business strategy through the use of data. He is currently a Data Strategy Consultant at a small consulting firm, helping companies develop and implement data strategies for their business. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Baylor University.

Spiritual Gifts: Discernment, Knowledge, Encouragement/Exhortation

I pray that Grace would continue to trust the Lord wholeheartedly, teach Biblical truth unapologetically, and pursue Christ unequivocally. I pray that the people of Grace would live like Christ in all of life.

Jason has attended Grace since the summer of 2002. In addition to his role as Elder, Jason teaches in Adult Communities and Courses, volunteers with the Connections team and helps facilitate Membership Class. He works for Rimkus, where manages a team of consultants. He and his wife, Erin, have two sons, Seth and Cavin.

Spiritual Gifts: Discernment, Teaching, Leadership

I want to encourage every Grace attender to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

My prayer is that Grace will be a church transformed by God’s grace through close fellowship, a rich understanding of the Bible and service with one another.

Mark McClain has been a member of Grace Covenant Church since 1995. He and his wife, Marjorie (Marj), have three grown children and eight grandchildren, who are a source of great joy to them. Mark has served as an elder at Grace for more than 15 years throughout the family’s time at Grace. He has also led the Empty Nesters Adult Community and acted as a teacher and leader in many ministries including various Adult Communities, the Men’s Ministry, and Life Groups.

Mark is the CEO and founder of software company SailPoint, which he preceded with a career in tech through companies such as IBM and HP and start-ups like Tivoli and Waveset. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego) and a Master of Business Administration from UCLA. 

Spiritual Gifts: Giving, Discernment, Teaching

My hope and prayer is that we will all become more like Christ in all of life. It’s far too easy in our country to give lip service to the notion of Christianity. It can be more like belonging to the local community organization than experiencing a life-long passion to learn what it means to follow Christ. Living by faith, loving God passionately, truly loving others and sacrificing our desires to serve them – these are the things that will force people to ask us “why?” My prayer is that our lives will reflect Christ’s character, so people who are looking for the Truth will find themselves attracted to Him, because they see Him in us.

 

I pray that others will know we are followers of Christ by our love – real, authentic, grace-filled, tough-when-necessary, peacemaking, servant-hearted … love.

Bill has attended Grace for more than 40 years, joining shortly after relocating to Austin from New York. He and his wife, Shelley, have a long history of service with ministries at Grace. In addition to his role as Elder, Bill has served as a teacher, deacon, Men’s Ministry leadership team member and retreat speaker, small group leader, discipler, mentor, Stephen minister, and member of our prayer team.

Professionally, he has worked as a Quality Engineer, MBQA Examiner, and Quality Excellence Consultant in COO and CQO Manufacturing. He has served with the Christian Service Brigade and as a Christian camp counselor, and has a long history with non-profit administration and boards, and as a lay pastor.

Spiritual Gifts: Shepherding, Leadership, Knowledge

My continuing prayer for Grace Covenant Church is for the uncompromised truth of the Holy Scripture preached, taught and lived through our lives until the Lord returns. It is my prayer the result of living this truth will be an irrepressible love for the Lord, one another, for those that need God’s salvation and an abundant flow of souls coming to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. Matt Cassidy and his wife, Melinda, have been married for 38 years and have three children. Their son, Ryan, and his wife, Gayle, have two daughters and live in Austin. Daughters Carey and Amy live and work in California. The Cassidys began attending Grace in 1988, and Matt was hired as Interim Youth Pastor in November 1989. He has served as Senior Pastor and Elder for 22 years, after serving in Student Ministry for 9.5 years and Adult Ministry for 2 years at Grace.

Dr. Cassidy holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas in Austin, a Master of Divinity from the International School of Theology, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology.

Spiritual Gifts: Teaching and Leadership

“My vision for Grace is for Her to become all that God created Her to become. I believe local churches are like people: designed uniquely for special good works in Christ, arranged before time. My vision is that Grace would continue to grow in courage in her obedience to the desires of the Father, by the power of the Spirit, for the exaltation of the Son.

 

My passion is to see peoples’ lives change by helping them understand the depths of Bible truth and applying those truths; relying on the Spirit. I pray that Grace would introduce and guide each and every person we can touch to progressively experience the power, honor and freedom that comes with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Ray Anderson has been married to his wife, Diana, for 44 years. They raised four children:

• Oldest son, Christopher, his wife Danielle and three daughters, Lillie, Hannah, and Ella live in Kentucky.
• Son, Kirk, his wife Rebecca, their son, Desmond, and daughter, soon to be born, live in Pennsylvania
• Our daughter, Mallory, and youngest son, Keaton, live in the Austin area

The Andersons moved to Austin in 1990 from College Station and became members during that first year. Ray joined the pastoral staff in 1995 in Adult Ministry, where he served for five years until becoming the Executive Pastor in 2000. He and Diana served in the Children’s Ministry, led and taught Adult Communities, and Ray and Dr. Cassidy launched the life-stage communities in 1998 including Young Couples, New Parents, Young Families and Parenting Teens.

