Grace Church Staff Senior Pastor click here for bio Eric Johnson Youth Pastor click here for bio Ardys Odegaarden Secretary click here for bio

Senior Pastor We are currently seeking God's direction for a Senior Pastor.  We will be sharing updates as they become available.

 

Senior Pastor click here for bio Eric Johnson Youth Pastor click here for bio Ardys Odegaarden Secretary click here for bio

Pastor Eric Johnson, Youth Pastor pastoreric@gracemesa.com   Pictured (left to right):  Eric and Megan Johnson Emmalia and Kaira Pastor Eric's great passions in life are Godly Leadership and Student Ministry.  Eric came to know Christ as his savior at a young age and was greatly impacted by the youth pastor at his home church in Racine, WI.  As he sought God's direction for his life it was very clear that he was to dedicate himself to ministry to students in some of the most critical and pivotal years of their lives.   Eric received his bachelor’s degree in youth ministry from Moody Bible Institute and is nearing completion of his Master’s of Ministry from Moody Graduate School.  Before coming to Grace, Eric served as the youth pastor in Minocqua and Washington Island, WI. Pastor Eric met his wife Megan while they were both in school and working at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.  They were married in 2005 and now have two beautiful daughters, Emmalia (2007) and Kaira (2009).    GENERAL INFO. FULL NAME:  Eric Johnson BORN WHEN AND WHERE:  June 22; Goodland, Kansas FAMILY STATS:  Wife:  Megan, Feb 1.  Daughters:  Emmalia, Sept 4, 2007                    Kaira, Nov 2, 2009 HOW I MET MY WIFE:  Through a friend at Moody Bible Institute.  I was fortunate enough to own a suit (ask her for the rest of the story).    HOW I BECAME A CHRISTIAN:  One night when I was six, after hearing about another person’s faith, I asked my parents how one can follow Christ like they did.  My father explained that you simply have to admit that you are a sinner and need a savior, and see Jesus (God incarnate) as that savior.  That night I did just that and became a loved child of God. FAVORITES MUSIC:  Christian rock & alternative; Rich Mullins, Newsboys, Caedmon’s Call WORSHIP SONG(s):  And Can It Be BOOK(s) OF THE BIBLE:  1&2 Timothy, Philippians, Psalms, Proverbs, etc. BIBLE CHARACTER:  I want to be like Cornelius (Acts 10) VERSE(s):  Psalm 1; Phil. 4:8; 2 Tim 2:2-3 WHEN I HAVE DEVOTIONS:  My favorite time is at dusk, but usually it ends up to be in the mornings WHAT I DO IN DEVOTIONS:  Read and try to understand how I can apply it, and also teach it; I also like to read older devotionals. AUTHORS:  A.W. Tozer, C.S. Lewis, Ravi Zacharias, Ken Davis, Doug Fields, BOOK(s):  Knowledge of the Holy; Mere Christianity;  Tale of Three Kings, [leadership topics] ACTOR/ACTRESS:  Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson RESTAURANT(s):  Red Robin, Culver’s, Olive Garden FOOD:  Pizza, Steak, Hamburgers, Ice cream HOLIDAY:  Halloween (I just like the fall weather, the candles, and the candy) HOW I SPEND MY FREE TIME:  Spending time with my wife and other people, Woodworking, Portrait / Wedding Photography; Camping, Martial Arts PRIZED POSSESSIONS:  My gorgeous wife and daughters BEST ADVICE I’VE RECEIVED:  You will spend the rest of your life becoming more like you already are WORST ADVICE I’VE RECEIVED:  It’s better to ask forgiveness then to ask permission. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO GRACE CHURCH:     It’s an honor to be serving here with so many people who love Christ with their lives. back to top

 

Senior Pastor click here for bio Eric Johnson Youth Pastor click here for bio Ardys Odegaarden Secretary click here for bio Carolyn Benninger Ministry Placement Coordinator click here for bio

Ardys Odegaarden, Secretary office@gracemesa.com Ardys was born in San Jose, CA and lived in many areas of CA while growing up.  Her family moved to Washington when she was a junior in high school.  She and her mother enjoyed many happy hours of horse back riding those next several years.  She met her husband Dick, by selling him a bottle of rubber cement while working in a stationary & book store (they have been glued together ever since!).  Their daughter was born in Richland and then they moved to Maryland when Dick was hired by the Atomic Energy Commission.  Their son was born four years later.  Ardys and Dick began using computers soon after they joined the Gideon International in the early 70s.  Ardys first began by helping the Gideon State Secretary enter the membership for the state.  Then Dick became State Secretary and Ardys continued to help him.  Ardys was working for the Automotive Trade Association for the National Capital Area when Dick retired and they moved to Mesa to be closer to Dick’s mother who was beginning to need help.  She lived with them for the next 12 years. In 1991 Ardys began preparing the monthly Gideon State Newsletter, which she still does.  She also has served as the State Gideon Auxiliary Secretary Treasurer several different times (a total of eight years).  When she first began, nothing had ever been done on the computer.  That was soon corrected. Recently Ardys was working for the Noah’s Ark Preschool & Kindergarten as Administrative Assistant.  But when Grace’s new office became available she had to choose between Noah’s Ark and Grace.  In her own words: "Thank you Grace for the fun job!"   GENERAL INFO. FULL NAME:  Ardys Colleen Odegaarden BORN WHEN AND WHERE:  August 10, in San Jose, CA FAMILY STATS:  Husband:  Dick; 2 Children; 4 Grandchildren HOW I MET MY HUSBAND:  Sold him a bottle of rubber cement. HOW I BECAME A CHRISTIAN:  Joined a Christian Youth Group in high school went to a Billy Graham Crusade. FAVORITES MUSIC:  Old Favorite Hymns and Classical WORSHIP SONG(s):  In the Garden BOOK(s) OF THE BIBLE:  Philippians, John, Psalms BIBLE CHARACTER:  Luke VERSE(s):  Psalm 100:1-3 and Psalm 106:1 WHEN I HAVE DEVOTIONS:  Before bed and before breakfast WHAT I DO IN DEVOTIONS:  Read the Bible and pray AUTHORS:  Zane Grey, Sandra Brown, John Grisham BOOK(s):  Westerns, historical novels, mysteries TV SHOW(s):  West Wing, Old Movies ACTOR/ACTRESS:  Jimmy Stewart RESTAURANT(s):  Mexican, Black Angus, P.F. Changs FOOD:  Steak, Mexican, Pizza, Chinese HOLIDAY:  Christmas HOW I SPEND MY FREE TIME:  Knitting, Crochet, Cross-stitching PRIZED POSSESSIONS:  Several antique family heirlooms, family photos IF I WEREN’T IN MINISTRY MY DREAM JOB WOULD BE:  Raising horses and art. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO GRACE CHURCH:   Thanks for the fun job! back to top

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