Our staff is here to serve, so let us know how we can help!

Michael Sieber

I was raised in the North Houston area and trusted in Christ as a high school senior on a youth group ski trip.

After graduating from Baylor University, I spent 4 years as a business consultant with Accenture and 3 years as a full-time youth pastor while attending Dallas Theological Seminary part-time. From there, I worked for 15 years in progressive leadership roles in the medical device industry. In 2017, I answered the call to vocational ministry taking on the role of Vice President of Church and Ministry Partnerships with World Vision.

I have been happily married to my amazingly talented, beautiful, and patient wife, Jennifer, since 2001. We have three awesome kids, Grace, Brock, and Cullen.

My greatest passion is sharing the Gospel with a lost, broken, and dying world. I am also passionate about helping unlock and unleash people’s superpowers, hiking, camping, swimming, boating, eating queso, and basically doing anything outdoors with family and friends.

I joined the Grace staff in 2021 and oversee all of our ministry staff. My deep hope is that we would fully live out our mission of being and making disciples for the glory of God.

Kirk Hudson

I grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. My parents were so kind to send me to camp when I was young, and that is where I was introduced to Jesus. I began to grow in my understanding of who Jesus was and is in my life, and I am thankful to my parents who pointed me to Jesus at an early age.

I am married to Kelly, and we have four children of our own, Kalloway, who is married to Bobby, Konner, Kory, and Karoline. We also have two international students from China, Bevin and Henry, who we call our sons.

I joined the Grace staff in January of 2017, and it is my joy to oversee the resources of our organization. God is generous and kind, and He provides generously what is needed to be used to bring Him Glory!

Grace Community Church and Grace Community School have a tremendous influence in the local community, in East Texas, and internationally because of God’s generosity. I pray that we as His children and as a body of believers are generous with our lives to be disciples who make disciples.

Keziah Sanchez

Lewis Pollard

I was born in Augusta, Georgia, and grew up in Clearwater, South Carolina. I benefitted greatly from the local church’s volunteers in children’s and student ministries, and I had two Godly grandmothers who modeled their faith well. At the age of fifteen, I placed my faith in Jesus.

I have had the honor of being married to Erin since January 1, 2000. We are the parents of Isaac, Karis, Elijah, Ellee, Samuel, and Korbyn.

I joined the Grace staff in August of 2015, and I desire to continue to steward well the opportunity that I get to serve alongside the body of believers and our staff team at Grace Community Church in Lindale.

Matt Ravanesi

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and started following Jesus after I attended a Young Life camp. After graduating from Texas Christian University, I felt called to ministry with high school students and served 7 years on staff with Young Life in Dallas.

I met my wife, Jennie, and we spent the first four years of our marriage working at a Sky Ranch property near Lake City, Colorado, before coming on staff with Grace. We have two daughters, Lizzie and Sophie. We have a heart for foster care and have had numerous foster placements in our home.

I joined the Grace staff in October of 2014, and my hope is for others to experience a deep relationship with Jesus and share the hope they have in Christ with others.

Kyle Smith

I grew up in East Texas and am happy to be back home after adventuring around the country. My parents, along with other faithful people, modeled the love of Jesus to me throughout my childhood. I understood and accepted Jesus as my Savior while reading a devotional for teens while eating breakfast during junior high. It was oatmeal, dry toast, and orange juice.

I’m married to my favorite person in the world, Kristy. Our kids, Wyatt and Mae, are the coolest.

I joined the Grace staff in January of 2013, and I desire for the people of Grace to see and know Jesus more through worship and the arts. I pray that this would compel us to live worshipful lives and show the hope of Jesus to the world around us.

Scott Wilson

I grew up in Chandler, Arizona. I am married to Shari, and we have raised six children.

I have been a part of the ministry team at Grace Community for many years. I started in 1991 as the Student Ministries Pastor. In 2004, we moved to the St. Louis area to launch and pastor a church that was starting a multi-site ministry. In 2016, we moved back to Tyler, and I began working on the Grace Community School side of the ministry team as the Director of Spiritual Formation. In my current role, I’m serving as the Pastor of Discipleship with a focus on small groups and men’s ministry across all of our campuses.

My deep hope is for everyone at Grace to be intentional about participating in the discipleship journey.

Debra Kirby

I grew up in the DFW metroplex in a single-parent home where we regularly attended church, but I felt like God was far-off and unconcerned with humanity. On the outside, I was a girl who tried to be morally good, but I sought my value in dating relationships and found my purpose in performance. Because God loves me, He allowed my heart to be broken in my twenties, helping me realize that my sin separated me from Him and that He wanted to be present in my life. His unconditional love gave me a new identity and purpose in life.