Ray holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech and a Master of Arts in Adult Education from the University of Texas. He has completed seminary courses through the Institute of Biblical Studies with Campus Crusade for Christ (now “Cru”), where he served on staff for 17 years. He is a trained Mediator and Conflict Coach through Peacemaker Ministry and has written and contributed to various Bible study materials and the book, “Search for Significance.”

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Shepherding, Administration

I pray the people of Grace would be overwhelmed by the grace God has shown them and this compels them to love God and show it through their lives.

Dr. Jeremiah Ebeling was born and raised at Grace Covenant Church, growing up in the children’s and youth ministries. He has served on staff for 19 years, starting as Associate Youth Pastor for three years, Youth Pastor for eight years, Adult Discipleship Pastor for two years (concurrent with his Family Life role) and exclusively as Pastor of Family Life for seven years and Team Lead for the Family Life Discipleship Team. Jeremiah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology. He and his wife, Dayna, have four children and a dog, Bentley.

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Shepherding, Exhortation

My prayer for Grace is Ephesians 3:17b-19
“I pray that GCC, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that GCC may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Melissa loves helping women grow in their relationship with Jesus and in freedom to be who He made them to be. She has been attending Grace since 2002 when she joined the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) ministry and re-dedicated her life to Christ, going on to serve in Grace Kids, Adult Communities and the Women’s Ministry before coming on staff in 2011. In her role as Women’s Ministry Pastor, Melissa oversees all women’s ministries including Women’s Bible Studies, Mothers of Preschoolers, MOMSnext, Square One, women’s retreats, Girlfriends at Grace events, and the Cultivate Discipleship Ministry. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Houston and is currently pursuing a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Melissa and her husband, Preston, have four children.

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Shepherding, Administration

My prayer for Grace is that we would be people who show the love of Christ to all, regardless of who they are, where they’ve been or past experiences. That we would accept people right where they are and disciple them to become more like Christ in all of life.

Robert has served at Grace since 2012, where he started as Children’s Pastor for seven years before moving into his role as Pastor of Men’s Ministry and Team Lead for the Targeted Discipleship Team. Robert holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Louisiana College and a Master’s in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Lauren, have two children.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Leadership, Serving

My prayer is that Grace would live up to her high calling of being a faith family where men and women of all ages are in the process of becoming like Christ in all of their lives. As we do that, that we would demonstrate to our local community and the world around us that Jesus Christ is King.

Kris’ ministry is to create discipleship opportunities by helping others connect within the church body, particularly through assimilation, life groups and hospitality. He and his wife, Lisa, have been attending Grace for more than 27 years. Kris holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Texas State University and served in various Grace ministries as a volunteer before joining the staff in 2017. Kris and Lisa have two daughters and two lovably noisy Goldens. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Christian Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Spiritual Gifts: Hospitality, Mercy, Discernment

I am constantly encouraged with all the testimonies I hear from Grace congregants. My prayer is Matthew 5:14, that we continue to be the “light to the world” here in Austin. That the Spirit will continue to work on the hearts of those who drive by our campus every day and we will be ready to receive them when they walk on campus.

Robin’s ministry calling is to equip and facilitate care leaders to effectively minister to those in our church and community dealing with difficult challenges. He has been on staff since 2000, serving his first five years as Worship Pastor before beginning his role as Pastor of Congregational Care. Robin is the Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery and oversees GriefShare, DivorceCare, Care Ministers, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Hospital visitation, Pastoral Counseling, funerals and memorial services. He and his wife, Debbie, have four adult children, three wonderful grandsons, and two Standard Poodles and a cat.

Spiritual Gifts: Shepherding, Mercy, Encouragement/Exhortation

Heavenly Father, I pray for your church to love you with all their heart, soul and mind and to love and serve one another like Christ with the spirit of humility, care, and love.

Dr. Kevin Maurice has served at Grace since 2011, first as the Middle School Pastor for five years and then Youth Pastor for seven, before moving into his role as Pastor of Adult Ministry and Team Lead for the Community Discipleship Team. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Texas, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kate, have four daughters: Mary, Evangeline, Rhiannon, and Blake.

Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Leadership, Administration

I pray that God would lead Grace Covenant Church to be a community of believers that loves the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, and strength. And that we would love our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and our city with the love of Christ.

David serves as the Adult Discipleship Pastor, overseeing the teachers and leaders of the Communities and Courses offered at Grace Covenant Church. David has a heart for discipleship and equipping people for the work of the ministry and desires to cultivate a ministry culture where people get connected, and disciples make disciples. He completed his undergraduate degree from Liberty University and earned a Master of Divinity from Southern California Seminary. David and his wife, Jaclynn, have three young children and have served at Grace since he joined the staff in 2020.

