Meet the Staff
Pastoral Staff
Dave Reno, Senior Pastor.
Dave helped start Grace Fellowship in 1987. He worked previously as a youth pastor and received his theological training from Bethel Seminary. He is an avid runner and has completed several marathons. Dave and his wife, Joy, have 3 children.
email: dreno@grace2you.org
Favorite TV Shows: Law & Order, ABC Nightly News, Night Line Favorite Movie: Shrek
Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle
Favorite Book of the Bible: Proverbs
Favorite Verse or Motto: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”. Proverbs 3:5-6
Sara VanHeel, Children’s PastorSara and her husband Les have been with Grace Fellowship since 1987. Sara joined the staff as Nursery coordinator in 1999 and as Women’s Ministry Director in 2002. Sara and Les have 4 girls ranging in age from 19 to 5. They love to hang out together as a family, watching LOST, playing games, canoeing, biking and maybe even some archery. They also love serving the Lord together at Grace Fellowship.email: svanheel@grace2you.orgFavorite Verse or Motto: Ephesians 3:16-21 “ …now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”
Favorite Book of the Bible: Ephesians
Favorite TV Shows: Monk, Law and Order, Lost, any decorating show
Favorite Movie: The Sound of Music, What A Girl Wants, Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Restaurant: Olive Garden, Enjoy China
Dave Mergens, Jr. High Ministries PastorDave grew up in Minnesota. He graduated Northwestern College in 2003 with a Christian Ed and Bible Degree. He has completed the graduate school of youth ministry through Youth Leadership. Dave will graduate from Bethel with his M.A. in 2008. In his free time Dave loves doing things outdoors with his wife such as: camping, biking, fishing, and other outdoor stuff. Dave loves to go hunting and participate in everything else you do outside in Minnesota.Email: email: dmergens@grace2you.orgFavorite TV shows: The Unit, NCIS, & any MN sporting events.
Favorite Movies: Gladiator, Hook, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Dumb and Dumber
Favorite Restaurants: Chipotle, The Sunshine Factory, Green Mill, Olive Garden, BWW
Favorite Book’s of the Bible: Psalms & 1 John
Life Verse: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Favorite Quote: “Why should I fear anything that cannot rob me of God, and why should I desire anything that cannot give me possession of Him?” -Thomas Merton
Josh Christenson, Sr. High Ministries PastorJosh Christenson came to Grace Fellowship after spending 4 years in full-time camp ministry at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near Rochester, MN. He also was part time youth pastor at a BGC church plant, Cedar Creek Church, in Hayfield, MN. Josh attended Rochester Community and Technical College for one year before transferring to Crown College, where he majored in History and Biblical Studies. He also participated in college athletics by playing basketball at both schools. He and his wife Daphne were married in 2005. Josh is a huge sports fan, and can be found loudly supporting his beloved Minnesota sports teams (go gophers!). He enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, as well as playing basketball and golf.email: jchristenson@grace2you.orgFavorite TV Shows: Pardon the Interruption, Sportscenter, Man vs. Wild, The Office, American Idol, and any sporting event (besides NASCAR).
Favorite Movies: Gladiator, Man on Fire, Fletch, Miracle, Dumb and Dumber, Kicking & Screaming
Favorite CD’s: “Fireproof” Pillar, “Beyond Measure” Jeremy Camp, “Beautiful Letdown” Switchfoot, “Phenomenon” Thousand Foot Krutch, and “And the Rest will Follow” Project 86.
Favorite Restaurants: Any Chinese Buffet, Outback Steakhouse
Favorite Book of the Bible: Romans
Favorite Verse: Daniel 3:17-18
Hobbies: Golf, basketball, watching movies, reading, listening to music, and going to sporting events.
Mark Miller, Music & Worship PastorMark earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management, and a Bachelor of Music, both at the University of Minnesota. He has also studied through the Christian Life School of Theology and Vineyard Bible Institute. Prior to Grace Fellowship, Mark served as Worship Arts Pastor at Coastal Community Vineyard Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. Mark has also served as a conference speaker, worship leader, songwriter (SOVEREIGN LORD, I DELIGHT IN YOU…) and producer for Vineyard Music Global (IF YOU SAY GO), and has written for Vineyard Music’s INSIDE WORSHIP magazine. He is an avid hiker and cross country ski racer and loves serving with his wife, Tammie, in worship ministry. They have four children: Jeremy, Josh, Jordan and Jenna.email: mmiller@grace2you.orgFavorite TV Shows: David Letterman, The History Channel, Outdoor Life Network
Favorite Movies: Braveheart, Forrest Gump
Favorite CD’s: anything by Chris Tomlin, Passion, Matt Redman, Vineyard U.K.