I met my wonderful husband, Bill, on a blind date on the steps of Grace Lindale. How’s that for a divine relationship? We have two amazing daughters, Emma and Sophie, who love crafting, nature, and all sorts of animals, so it’s little chaotic at home but always fun.

I joined the Grace staff in 2014 and feel like I have the perfect job. I get to encourage women to take the next step in their spiritual journey using God’s Word as our guide. It’s hard to love someone you don’t know. My hope is that women would really know what God is like, His ways and His love for us, and by doing so, find true contentment and purpose in life.

Keisha Yarbrough

I grew up in Lindale, Texas, and I’m a proud wife to Charlie Yarbrough, also an East Texas native. We have three wonderful children, Julianne, Charlie Cale, and Bayleigh. We have been members of Grace Community Church since 2011, and I have had the pleasure of volunteering with special needs kids since 2012. I enjoy being outdoors, exercising, reading, and sharing Jesus with everyone I can.

I came to know Christ at the age of 23 during a book study with some friends. In 2015, I obtained my nursing degree from Tyler Junior College. I continued to work at our local hospital as a neuro-nurse until 2019, going part-time when I began my journey working for Lindale Independent School District. I obtained a certification in special needs through continuing education classes. The Special Needs Certificate recognizes professionals dedicated to promoting quality care in the field of special needs.

I joined the Grace team in 2021, and my hope and prayer for JOY Ministries is to come alongside families with special needs to love and serve not only the kids but their parents as well.

Lauren Sarter

I was raised a city-girl in my hometown of Plano but have grown to love the tall pine trees, rolling hills, terrible drivers, & friendly hospitality that only East Texas has to offer. I’m a proud Oklahoma State University grad & a Sky Ranch alumna!

I’m passionate about student ministry because of the incredible role that discipleship played in my own life. I truly began my walk with the Lord as a freshman in high school due to the impact of CRU, a ministry on my campus. After the radical change that discipleship had on my life, I now hope to help students understand the life-changing power of God’s word.

I joined the Grace staff in August of 2019, and my desire is to allow students to see the ways that God is uniquely equipping each of them to build the Kingdom through relationships, just like Christ did. I believe that obedience is a worthy and refining process that becomes even more possible in the context of community, like GSM!

Kara Miller

I grew up in a small town outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, called Mannford. I grew up going to church and was baptized at the age of 8. I can tell you that I didn’t fully comprehend what a relationship with the Lord looked like until later in life, but I have always known the love of Jesus. I was raised in a home where my parents were always serving within the church, and to see my dad studying the Bible before anyone was awake was an everyday occurrence. It wasn’t until I was older that I really understood that a relationship with the Lord is an intimate one, and that it’s exactly that, a relationship. The more intentional you are with a relationship, the deeper it grows.

I was the kid that went to school so that l could play sports. I played softball my whole life, and after high school, I went on to pitch two years at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!) and catch two years at The University of Central Oklahoma (Go Bronchos!).  I then assisted at the University of Central Oklahoma for two years before getting married to Eric Miller.

Our story is fun, and I love to tell it because you can see how the Lord’s pieces played out, but the bullet points are: went to high school together, never dated, reconnected years later while he was on leave – he was in the marine corp in AZ, and I was in OK playing ball – saw each other a handful of times and got married on a Monday at noon at the Oklahoma City courthouse. For me, it was perfect. We were able to live together as a married couple for a couple of months, and then he deployed for the final time. We have a lot of story in between then and now, but along the way, we were blessed with three amazing boys, Heath, Ryan, and Blake. My happy place is at home with all my guys.

I joined the Grace staff in February of 2021, and my deep hope is that every Sunday these precious kiddos walk away knowing that they are loved, wanted, and chosen. I pray that they know the love of Jesus and that He loves to hear their voices.

Katie Rapp

Even though I was born in Kentucky, I have lived in a few different places. I lived in Ohio around a huge extended family for the first 11 years of my life. After that, we lived in Tennessee for a few years and then made our way to Texas.

I became a Christian at a young age after attending Vacation Bible School. Before that time, my family had never gone to church. I wouldn’t say it was that moment in which I really came to understand grace or the depth of how much Jesus loved me. That was much later when I was 24 years old through a tragedy in my family.

I am married to Brian Rapp, and we have 5 kids, Jialing, Judah, Claire, Reagan, and Alice.

I joined the Grace Staff in 2016 as a part-time kids community worker, and shortly thereafter became the Lindale Grace K!DS Community Coordinator. My deep hope for my area of ministry is to be intentional and faithful with who God puts in front of me, be that kids, parents, or social media followers.

Molly Pontius

I spent the first 23 years of my life in the beautiful state of Washington. I grew up with two sisters, and we had an idyllic childhood until our parents divorced. That was a very dramatic and sad time in my life, but it set me up in a unique way to see my brokenness and my need for Jesus.