Spiritual Gifts: Encouragement/Exhortation

Keaton began serving at Grace in 2022, after spending 10 years in cross-cultural mission experience, both internationally and domestically, before starting as the Pastor of Mobilization. Keaton holds a Master of Arts in Church Planting from Southeastern Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Liesha, have a son and a daughter. The Kochs lived abroad for several years as overseas missionaries and together participate locally with the best city partners in the world. In addition to leading mission trips and mobilization efforts, Keaton serves in Grace Kids, and is a member of the Young Families community and The Quest Men’s Ministry.

Spiritual Gifts: Apostleship, Leadership, Evangelism

I pray that God grant the people of Grace to be strengthened with power through His Spirit (Ephesians 3:16) and so be filled with the fullness of God, such that we are unified in faith and conviction, such that the Word we received would “sound forth” (1 Thes. 1:8) throughout the City, the Americas, and the Nations.

Austen started as Associate Youth Pastor at Grace in 2022, partly due to Grace’s high value for Youth Ministry and the many amazing people who pour into the students as adult volunteers, student leaders, and college-age Summer Staff. He took on the role of Interim Youth Pastor in July 2023, where he also assists in teaching the Parenting Teens Community. Austen holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas A&M University, after which he completed three years of full-time ministry to college students in College Station. He recently completed a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Ashley, have two young daughters, an Australian shepherd and a cat, and enjoy participating in Grace Kids and the Young Families Community.

Spiritual Gifts: Knowledge, Teaching, Shepherding

Lord God, I pray that the people of Grace would love you and other people in a way that inspires others to do the same. I ask that older believers would disciple younger believers, modeling what it looks like to follow Jesus in all of life. Lord, let us be a people who are ready to share the Gospel and quick to invite neighbors, friends, coworkers, and classmates to be a part of what you are doing in and through us. Amen.

Fred came to Grace as Director of Operations in 2023, just in time to help us through an ice storm! Prior to joining us, he spent many years as a Personnel and Operations Manager in the computer industry. Fred holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Texas, and recently completed a Master’s of Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Gloria, have one adult son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Spiritual Gifts: Wisdom, Discernment, Administration

Julie is a former journalist and PR executive with a passion for storytelling and is thrilled to get to use that skillset for Grace Covenant Church. She oversees all communications emanating from the church with particular focus on how God is moving among the people of Grace.  She attended American University in Washington D.C, worked as a television reporter in Reno, NV and Austin, TX and as VP at a national Public Relations firm before joining Grace in 2024.

As someone who became a believer later in life, she still has “pinch me” moments that she came to know the One who made her.

Julie and her husband Ben were raised in Las Vegas and have three sons: Elias, Jonas, and Julian.

Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Discernament, Apostleship

“So many traverse this world not knowing where they came from, why they’re here, or where they’re going. It’s my deepest prayer that others will come to know the unrelenting love of God and the astounding acceptance and forgiveness that come through the gift of his Son.”

‘The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.’ Exodus 14:14

‘If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us. The choice is ours.’ Max Lucado

David serves as the Adult Discipleship Pastor, overseeing the teachers and leaders of the Communities and Courses offered at Grace Covenant Church. David has a heart for discipleship and equipping people for the work of the ministry and desires to cultivate a ministry culture where people get connected, and disciples make disciples. He completed his undergraduate degree from Liberty University and earned a Master of Divinity from Southern California Seminary. David and his wife, Jaclynn, have three young children and have served at Grace since he joined the staff in 2020.

Spiritual Gifts: Encouragement/Exhortation

Dr. Jeremiah Ebeling was born and raised at Grace Covenant Church, growing up in the children’s and youth ministries. He has served on staff for 19 years, starting as Associate Youth Pastor for three years, Youth Pastor for eight years, Adult Discipleship Pastor for two years (concurrent with his Family Life role) and exclusively as Pastor of Family Life for seven years and Team Lead for the Family Life Discipleship Team. Jeremiah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology. He and his wife, Dayna, have four children and a dog, Bentley.

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Shepherding, Exhortation

My prayer for Grace is Ephesians 3:17b-19
“I pray that GCC, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that GCC may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Keaton began serving at Grace in 2022, after spending 10 years in cross-cultural mission experience, both internationally and domestically, before starting as the Pastor of Mobilization. Keaton holds a Master of Arts in Church Planting from Southeastern Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Liesha, have a son and a daughter. The Kochs lived abroad for several years as overseas missionaries and together participate locally with the best city partners in the world. In addition to leading mission trips and mobilization efforts, Keaton serves in Grace Kids, and is a member of the Young Families community and The Quest Men’s Ministry.

