Leadership

Adam Swift

Adam is the Lead Pastor of Grace Church. Most of the wonderful things of his life have happened here at Grace: getting saved as a teenager, meeting his wife Hannah in youth group, being called into the ministry, getting started in ministry, and now leading the ministry here at Grace! Grace Church is very much Adam’s home and family. Adam is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College and Grace Theological Seminary. He’s a sucker for golf, large doses of coffee,…

Caleb Brussel

Caleb is originally from The Netherlands, the country that has more bikes than people! At Grace Church, Caleb works to oversee the adult ministries and lead the music on Sunday mornings. Caleb is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College and is working to complete his MDiv. in Biblical Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. When he is not at work, he enjoys a good book, a game of soccer, or time with friends. Caleb says, “I love working at Grace…

Charlie Hirschy

Charlie Hirschy is the Associate Pastor of Student, Young Adult, and Deacon Ministries. Charlie hails from Indiana and graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a degree in Youth Ministry. He has been ordained by the Charis Fellowship of churches, of which Grace Church is a member. Charlie says, “I am excited to be at Grace Church. I grew up in Indiana on a small dairy farm. I have 4 brothers (3 older 1 younger). I love exercising, reading, and sports (wrestling…

John F. Smith

Blog: PJ’s Spiritual Meanderings Pastor John has a passion to see people come to know and love God as they journey through His Word. This passion has taken him from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh before arriving in Lancaster in 1989 to become the Lead Pastor of Grace Church. In September of 2022, John stepped out of the lead pastoral role and into the part time position of Senior Associate. He oversees our Legacy Ministries (older adults ministry), our Kids Express PreSchool…

Makensy Pletcher

Makensy Pletcher was born and raised in Lancaster and has called Grace Church home for all of her life. Her own experiences in Grace Church’s Children’s Ministry spurred her desire to now serve as the director and help provide the current CM kids with the love and care she received for so many years.  Makensy received an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, with a special emphasis in Special Education, through Millersville University and HACC. She loves spending time with…

Shannon Heverin

In her role as Office Manager, Shannon is the face and voice of Grace Church during the week. In her role she oversees the day to day church operations and supports our ministry leaders. Shannon lives in Kinzers and is married to her best friend, Frank. They have 2 children: Nathan and Madeline. As a family they enjoys board games, movies, miniature golf, and music. In ministry, she enjoys caring for and sharing the love of Christ with everyone she…

Terri McMullen

Terri joined the Grace Staff Team in 2014.  Terri pays bills, creates financial reports, prepares payroll, and facilitates registration and tuition payments for Kids Express Preschool. Terri and her husband Tim have been married for over 30 years and have been blessed with 4 children: one is school-aged and three are grown.  In her spare time, Terri enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, and working on puzzles.

Rebecca Shiffer

Rebecca’s face is often the first one people see when they visit Grace on a Sunday morning! As our Hospitality Coordinator, she makes sure everyone feels welcome and connected to our church family, in addition to ensuring that our facility is a safe and beautiful place to gather. Rebecca is the beloved wife to Joe, mom to Mary, Joey, and Elizabeth, and “Bubby” to her grandkids. She has a good taste for British mysteries, Dr. Pepper, and vibrant running shoes.…

Holly Wismer

Holly provides encouragement, resources, and training for our church leaders, serves as a member of the LIFE Group Leadership team, and works to develop an equipping culture here at Grace. Holly also leads our Global Outreach Team, helping to mobilize the entire Grace Church family to be involved in cross-cultural missions. Outside of her ministry at Grace, Holly has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Encompass World Partners (formerly Grace Brethren International Missions). Holly’s husband, Michael,…

Mary Liz Youtz

Mrs. Mary Liz Youtz serves as the director of Kids Express Preschool, a ministry of Grace Church at Willow Valley. She was raised in Lancaster County and has served in Christian education for over 40 years. She graduated from Millersville University with her Masters of Education (Elementary/Early) and received her Elementary Principalship Certification from Penn State University. She serves Homeschool families as an evaluator for K-12 students. She also is an adjunct in the education department at HACC Lancaster. Mary…

Don Mills

Mike Murry

Mike and his wife Teresa have been attending Grace Church since 1995 . Lifelong residents of Lancaster County and High School sweethearts, they were married in 1971 and both pursued their individual careers. Teresa was a dental hygienist for 23 years, and Mike held various technical and leadership positions in the transportation industry for 45 years with the High Companies. Mike and Teresa serve on numerous teams at Grace and feel blessed to be a part of a Bible believing,…

Rich Feaster

Rich and his wife Patty have been married for over 25 years. They are the parents of four children; Maranda, Matt, Karli and Robin, and they have two grandchildren. Rich grew up in Aston, PA while Patty has lived in the Willow Street area her entire life. The Feasters have been attending Grace Church at Willow Valley since 2004. Rich graduated from The Williamson School of Mechanical Trades in 1981 receiving a degree in Construction Technology. He is currently employed…

Chris Leaman

Chris and his wife, Ali, have been married since 1996 and have been blessed with two wonderful daughters, Anne and Laura. After graduating from Grove City College in 1995 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering Chris worked for AMP Incorporated in Harrisburg (later became Tyco Electronics). During his time with AMP and Tyco, Chris and Ali moved to the Chicago area. While working for Tyco Electronics, Chris had the opportunity to return to school at Northwestern University and graduated in…

Ted Long

Ted is a lifetime resident of Lancaster County. He is the self employed owner of Ted Long Flooring. He and his wife Janet have been married for over 27 years and have three children; Meagan, Teddy and Joey. In addition to serving as an elder, Ted plays bass on one of our worship teams and serves as an usher. For over 18 years, our family has called Grace Church home.  I have grown up spiritually at Grace and have come to…

Chuck Pletcher

Chuck and his wife, Kerri, have been attending Grace Church since 2001. They have five children and two grandchildren. In addition to serving as an elder, Chuck currently serves as a Life Group Leader, an usher, and previously as a member of the GO Team. He is also a director on the board of the Mix at Arbor Place. Chuck graduated from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in 1991 and Elizabethtown College in 2008. He worked in a family-owned automotive…

Barb DiBiase

Shawna Hess

Rick Jordan

Jim Loose

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