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OUR STAFF

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Nevin Gnagey
Teaching Pastor

Nevin has traveled an unconventional path to the pastorate. After graduating from Broadcast School in 1978, he began a career in radio and television that culminated with a television news administrative position in Waterloo, Iowa, in the 1990s

But a funny thing happened along the way. Nevin was saved in November of 1982, and embarked on a walk of faith that has included personal healing, some very painful growth, and the continuing monents of joy that only Jesus can give. Shortly after his conversion, he began to teach Sunday School classes and by the mid 1980s, Nevin was serving as a bi-vocational pastor in a small Christian church in the little town of Greentop, Missouri.

After the move to Waterloo, Nevin and his wife, Cheryl, became involved in a large Wesleyan church (Cedar Valley Community Church). In 1996, after deciding the call from God to full-time ministry was just too strong to remain in TV news, Nevin was added to the staff of Cedar Valley as the paster of evangelism.

In 1998, Nevin moved his wife and three children to Jonesboro, Arkansas to assist Pastor David Burgess in building Community Fellowship Church. In May of 2003, Grace Community Church was born, and Pastor Nevin was called into a role of leadership.

Nevin’s philosophy has always been fairly simple. The church’s call is to people and its role is to encourage and guide people into deeper, more meaningful relationships with God. God’s plan for His children is encouraging, and is found in Jeremiah 29:11, 13, 14: “For I know the plans I have for You”, says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope...if you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.  I will be found by you.” says the Lord.

Email Nevin at pastornevin@gccworship.com.

 

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Steve Ray
Youth Pastor

Hi. I am Steve Ray, the youth pastor at Grace Community Church. I have been active in youth ministry for several years.  I was born to Christian parents, in Paducah, Ky.  This may explain why I am such an avid Kentucky Wildcat fan. Its been rumored that if you were to cut me, I would bleed blue. I am happily married to my wife, Linda, and we have three wonderful children: Joshua, Madison, and Ryan.

I discovered long ago I had a desire to be a youth pastor. I first began as a youth director at a small Missionary Baptist church were I also served as the minister of music. I asked God many times, "What do you have planned for me?  I just want to be a youth pastor." But, His answer always seemed to be, "Not now."  God spent many years molding me and teaching me to be what He wanted.  Now, by Gods' awesome grace, I have been afforded the opportunity to serve our Lord as youth pastor here at Grace Community Church.  I have very strong passion for youth and what they go through and face in their daily walk with Christ.  I heard a youth speaker once say, "I don't want to be a lighthouse on wheels, shining into each youth's life to search the deep dark corners to expose their sins, I long to be a lighthouse on a rock, consistently beaming light in the same direction, so as they go through their daily lives they have a consistent point to look to, a predictable beacon of light as a reference point."  Yes, that's what I would like to be. A lighthouse built on a rock and that rock being Jesus Christ.

I pray that our youth may develop a closer walk and a stronger relationship with Jesus, our Savior.  And as they apply scripture to their lives, we have hope that our teens will see that God wants to be involved in every part of their lives.  I ask you to keep our youth in your daily prayers; it is through your prayers that God will continue to work in the lives of our youth.  Our youth are indeed the future of Grace Community Church.

Some interesting facts about Pastor Steve:

  • He has a very low percentage of hearing in his left ear. (So remember, always try and talk to him on his right side. That is, if you want him to hear you!)

  • He loves to sing.

  • He thinks there is no other college basketball team except the Kentucky Wildcats.

  • His son, Josh, is eleven inches taller than he is.

  • His favorite color is..... what else? Blue.

  • He is on a diet!????!!???

  • His favorite food is.... whatever his wife Linda cooks, and steak.

  • He has one brother, named Kelly.  Kelly works in Vietnam and lives in Hawaii.

  • His favorite Bible character is David.

  • His favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

  • His door is always open for any youth.... anytime!

Email Steve at pastorsteve@gccworship.com.