Favorite Restaurants: The Lighthouse (New Zealand), Rosti Pollo (Costa Rica), The Oceanic (Wilmington, NC), In and Out Burger (Anaheim, CA)
Favorite Book of the Bible: Philippians
Favorite Verse: “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)
Bruce Clapp, Pastor of Prayer, Fellowship and Prime Timers.Bruce attended GF’s first public service in 1987 and joined the GF staff in 1998. He is married to Carla and has two children and three grandchildren. He enjoys golf, playing catch, watching sports and traveling. He really enjoys growing in his faith with the people of Grace Fellowship.email: bclapp@grace2you.orgFavorite TV Shows: Sports of all kinds
Favorite Movies: West Side Story, Shawshank Redemption, Sebrina
Favorite Restaurant: Ruth Criss Steakhouse, Tony Roma’s
Favorite Book of the Bible: Ephesians
Favorite Verse or Motto: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
John Cordova, Pastor of Care and AdministrationJohn comes to Grace Fellowship with a rich background in ministry and business. He and his wife, Debbie, have been married since 1982 and have three daughters: Alicia, Jenna and Olivia. His passion is seeing changed lives, which fits well with the ministry of the Life Groups. He graduated from Colorado Christian University in 1978(B.B.E.). He, then, completed his pastoral studies from Denver Seminary in 1983(M.Div.). To help him understand the business side of ministry, he graduated from Bethel University with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in 2003 (M.A.O.L.).email: jcordova@grace2you.orgFavorite TV Shows: CSI: Miami and Survivor
Favorite Movies: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and The Blues Brothers
Favorite Restaurant: Qdoba
Favorite Book of the Bible: Ephesians
Favorite Verse or Motto: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for God, the living God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalms 42:1,2
Favorite Hobby: Reading and walking
Administrative Staff
Cathy Gardner, Bookkeeper
Cathy has a degree in business and spent twelve years at home raising her children before starting her position at Grace Fellowship. She enjoys teaching Sunday School, volunteering at her kids school, and she likes to read, sew, walk and ride bikes.
email: cgardner@grace2you.org
Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings (trilogy)
Favorite Restaurant: Olive Garden
Favorite Book of the Bible: Phillipians
Favorite Verse or Motto: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice”. Phillipians 4:4
Kris Jester, Office AssistantI started at Grace this past Dec (2007) and am loving it! I am married to an amazing man, Scott, and we have 2 precious girls. We’ve been attending Grace for about 6 years or so.email: kjester@grace2you.orgFavorite TV Shows: anything on HGTV or Food Network
Favorite Movies: Tommy Boy, Enchanted, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Favorite Restaurants: Noodles, Chipotle, and Muffelettas
Favorite Book of the Bible: Proverbs, James
Hobbies: Camping, Reading, Beading, Biking, and Playing UNO with the family!
Monti Ahrens, Women’s Ministry Director
Monti joined our team in the Spring of 2010
Val Smith, Office and Admin AssistantVal joined the staff at Grace Fellowship in the summer of 2006 after 26 years at Honeywell. She and her husband Gary have a blended family of 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Val enjoys traveling, camping, sewing, stamping, reading and being a part of the Grace Fellowship family to serve the Lord in whatever way He wants her to.email: vsmith@grace2you.orgFavorite TV Shows: Law & Order, CSI
Favorite Movies: Willow, Lord of the Rings (trilogy)
Favorite Restaurant: Daddy-O’s (Elk River)
Favorite Books of the Bible: John and Acts
Favorite Verse or Motto: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isa 43:2-3)
Aaron Cronen, Youth and Children’s Worship LeaderAaron joined the Grace family in September of 2007 after spending months on the road traveling with a youth and children’s outreach team. Before that Aaron spent a lot of time volunteering at church’s leading worship and discipleing youth. Aaron loves anything to do with music and the arts. Aarons favorite pastimes include going to concerts, visiting art museums, watching the Minnesota Twins, fishing, playing disc golf, and visiting California.email: acronen@grace2you.orgFavorite TV Shows: 24, Lost, American Idol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tailspin
Favorite Movies: Elf, Bourne Series, Lord of the Rings, Horror Films, Comedies
Favorite CD’s: David Crowder Remedy, anything Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and the Wailers….
Favorite Restaurants: Thistles, IN ‘N Out Burger, Granite City
Favorite Book of the Bible: Psalms, Mark
Favorite Verse: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all Your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all ways look to Him and He will make Your paths straight!
Hobbies: Learning new instruments, Disc Golf, Fishing, Table Tennis
Wayne Corrigan, Director of Missions & Compassion Ministries.Wayne and his wife Michelle started attending Grace Fellowship in 1996 and soon after became involved in the mission committee. Wayne chaired the committee for many years and in 2008 joined the Grace Fellowship staff. Wayne has spent over 30 years working in industry in various engineering, management, consulting, and training positions. He and Michelle have three adult married children, four grand children, and fourteen former high school exchange sons and daughters. Wayne enjoys traveling, meeting people from other cultures, sports, and reading.email: wcorrigan@grace2you.orgFavorite TV shows: sports, news, NCIS, Cold Case
Favorite Movies: Back to the Future
Favorite Restaurant: Sawadee
Favorite Book of the Bible: James
Favorite verse or motto: Matthew 14:28-29 “Lord if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come”, he said.