I have a big energetic family! I’m married to Steve, and it has been the joy of our lives to raise 5 children, Tyler, Landon, Dillon, Michaela, and Reilly. We live in the forest with our two dogs, Klondike and Huckleberry.

I joined the Grace staff in 2012, and it is my deep conviction that Jesus is the answer – for everything! That fuels my desire to make that known to the kids and families who I have the privilege of walking life with each day. I want kids to know that God loves them fiercely and is worthy of their surrender and lifelong pursuit. Likewise, I love equipping parents to be intentional as they model what a Christ follower looks like for their kids.

Deepak John

Heather Simonds

I grew up in Tyler, Texas, with my mom and sisters. My parents divorced when I was young, and my dad lived in Saudi Arabia, so I only saw him once a year. I was not raised in church but did have strong Christian influences in my life and began attending a church youth group with a neighborhood friend. I accepted Christ as my Savior the summer after my 7th grade year at youth camp after learning of His unconditional love for me.

My husband, Chip, and I were married in 2001, and we have two kids, Ellie and Grayson.

I joined the Grace Staff in August of 2009 as the Girls Ministry Director and transitioned to my current role of Director of Staff Care and Engagement in September of 2020. I am also working toward my Master of Science in Mental Health & Wellness.

I am passionate about leading efforts to nurture culture and staff engagement along with people development. I also have the honor of leading the spiritual formation of the Grace Early Education team. My heart’s beat is to be a pursuer of people just as God has so passionately pursued me!

John Ray Morales

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I grew up going to church, and at the age of 11, I experienced God’s saving grace and became a disciple of Jesus. Soon after, while on a mission trip, I felt God calling me to use my artistic gifts to share Jesus. Music and children’s ministry work have given me the opportunity to visit and serve in 25 countries so far.

I have a Masters Degree in Strategic Communications and am thankful to God for the  opportunities He’s given me to put that to use to impact His kingdom.

I’m married to Tania, and we have four children. Meet “The AJ’s”, Aslan, Abriana, Aidan and Ander. We’ve lived in Tyler since 2013.

I joined the Grace Community Church Communications Team in February of 2021, and my deep hope is that God will use the creative and strategic content we share through all our communications media to bring people closer to Jesus.

Ryan Peterson

I grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and found Jesus and was baptized when I was 11 years old.

We moved to Tyler in 2009 when I became Sports Director at KLTV-7. I was a sportscaster for 12 years, and I left broadcasting in 2015.

I married my wife Melissa in 2008, and we have two daughters, Isabella (Izzy) and Daniella. We began going to Grace Community Church in 2011 when Tyler really became our home.

I joined the Grace staff in February of 2021, and my passion is meeting new people and hearing their stories. My deep hope is that our videos and communication projects will glorify God and bring hope to those hurting and needing the hope of Jesus.

Gerry Deese

I grew up in a non-Christian home in Tacoma, Washington, and my future husband, Wayne, led me to the Lord. We have two grown boys, Seth and Brian.

I joined the Grace staff in June of 1998, and my hope is to help staff understand and use the benefits that Grace provides them.

Jon Davie Osteen

I was born in Texas and raised for a few years in Saudi Arabia before we made our way back to Texas.  I grew up in the church and have been in a ministry-supporting role all my life.

I married Robin in December of 1999, and we have six children: Sarah, Haven, Rachel, Israel, Samuel, and Jeremiah      .

I joined the Grace staff in August of 2007, and my deep hope is that we would exemplify Stephen in Acts 6.

Ezra Sanchez

Biography coming soon

Michele Toon

I was born and raised in the great state of Texas, and I grew up in San Antonio. My parents were always faithful in taking us to the Baptist church, and I knew something was missing in my life, and it was Christ. At the age of nine, I decided to follow Him, and I have been on that journey ever since.

After graduating from Howard Payne University with a B.B.A. degree, I went on to work in banking and insurance. I  met my wonderful loving husband, Jason, in a singles group at a church in Arlington, Texas, while I was working on my Masters degree. We married in 1995. We now have two beautiful, awesome children, Logan and Sydney. They inspire me and are my pride and joy.

I actually started working for Grace as a Children’s Coordinator back in late 2004 when we helped start Grace Lindale. I worked on staff for several years and then decided to be a stay-at-home mom. I returned on Grace staff in 2019 as the Administrative Assistant for our campus.

My deep hope for Grace Lindale is for people to feel loved, welcomed, and accepted when they come here and for their relationship with the Lord to be enriched.

Anne Selin

I grew up in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York in a devout Roman Catholic family and was educated in Catholic schools. My parents would gather their six children in the evening to pray together — a solid faith foundation for which I am grateful.

As an adult, I shifted attendance primarily to non-denominational, Bible-based churches. I give credit to Jody, Natasha, and Natalie for being the sweet representation of Jesus as friend, forgiver, and redeemer. They each played an important role in my faith journey while in Orlando, Florida.

