The New Testament makes clear that God has entrusted the care of His church to elders. Paul charged the Ephesian elders to “shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Peter exhorted elders to “shepherd the flock of God among you… not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God” (1 Peter 5:2). Elders are overseers, shepherds, and examples to the people of God. Their responsibility is spiritual leadership—teaching, protecting, guiding, and caring for the flock that Christ has redeemed.

At Grace Community Church, as in any healthy church, this biblical model of shared leadership is essential. Yet among our elders, there is a distinction worth noting: some serve as lay elders, and others as staff elders (1 Timothy 5:17–18). Both are equally called and qualified according to the standards of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, yet they serve in different capacities.

Lay elders are men who shepherd faithfully while also maintaining their full-time occupations outside the church. They devote countless hours to prayer, oversight, discipleship, and decision-making, while still carrying the responsibilities of their vocations and families. Their ministry is a living testimony that shepherding is not reserved for a professional class but is the calling of qualified men raised up by God within the congregation.

Staff elders, on the other hand, are those whose full-time employment is in the ministry of the church (Galatians 6:6). They share the same qualifications, the same spiritual authority, and the same accountability as lay elders. However, their daily responsibilities are devoted entirely to shepherding the flock through teaching, counseling, leadership, and administration. Their lives are given fully to the care of God’s people.

Both lay elders and staff elders serve side by side in one unified body of leadership. This plurality ensures that no man stands alone in authority, but that together they discern the will of Christ for His church. The presence of staff elders, in particular, provides the church with men who can labor with undivided attention, devoting themselves to the Word of God and the ministry of prayer (Acts 6:4). Their constant presence strengthens the oversight of the church and provides stability and continuity in leadership.

For this reason, we give thanks to God for the staff elders He has graciously provided to Grace Church. They are a gift of Christ to His body, equipping the saints, guarding the truth, and shepherding the flock with diligence and love. We are deeply grateful for their faithful service, and above all, for the Chief Shepherd who has given them to us.

Our Staff Elders

Rodney Andersen is the director of our international outreach ministry, Grace Ministries International (GMI), and co-pastor of the Commissioned Fellowship Group.

Nathan Busenitz serves as the pastor of Grace Church staff and co-pastors the Cornerstone Fellowship Group.

Josiah Grauman pastors our Spanish ministry, Grace en Español.

Carl Hargrove pastors the Anchored Fellowship Group and serves as the director of Grace Advance.

Jay Lennington pastors our middle school ministry, Xchange, along with our children’s ministry, Grace Kids.

Rick McLean pastors Special Ministries and co-pastors the Joint Heirs Fellowship Group.

Brian Milam co-pastors Steadfast Fellowship Group and serves in Grace Ministries International.

Isaías Muñoz pastors our high school ministry, 180.

Tom Patton co-pastors the Joint Heirs Fellowship Group and serves in Grace Advance, congregational care, and the biblical counseling ministry.

Mike Riccardi co-pastors the Grace Life Fellowship Group and helps oversee the local outreach ministries.

Tom Rios co-pastors our Spanish ministry, Grace en Español.

Mark Zhakevich serves as Administrative Pastor and co-pastors the Cornerstone Fellowship Group.