.jpg) Pastor Dave just can't get the church out of his life! He was raised as one of those infamous "preacher's kids". He "escaped" to college, but found God faithfully working in his life, calling him into full-time vocational ministry as a pastor himself. After teaching high school English for 5 years, he transplanted his family to northern Indiana, and in 1986 he graduated from Grace Theological Seminary with a Master's of Divinity degree. In 30+ years of preaching, Pastor Dave has developed a simple teaching style of relating the Scriptures to our weekly lifestyles. He feels he is successful in communicating God's Word when the congregation - both young and old - grows in understanding the Scriptures and applying them to their lives. Pastor Dave's ministry companion is his wife, Nancy, who grew up with him in church youth group. They have been blessed by God with three girls and now, three sons-in-law.
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The Elder Council provides the spiritual oversight which God appointed to guide and grow His church in Christ's teaching. These men give support to the church staff and serve as a united mind in helping them to carry out their responsibilities. An elder believes God has called him to be a spiritual mentor to others. An elder, therefore, willingly serves as a model for the congregation which Christ has entrusted to his care. Guiding Scriptures are Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 20:28-31. The elder council is comprised of Mark Bailey, Bob Bryant, Dick Detrick, Hal Moser, Charlie Staton, and Dave Kennedy.  Mark Bailey grew up in Roaring Springs, PA. When he was in the fourth grade he received Christ as his personal savior. He married his wife, Autumn, in 2002 and relocated to Richmond soon after. A few months after they moved they started attending Community of Grace Church. Mark has served on the elder board for the last 3 years, and is heavily involved in the Youth of Grace ministry here at the church. He enjoys bike riding downtown, and spending time with his wife and their two girls, Jaclyn and Cameron
. Bob Bryant became a Christian in 1962 and it has been the keystone of his life. He married Lori, the joy of his life in 1972 and attributes his spiritual growth to her daily example of faithfulness. They have two grown children who provide daily care and support. Bob loves to lead Bible study classes that reveal God’s plan for His people. One of his favorite expressions is “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed”.
 Dick Detrick has served on the Elder Council since 1998. He has been married 52 years to the love of his life, Johnnie. One of his sons and his daughter-in-law and grandchildren are also members of our congregation. Dick likes to travel, read, play golf, cheer for his wife at swim meets, and periodically he teaches classes on evolution and creationism in our church. Dick is a huge news junkie and loves to eat oysters. In his spare time he likes to see how fast he can fill in Sudoku puzzles.
Hal Moser- God used many faithful Christians (At the time, Hal thought they were obnoxious) to explain the only message that gives eternal life. Hal ridiculed and rejected them and their message for many years before God patiently opened his eyes to understand that his sin, especially his continual and arrogant denial of Jesus Christ as God, deserved eternal punishment. Understanding the amazing truth that Jesus paid for his sins by dying on a cross, at the age of 30, he put his hope and trust in Christ. Hal has served in many leadership and teaching roles and his wife and best friend, Shelley, works in a variety of compassion ministries. They have two children. Their daughter graduated from Liberty University majoring in elementary Education and their son is serving in the United States Marine Corp. Finding the empty nest boring and purposeless, Hal and Shelley continue to parent foster children. Hal is now one of those "obnoxious" Christians believing that God's purpose in the world is to use His Church to call people to faith and mission. Charlie Staton was born in Rockbridge County, Virgina where beginning at age 12 he attended the Grace Brethren Church in Buena Vista. As a teenage he was very active in a boys club and youth group. He also taught a Sunday School class of 8-9 year old boys. After high school he attended Grace College during which time he married his wife, Loretta, who was also a member of the church in Buena Vista. After graduation he taught school in Warsaw, Indiana. While in Indiana they attended the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. In July 1967 they moved to Chesterfield County so Charlie could take a position as an Elementary School Principal. At the same time they became members of the Richmond Grace Brethren Church. They have been active members since. Since this time Charlie has been in a leadership role of doing what needed to be done. The church first met in a community building next to a fire station. Then we moved to the church's old location at Robious and Cranbeck, which was built by the men of the church. He also had a role in the construction of Community of Grace's present building. Charlie was a member of the church softball team for over 20 years. He enjoys reading nonfiction, playing golf, spending time with his wife, children and 6 grandchildren. God has made the difference! Dave Kennedy...bio located under Team (Pastor Dave) |
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 Born and raised in a Christian home, Brad quickly began leading a dual life – living one way when around those from his church and a very different way around everyone else. But God saved him from a life that was wildly spiraling out of control and brought Brad to his knees during the summer of 1998. This powerful interaction with Jesus lead him to commit his life to full-time vocational ministry, and he spent the next seven years gaining formal ministry training at Grace College and later at Grace Theological Seminary, ultimately graduating with a Master of Divinity in Counseling. |
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The Deacon Council serves the physical needs of the congregation so that the Elder Council can continue in the ministry of prayer and of the Word of God. A deacon is respected for spiritual wisdom and faithful service. The deacon has a sensitive ear to the congregation's needs. Scriptures which speak to this important ministry are Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13. CGC currently has 1 woman deacon and 3 men deacons. Dana Butler was born and raised in Henrico County, Virginia and graduated from Douglas S. Freeman High School in 1971. She has a younger sister, and a niece and nephew whom she loves spending time with. Dana loves sports! She is a DIE-HARD Redskins fan, but also enjoys following the Atlanta Braves and Washington Capitals. In her free time you can find her bowling, and she is currently apart of three different bowling leagues. She started attending Community of Grace (formerly Richmond Grace Brethren Church) in December 2001, was baptized on Easter Sunday in 2003, and became a member of the church in August 2003. She is beginning her sixth year serving as a Deacon at Community of Grace and is also heavily involved in the Food Pantry ministry here at the church. Lonn Butler grew up the youngest of eight children in Martinsburg, PA, son of a mother of strong faith who prayed for his guidance through the rough teen years. Lonn wore many hats in the early part of his working career, until he decided to pursue his passion of landscaping and being outdoors--where he came to embrace all God's created miracles. Lonn TRULY believes that what he has and what he is able to do for others is through the grace of God. Lonn started attending Community of Grace in October 2004. He met his wife, Lori, on a bind date in January 2005. They have been married for 3 years and work as a team ministering and volunteering for many church activities. 
John Schoeneweis grew up in and around Washington DC, where his parents, two sisters and their families still live. John and his wife Ann have three children, Jennifer, Caroline and Spencer; they have attended Community of Grace since 2005. John has traveled extensively both with the U.S. Marine Corps and his current position with the U.S. Department of Defense, which the Lord has used to lead his heart toward mission work and being God’s voice in this world.  Caleb Stiffler- With his parents involved in church and youth ministries all his young life, Caleb Stiffler grew up with a good understanding of what ministering to others looks like. He lives by his motto, "see a need, fill a need" and his fellow church members know they can call him for an extra hand. As part of the deacon team, he heads up the maintenance team for CGC. Caleb is fun-loving, friendly, and fast-paced. His work as an outside plant engineer keeps him busy, but when he has spare time you'll probably find him in the woods archery hunting. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and their 4 children. |
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