Leadership at Grace Fellowship Church

In Scripture, we find two distinct offices appointed to serve the church: ​Elders,who are responsible for the spiritual oversight and teaching ministry of the church, and Deacons, who are responsible for ministering to the physical needs of the church. We have also appointed two trustees, who among many other things, are faithful to keep the buildings and grounds maintained.

Both of these offices are equally vital to the spiritual and physical well-being of the church, and therefore each officer must meet the qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:1- 13 and Titus 1:5-9.

Rick Tarter

Pastor Rick Tarter
Pastor

Pastor Rick was called to pastor Grace Fellowship in December of 2018; and he and his wife, Deb arrived in Gladwin in March of 2019.  He put his faith in Christ to save Him when he was 17, and was called to the ministry soon after his conversion.  He has pastored in the Upper Penisula and in Florida, and is grateful to be back in Pure Michigan.  He and Deb have been blessed with 4 children and soon to be 15 grandchildren.  Though his glory days are long past, he still love

Brad Lower

Elder

Brad was born and raised in Gladwin and was grateful for his 34 year career of law enforcement in Gladwin County. It is hard to find someone in the county that he does not know.  He  and his wife, Jill, began attending Grace Fellowship in 2009. He was  saved by God’s grace as a teen-ager, and has been actively involved in various local churches, teaching or serving where needed, since his conversion.  Brad and  Jill  were married in 1972.   They have raised 3 girls, and  are blessed with 8 grand children (6 of them are right next door!). 

Andy Thomas

Andy Thomas
Elder

Andy was born and raised in Gladwin,  put his faith and trust in Christ alone to save him in 1997, and began attending Grace Fellowship in 1999.  Andy serves where needed, whether in the sound booth, in music or by teaching and preaching.  He met his wife and better half, Lynn when he was 20,  and thought it wise to never let her go.  They have been together ever since.  They have been blessed with two sons and two daughter-in-laws, who they consider daughters.

Jason Hunt

Jason Hunt
Deacon

Jason was introduced to Grace Fellowship in 1999 while working at a nearby summer camp ministry (The Springs).  It was at GFC where Jason first learned the doctrines of grace and was overwhelmed with the sovereignty of God revealed in Scripture. Jason and his wife, Jaime, reside in Harrison. They have been blessed with three children. He enjoys golfing, boating, and spending time with family and friends.

Don Maze

Don Maze
Deacon

Don has attended Grace Fellowship Church since 2009.  As a “semi-retired” auto mechanic who still works on cars and trucks in his garage, he has time to serve others in the church and the community.   He has been married to his wife Melissa for 10 years. Between them, they have 7 children, and 11 grandchildren.  When his hands are not in an engine, he loves to teach God’s Word,  spend time with his  children, grand children, and his church family.

Craig Gerbe

Craig Gerbe
Deacon

Craig and his wife Teri  Paradise were married in August 1987; and they have  been part of Grace Fellowship since 1997.  They are blessed with 3 children (who all graduated from Skeels Christian School) and 4, soon to be 5 grandchildren.  He has been grateful to be part of the deacon board, in order to serve where God would have him.    He works for Brown Machine Group in Beaverton; and when he has any leisure time, Craig likes to deer hunt, fish, golf, and play board games.

Dave Wright

Dave Wright
Deacon

Dave began attending Grace Fellowship in  1951.   He has been married to his bride, Debby since 1981.  He and Debby have  5 adult children, 8 grand children, and 5 great grandchildren (one, Elena is with the Lord). Though he has retired from Clare County Road Commission, he is still active in the community, serving as Township supervisor.  He enjoys spending time with his family and siblings and serving neighbors and friends when needed.

Frank Hilts

Frank Hilts
Trustee

Frank was raised in Gladwin County and has  been attending Grace Fellowship since 1997.  Now that He has retired and sold his plumbing and heating business, he has more time for his hobby of restoring old cars, and time to keep the water flowing and the sanctuary warm at GFC.   He and his wife Barbara have been married since 1961.   They have two children,  5 grand children, and 5 great grand children.

Ervin Ashby

Ervin Ashby
Trustee

Erv has been actively involved at Grace Fellowship since 2002.  He  has been retired from the medical field for many years; and has been married to his better half,  Donna,  since 1971. He has 2 children, 4 grand children,  and one  great grandchild.    Though he is no longer in the medical profession, he and his wife  use their medical experience  as  hospice volunteers.  When possible,  Erv likes to golf,  help where needed at the church, watch Hallmark movies with  Donna, and  fellowship with the body of Christ.