My husband, Roger, and I have two adult daughters (adopted at ages 9 and 11). Roger, also from a family of six siblings, hails from Chicago and is a diehard Chicago Cubs fan. He is an accountant by trade. We are passionate about international student exchange, travel, and organ donation, and we adore our rescue dogs and three random cats who have shown up over the years. We have never professed to be cat people, but the cats had other ideas!

My family attends the Old Jacksonville Campus. We have many stories of the trust placed in our amazing God, including how our family arrived in Tyler in 2020 and how a unique career search led me to Grace Community.

I joined the Grace team in June of 2022. It is my deep hope and prayer that the ministry of human resources will serve all Grace Community staff in such a meaningful and loving way that they will experience support in their God-given roles, refinement and development to contribute to the best of their ability, and opportunities to lead others through discipleship.

Amanda Johnson

I grew up in Houston and was raised in the Catholic church. We attended religiously, and I went through all of the steps of the church: baptism, first communion, and confirmation. In high school, I joined my best friend at the Baptist church and my boyfriend at the Pentecostal church while still attending the Catholic church with my family (I promise this isn’t the start of a terrible joke). It was at that time that I started contemplating different elements of each church and thinking about my personal walk with Christ.

It wasn’t until after college (Gig ‘em Aggies!) that I started to search for a church home and really investigate my relationship with God. For a long time, I felt like I wasn’t a “good enough Christian” because I didn’t have any Bible verses memorized and didn’t know the order of the books of the Bible. I let that hold me back for quite some time.

Then, someone I highly respected personally and spiritually asked me to lead a Bible study because she knew I “loved the Lord” and that was the only reason! After quickly responding “NO! ARE YOU CRAZY?!” I apologized and thought maybe there is a reason I’m being asked. Even though I was shocked and completely unsure of what I had to offer, I took on the challenge. I have grown so much since then, and I love digging into the Word with women every week and could not imagine my life without it.

In February of 2020, my husband, Chris, got a job in Tyler, so we moved here with our kids, Case & Avery. We didn’t know a soul in East Texas, so I joined a women’s Bible study at Grace (a church I had found on Google). I was never a good student growing up, but participating in women’s Bible studies made me crave the Word and crave the Lord’s presence in my life.

I joined the Grace staff in the summer of 2022 and like to call myself the social director of Grace Lindale. I love welcoming guests and finding ways to get them connected. As adults, it can be so difficult to go someplace new and feel welcome. My hope is that I can make the process a little easier and offer a friendly face as guests come into the building and get settled into a potential church home.

Dalton Baker

I was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From a young age, my family attended church regularly. In my junior year of high school, I was challenged to make my faith my own. During this time, I went on a mission trip to Los Angeles where I realized that I needed to place my faith in Jesus. During college, I deepened my faith through community. This process had its ups and downs, but it was necessary in my faith journey.

I married my wife, Sarah, in June of 2020 after we graduated from John Brown University. We have two cats, Cowboy and Boots, that we treat as our children.

I joined the Grace team in January of 2023, and my hope is that students will come to know the love of God through Grace Student Ministry and will be equipped to show God’s love to the world as they launch into the next stage of their lives.

Brittney Hood

I grew up in Tyler in a Christian home. My parents poured their lives into helping and fostering children from difficult home lives, and I learned from an early age what it looks like to give generously of all that we have to open our homes and our lives to others. I became a believer at the age of 7, and as a high school student, God brought people into my life who helped disciple me in my faith. I grew to better understand what it meant to make Jesus Lord of my life. It has been a journey ever since learning to abide in Jesus, trusting and following Him.

I met my husband, Trenton, while attending Baylor University. After many years in Waco, we moved back to East Texas with our three children, Ethan, Emmy, and Truett. We have really enjoyed living closer to both of our families. We love spending time together as a family and with friends, playing games, and going on adventures.

I joined the Grace team in December of 2019 as Women’s Ministry Coordinator for our Tyler campuses and started working full-time in 2020 as I joined the Executive Admin Team as Assistant to the Senior Pastor.

I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to be a part of the Grace team! I love being around people, and it’s a calling and a joy to serve alongside our staff. My deep hope is that we will generously and intentionally pour out our lives to help people feel known, loved, and seen by the Lord.

Janna Mans

I grew up in Louisiana with a super awesome family who shared the love of Christ with me throughout my life! They helped me grow in knowledge and understanding of who God is until I eventually became a follower of Christ.

My husband, Josh, and I met at Sky Ranch in 2019 and moved to Lindale for him to work full time at Sky Ranch in 2022.

I joined Grace staff in January of 2023, and my deep hope for Grace is to see the community continue to be welcomed in and discipled by the local church.