Jim Reklis – Community Life Pastor
- Email: jim@gracelife.com
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/reklisabandon
Jim has been on staff at Grace since November of 1989. He served as an associate pastor from 1989-1999, executive pastor from 2000-2002, and senior pastor from 2002-2005. More…
Jim has a lifelong passion to see people transformed by the Gospel and live in a vibrant community of faith. He oversees the small group ministry at Grace, the place for people to grow spiritually and build relationships. He also oversees missions and enjoys seeing Grace Church reach across the street and around the world. He serves as a leadership coach to ministry leaders, pastors, and missionaries. Jim enjoys biking, golf, travel, and spending time with family and friends. He attended the University of Minnesota and Oral Roberts University. He completed a masters level missional leadership certificate program at The Resurgence in Seattle, WA. Jim is also a certified coach. He and his wife, Phyllis, met at Oral Roberts University and were married in November 1975. They have six adult children and one grandson. Phyllis is involved in mentoring women and enjoys speaking to groups on a variety of topics. She works in the community as a companion for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Prior to his pastoral role at Grace, Jim served as senior pastor at Bethany Chapel, Wynne, Arkansas (1986-88), senior pastor at Gracelife Church, Marshall, Minnesota (1983-86), and associate pastor at Victory Vineyard Fellowship, Burnsville, Minnesota (1980-83).
Jonathan Love – Executive Pastor
- Email: jonathan@gracelife.com
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/jonathanlove09
Jonathan joined the staff in December 2008. As the Executive Pastor Jonathan is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church. His passion is to see lost people come to know Christ and be transformed into mature disciples. More…
Jonathan graduated from Grace College of Divinity and served on staff for three years at Manna Church in Fayetteville, NC. Then God called them to Southern Pines, NC to be a part of Grace Church of Southern Pines where he served for five years as Executive Pastor. Jonathan and Michelle were married in 1999 in Daytona Beach, FL. Michelle graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in speech pathology. She now spends her time home schooling their four world changers: Brooke, Stephen, Christin, and David.
Jeremy Gwaltney – Associate Pastor
- Email: jeremy@gracelife.com
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/jgwaltney325
Jeremy is a staff pastor who serves as the GraceKids Director, Guest Services Director and oversees young adult ministries at Grace Church. More…
Jeremy has been a member of Grace since 1989 and has more than a decade of ministry experience. He has a degree in Communication from N.C. State University and a Master’s of Divinity in Advanced Biblical Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeremy joined the pastoral team in the Fall of 2003.
When he is not trying to chase down his two young daughters or enjoying quality time with his wife, Jeremy enjoys theological and historical reading, watching a good television show, fishing and all things NC State sports. He and his wife, Tiffanee, have been married since 2003 and reside in Durham, NC.
Chris Bitsas – Creative Director
- Email: chris@gracelife.com
Chris Bitsas joined the staff in July of 2012 and is serving as our Creative Director. He has been attending Grace since the Fall of 2002. His primary responsibility is providing creative vision and organizing teams around the creation and presentation of media. More…
Chris is a licensed architect and has worked in the profession for 10 years before coming on staff. He is a avid maker and photographer and enjoys tinkering in his studio. He went to school at UNC-Charlotte where he met his wife Leslie. They were married in 2002 and have three daughters, Ava, Adelynn, and Ruby.
Adam Dawson – Student Pastor/ C3 Director
- Email: adam@gracelife.com
- Web: www.igo2c3.com
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/adamcdawson
Adam Dawson joined Grace Church’s team in August 2007 as a full-time missionary to the high schools of Chapel Hill and Durham. More…
He helped pioneer Cross Culture on Campus, Grace Church’s campus outreach to the area’s students, and now oversees C3 at 10 high school campuses, reaching about 100 students each week. Adam was ordained at Grace Church in October 2009. As of June 2012, Adam is the Student Ministries Pastor, overseeing the high school and middle school students. He loves it! Reaching students and building their lives for Jesus is his passion. Prior to joining Grace Church’s staff, Adam was a high school math teacher for four years. He holds an undergraduate degree from St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD and a graduate degree from the University of Mississippi. He was born and raised in Leavenworth, KS. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have four children and live in Durham.
Nick Dentel – Assistant to Kendrick Vinar
- Email: nick@gracelife.com
Nick Dentel left the beautiful people and places that are the West coast to woo his future wife here in North Carolina. More…
The pursuit of his wife brought him to Grace Church where he has been a member since 2008, and currently serves as Pastor Kendrick’s personal assistant. Nick has a degree in Bible and Intercultural studies from Columbia International University. Nick enjoys rock climbing, and can’t get the Cascades out of his dreams. His days outside of Grace are filled with books, changing diapers, and attempting to either grow or build something. Whether he is adventurous or cautious we can’t agree on, but we definitely know that he is a better man because of his wife and young daughter.
Darnell Tayleor – Assistant Director of C3
- Email: luis.jireh@gmail.com
Darnell Tayleor is a part-time missionary to the high school students of Durham, Wake, and Orange Counties. He has been a member of Grace Church since October of 2004. More…
Before becoming Assistant Director of Cross Culture on Campus(C3), Darnell was the owner and operator of a commercial cleaning business. Darnell’s heart is to see every high school student come to know Christ by providing them with God-centered communities to grow in the knowledge of Him. Darnell and his wife, Nikko, live in Durham with daughter Brielle.
Quauhtli Olivieri – College Student Coordinator
- Email: campus@gracelife.com
- Twitter: Twitter.com/loborican
Quauhtli has been attending Grace Church since the fall of 2003. He was born in Bosques de Aragon, Mexico but grew up in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. More…
He moved to North Carolina in the summer of 2000. He graduated from Raleigh Charter High School in 2007 and from NC State University in the fall of 2011. He plans to enroll at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall of 2012. Quauhtli married his beautiful wife, Kathryn, in December 2010. Quauhtli is the College Campus Coordinator.