Spiritual Gifts: Apostleship, Leadership, Evangelism

I pray that God grant the people of Grace to be strengthened with power through His Spirit (Ephesians 3:16) and so be filled with the fullness of God, such that we are unified in faith and conviction, such that the Word we received would “sound forth” (1 Thes. 1:8) throughout the City, the Americas, and the Nations.

Kris’ ministry is to create discipleship opportunities by helping others connect within the church body, particularly through assimilation, life groups and hospitality. He and his wife, Lisa, have been attending Grace for more than 27 years. Kris holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Texas State University and served in various Grace ministries as a volunteer before joining the staff in 2017. Kris and Lisa have two daughters and two lovably noisy Goldens. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Christian Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Spiritual Gifts: Hospitality, Mercy, Discernment

I am constantly encouraged with all the testimonies I hear from Grace congregants. My prayer is Matthew 5:14, that we continue to be the “light to the world” here in Austin. That the Spirit will continue to work on the hearts of those who drive by our campus every day and we will be ready to receive them when they walk on campus.

Dr. Kevin Maurice has served at Grace since 2011, first as the Middle School Pastor for five years and then Youth Pastor for seven, before moving into his role as Pastor of Adult Ministry and Team Lead for the Community Discipleship Team. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Texas, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kate, have four daughters: Mary, Evangeline, Rhiannon, and Blake.

Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Leadership, Administration

I pray that God would lead Grace Covenant Church to be a community of believers that loves the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, and strength. And that we would love our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and our city with the love of Christ.

Melissa loves helping women grow in their relationship with Jesus and in freedom to be who He made them to be. She has been attending Grace since 2002 when she joined the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) ministry and re-dedicated her life to Christ, going on to serve in Grace Kids, Adult Communities and the Women’s Ministry before coming on staff in 2011. In her role as Women’s Ministry Pastor, Melissa oversees all women’s ministries including Women’s Bible Studies, Mothers of Preschoolers, MOMSnext, Square One, women’s retreats, Girlfriends at Grace events, and the Cultivate Discipleship Ministry. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Houston and is currently pursuing a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Melissa and her husband, Preston, have four children.

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Shepherding, Administration

My prayer for Grace is that we would be people who show the love of Christ to all, regardless of who they are, where they’ve been or past experiences. That we would accept people right where they are and disciple them to become more like Christ in all of life.

Robert has served at Grace since 2012, where he started as Children’s Pastor for seven years before moving into his role as Pastor of Men’s Ministry and Team Lead for the Targeted Discipleship Team. Robert holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Louisiana College and a Master’s in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Lauren, have two children.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Leadership, Serving

My prayer is that Grace would live up to her high calling of being a faith family where men and women of all ages are in the process of becoming like Christ in all of their lives. As we do that, that we would demonstrate to our local community and the world around us that Jesus Christ is King.

Robin’s ministry calling is to equip and facilitate care leaders to effectively minister to those in our church and community dealing with difficult challenges. He has been on staff since 2000, serving his first five years as Worship Pastor before beginning his role as Pastor of Congregational Care. Robin is the Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery and oversees GriefShare, DivorceCare, Care Ministers, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Hospital visitation, Pastoral Counseling, funerals and memorial services. He and his wife, Debbie, have four adult children, three wonderful grandsons, and two Standard Poodles and a cat.

Spiritual Gifts: Shepherding, Mercy, Encouragement/Exhortation

Heavenly Father, I pray for your church to love you with all their heart, soul and mind and to love and serve one another like Christ with the spirit of humility, care, and love.

Austen started as Associate Youth Pastor at Grace in 2022, partly due to Grace’s high value for Youth Ministry and the many amazing people who pour into the students as adult volunteers, student leaders, and college-age Summer Staff. He took on the role of Interim Youth Pastor in July 2023, where he also assists in teaching the Parenting Teens Community. Austen holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas A&M University, after which he completed three years of full-time ministry to college students in College Station. He recently completed a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Ashley, have two young daughters, an Australian shepherd and a cat, and enjoy participating in Grace Kids and the Young Families Community.

Spiritual Gifts: Knowledge, Teaching, Shepherding

Lord God, I pray that the people of Grace would love you and other people in a way that inspires others to do the same. I ask that older believers would disciple younger believers, modeling what it looks like to follow Jesus in all of life. Lord, let us be a people who are ready to share the Gospel and quick to invite neighbors, friends, coworkers, and classmates to be a part of what you are doing in and through us. Amen.

Fred came to Grace as Director of Operations in 2023, just in time to help us through an ice storm! Prior to joining us, he spent many years as a Personnel and Operations Manager in the computer industry. Fred holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Texas, and recently completed a Master’s of Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Gloria, have one adult son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Spiritual Gifts: Wisdom, Discernment, Administration