, Lead Pastor
gracechurch@wrgbc.com

Pastor Jason Haymaker was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business from Grace College ('94) and his Masters in Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary ('99). Jason served as the associate/youth pastor in Akron, Ohio from 1994 to 1996. In October of 1996 He and wife Marcie accepted the position to come to GRACE as the associate/youth pastor. In 2000 Jason was asked to become senior pastor of the church. Jason testifies that his life is defined by the four passions that drive him: love for the Lord, his wife, children, and ministry. He and Marcie live in Macedonia and have two children: Caleb, 11, and Emily, 7.


Bethany Solyntjes, Director of Worship and Creative Arts
bethany@wrgbc.com

Bethany and her husband, Chris join us from Wadsworth, Ohio. They have been married for three years, and have a new baby daughter, Ella. Chris helps with sound and electric guitar and also works for an Architectural Firm in Cleveland.
 
Bethany began leading worship as a junior in high school for her youth group at Norton Grace Brethren Church. While Bethany attended Grace College, she majored in Counseling and a minored in Sociology. Busy in her studies, she also led worship for the youth group at Christ Covenant Church. Upon graduation, Bethany returned to Norton to resume her worship leader position for the youth group.  
During this time, Bethany began praying to the Lord; that He would show her what He wanted her to do with music and her passion for worship. Jason had seen Bethany when she was leading at Norton during high school and knew she was gifted. Jason made a phone call and Bethany knew it was the Lord answering her prayer.
Bethany's favorite worship groups include Hillsong United, Chris Tomlin and David Crowder.
When asked, "What is your hearts' desire?" Her answer was, "I want people to understand what worship is and what it's not. Worship is a lifestyle; a way we can give God the glory he deserves on a day-to-day basis. Worship is not singing songs on a Sunday morning, worship is the condition of your heart while you're singing, obeying, trusting, working, creating, praying, etc… (this could go on and on forever!). Music is merely an avenue to worship God. When we grasp this concept, it will literally change who we are."
 
Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and 11:00 for powerful worship and relevant teachings from the Bible.


Marty Dent, Pastor of Student Ministry 
mdent@wrgbc.com

Marty grew up in Northfield and is an alumnus of Nordonia High School. He came to know the Lord at the age of 15 through a local youth ministry. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (Bachelor of Arts, ‘94) and moved to Colorado to pursue the outdoors and job opportunities. In 1996 Marty joined the ‘Seeker Project’— a church-planting ministry—and helped start Summitview Church in Broomfield Colorado. After volunteering with the youth ministry for two and a half years he was asked to join the staff of Summitview as their youth director in 1999. Marty moved back to Northeast Ohio for family reasons in 2004, and has been on staff at Grace since June 2005. Marty has a strong passion for youth and for them to know and learn the truth of God in a fun, exciting, relevant way. He and his wife, Jenn, live in Northfield Center.


Virginia Meisner, Director of Children's Ministry
vmeisner@wrgbc.com

Virginia grew up in the Cleveland area. She accepted the Lord at age 17 and Virginia grew up in the Cleveland area. She accepted the Lord at age 17 and started teaching a children’s Bible study that same year. The Lord guided her to attend Wittenberg University where she met her husband Kevin and earned a degree in education. After college, Kevin and Virginia settled in Twinsburg and she taught school before having their first child. Their home now includes three wonderful boys, KJ (16), Ryan (14) and Ian (12). She loved working with the children at Grace during her 12 years as a member. In January of 2005 Virginia came on staff as the Children’s Director. She says, "It is a privilege to introduce children to our Lord and then help them on their spiritual journeys.


Cheryl Simon, Assistant to Pastor Jason
gracechurch@wrgbc.com

Cheryl was raised in Twinsburg, and currently lives in Macedonia with her husband, Jeff, and their sons Alex (16) and Joe (13). Cheryl and Jeff were the first couple to be married by Pastor Ron Boehm in  the "new" Grace Church after the building was completed. Through the years they have enjoyed being a part of the Grace family, and feel particularly blessed that their sons have been involved in the incredible children's and teen's ministries at Grace. Cheryl was asked to come on staff at Grace in February of '08, and believes that God led her to this position at just the right time for her family. Cheryl says that one of the best things about Grace church is it's people: friendly and caring, always seeking to reach people for the Lord, just as they are. Being a part of the Grace community continues to strengthen her trust in God and His plans for her and her family.

Todd Gorrell, Director of Outreach and First Impressions

tgorrell@wrgbc.com

Todd was raised in Roanoke, IN and now lives in Macedonia, OH with his wife Hilary and daughter Adisyn (1).  He earned his degree in Criminology and Insurance at Indiana State University.  Todd also served in the military for eight years and is a veteran of the most recent war in Iraq.  Todd and Hilary have been members at Grace Church since 2004 and their lives have never been the same since. Currently, Todd is studying to become a pastor and is a student of the Grace School of Ministry, while working full time in the financial industry as a mortgage consultant.  His passions are serving the Lord, being a devoted husband and father, and playing sports.

Paul Gorrell, Director of Small Group Development and Facility Management

Paul, a Hoosier by birth, set-up camp in Ohio upon his collegiate graduation. In 2006, he completed his degree in Criminology and Insurance and Risk Management at Indiana State University. Here at GRACE Church, Paul has served in the worship and youth ministries and is a serious threat on the GRACE Men's Softball team. Paul is a GRACE School of Ministry student and in hot-pursuit of pastoral licensure. Paul is passionate about music and loves to hear and tell stories of how God changes lives.