The Staff

Kendrick Vinar – Senior Pastor

Kendrick joined the pastoral staff at Grace Church of Chapel Hill as a district pastor in 2002. He served as the executive pastor from 2003-2004 before being set in as the senior pastor in August 2005.

Kendrick has a passion for worship and prayer and loves to share the Word of God in a way that encourages and transforms hearts. His leadership and emphasis on having a heart for God and people has ignited passion and fresh vision in his congregation as well as motivating people to action in their individual spheres.

Besides Jesus, Kendrick has a passion for: family, golf, espresso, espanol, the mountains, bow hunting and anything Mac. Kendrick and his wife Nana have been married since July 1993, have five children, and live in Chapel Hill, NC.

Kendrick Vinar is originally from Stillwater, Minnesota. He received his B.A. from St. Olaf College in Math and Religion and his M.A. from the University of St. Thomas in Teaching.

Kendrick taught high school math and physics and coached basketball for 5 years at Bethany Academy in Bloomington, MN. He also served as a staff pastor at City Hill Fellowship in Eden Prairie, MN for 8 years.

Jim Reklis – Staff Pastor

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.

Jim has a lifelong passion to see people transformed by God as they live in a vibrant community of faith. He oversees the small group ministry at Grace; the place for people to grow spiritually and form relationships.  Jim also oversees the mission’s ministries of Grace Church and enjoys seeing Grace reach across the street and around the world. Together with his wife, Phyllis, he also leads ministry to married and engaged couples.

Jim enjoys biking, golf, travel and spending time with family and friends.

He and his wife, Phyllis, met at Oral Roberts University and were married in November 1975. Phyllis home schooled their six children for eighteen years and served in various capacities in women’s groups at Grace. Phyllis is involved in mentoring women and enjoys speaking to groups on a variety of topics. She works in the community as a volunteer and 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

Jonathan joined the staff in December 2008. As the Executive Pastor Jonathan is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church. He also leads the young adult ministry and serves as District Pastor to Chapel Hill and North Durham. His passion is to see lost people come to know Christ and be transformed into mature disciples.

Jonathan graduated from Grace College of Divinity and served on staff for 3 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 5 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 4 worldchangers; Brooke, Stephen, Christin, and David.

DeWayne Watson – Family Life Pastor

DeWayne (Pastor D) leads the ministry teams for our families with children from birth through 6th grade. He also leads Cross Culture – our senior high student ministry. DeWayne has 14 years of pastoral experience having served in Florida and Texas. He joined the pastoral team in the Fall of 2005. DeWayne and his wife, Michelle, have three children and live in Holly Springs, N.C.

Jeremy Gwaltney – Youth Pastor

Jeremy is a pastoral intern with the primary responsibility for overseeing the junior high student ministries at Grace Church.  Jeremy has been a member of Grace Church since 1989 and has more than a decade of experience working with youth.  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.  As part of his intern responsibilities he also works with Living Way Church in Greensboro, a sister church of Grace.

He and his wife, Tiffanee, have two children, and reside in Durham, N.C.

Adam Dawson – C3 Pastor

Adam Dawson is a full-time missionary to the high school students of Durham and Chapel Hill in North Carolina. He taught high school math for four years before starting the Cross Culture on Campus Mission on August 20, 2007. He lives in Durham with his wife, Elizabeth, and two sons.

The first goal of C3 is to deliver the truth of Jesus to every high school student in Durham and Orange counties by connecting with them on every campus. The second is to establish and direct high school student communities that socially and spiritually develop Christ followers who then introduce their cultures to the Cross.