One Heart, Many Voices
At Grace Church, teaching is not carried by a single voice. It is shared by a community of teachers—women and men who bring different experiences, callings, and perspectives to the work of opening Scripture together.
This approach reflects something we deeply value: that wisdom grows in community. Each teacher approaches the text with care, humility, and a desire to help our church listen well to the story of God and the life it calls us into. While their voices and backgrounds are varied, they share a common commitment—to teach faithfully, to ask good questions, and to help our community grow in understanding and practice.
This approach reflects something we deeply value: that wisdom grows in community. Each teacher approaches the text with care, humility, and a desire to help our church listen well to the story of God and the life it calls us into. While their voices and backgrounds are varied, they share a common commitment—to teach faithfully, to ask good questions, and to help our community grow in understanding and practice.
Unique Perspectives and Universal Truths
Together, this team helps shape the teaching rhythms and series that guide our church through Scripture. What you’ll find here are the people who steward that work—each bringing their own story, perspective, and love for the Bible to the shared life of Grace Church.
Meet the team.
As the lead pastor of Grace, Pastor Gary Franklin serves as the leader of the teaching team. But each of the voices from this team bring a richness and beautiful diversity to the perspectives from which our church family is led. Read more about each member of the team below and get to know the teaching voices of the Grace community.
Eric Flintoff
Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Eric serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Grace and brings both theological depth and a collaborative spirit to the teaching team. He first discovered his love for teaching Scripture back in middle school, when he realized how much joy he found in helping others see the Bible connect with their lives.
Over time, Eric’s approach to faith has shifted from a search for certainty toward what he calls a “grace-filled curiosity,” paired with a growing love for the larger story of Scripture. When he teaches, his hope is simple: that people leave breathing a little deeper in the unfailing love and endless grace of God, and begin to see how the way of Jesus takes shape in everyday life.
Outside of church life, Eric enjoys time with his wife and three children, long walks through the woods with his dogs, working out, cheering on Manchester City, and putting a good vinyl record on the turntable. He’s especially grateful to be part of a church that takes Jesus seriously without taking itself too seriously.
Over time, Eric’s approach to faith has shifted from a search for certainty toward what he calls a “grace-filled curiosity,” paired with a growing love for the larger story of Scripture. When he teaches, his hope is simple: that people leave breathing a little deeper in the unfailing love and endless grace of God, and begin to see how the way of Jesus takes shape in everyday life.
Outside of church life, Eric enjoys time with his wife and three children, long walks through the woods with his dogs, working out, cheering on Manchester City, and putting a good vinyl record on the turntable. He’s especially grateful to be part of a church that takes Jesus seriously without taking itself too seriously.
Kem Williams
Pastor of Mission
Kem Williams serves as Pastor of Missions at Grace and brings a deep passion for helping people live out their faith beyond the walls of the church. She is especially attentive to how each message connects to real opportunities for mission—“here, there, and everywhere”—equipping people to follow Jesus in everyday life.
Kem is drawn to walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, often sharing from her own story of transformation and the hope, purpose, and joy she has found in Christ. When she teaches, her hope is that people leave with a strong sense that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved by God—and that they belong in His story.
Her approach to Scripture is shaped by a posture of faithful presence, slowing down to love others well and create space where people feel welcomed and known.
Outside of church life, Kem enjoys time with her family and two grandbabies, gardening, listening to podcasts while mowing the lawn, and any chance to be at the beach with a good book and an umbrella.
Kem is drawn to walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, often sharing from her own story of transformation and the hope, purpose, and joy she has found in Christ. When she teaches, her hope is that people leave with a strong sense that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved by God—and that they belong in His story.
Her approach to Scripture is shaped by a posture of faithful presence, slowing down to love others well and create space where people feel welcomed and known.
Outside of church life, Kem enjoys time with her family and two grandbabies, gardening, listening to podcasts while mowing the lawn, and any chance to be at the beach with a good book and an umbrella.
Matt Benson
Elder
Matt brings a thoughtful theological perspective to the teaching team, along with a long-standing desire to help others grow in their faith. Since his teenage years, he has been drawn to helping people understand Scripture and consider how it might shape the way they live.
When Matt teaches, his hope is that it sparks a deeper conversation with the Lord and invites people to stay curious about God and the world He has made. A guiding perspective for him is the humble recognition that while our ideas about God may sometimes be accurate and sometimes incomplete, they are always partial—inviting us to keep seeking and learning.
Outside of teaching, Matt spends much of his time walking alongside leaders as they pursue more integrated Kingdom lives. He and his family are also enjoying the season of watching their kids step into early adulthood. He’s also quick to admit a simple love of food—so much so that he jokes he spends much of the day thinking about what’s for dinner.
He values the shared teaching team because Scripture is always read through the lens of lived experience, and listening to others continually deepens his understanding of God and His Word.
When Matt teaches, his hope is that it sparks a deeper conversation with the Lord and invites people to stay curious about God and the world He has made. A guiding perspective for him is the humble recognition that while our ideas about God may sometimes be accurate and sometimes incomplete, they are always partial—inviting us to keep seeking and learning.
Outside of teaching, Matt spends much of his time walking alongside leaders as they pursue more integrated Kingdom lives. He and his family are also enjoying the season of watching their kids step into early adulthood. He’s also quick to admit a simple love of food—so much so that he jokes he spends much of the day thinking about what’s for dinner.
He values the shared teaching team because Scripture is always read through the lens of lived experience, and listening to others continually deepens his understanding of God and His Word.
Gabe Hoffman
Elder
Gabe brings a thoughtful, curious energy to the teaching team, often helping push ideas further and explore what might be possible. With an engineer’s mindset, he enjoys bringing clarity, honesty, and a bit of tension to conversations—believing that’s often where deeper understanding begins.
Teaching Scripture has always been part of Gabe’s life. Growing up in a family where faith was lived and discussed across generations, he developed an early love for wrestling with the Bible and helping others engage with it. When he teaches, his goal is simple: to open Scripture and get out of the way, trusting that what God has to say is far more compelling than anything he could add.
Outside of church life, Gabe enjoys building things, exploring new ideas (especially with AI), and spending time with his wife Marci and their four kids. He also has a well-known appreciation for anything sweet.
He values the shared teaching team as a place where different perspectives sharpen one another, creating a kind of healthy tension that leads to greater clarity and depth.
Teaching Scripture has always been part of Gabe’s life. Growing up in a family where faith was lived and discussed across generations, he developed an early love for wrestling with the Bible and helping others engage with it. When he teaches, his goal is simple: to open Scripture and get out of the way, trusting that what God has to say is far more compelling than anything he could add.
Outside of church life, Gabe enjoys building things, exploring new ideas (especially with AI), and spending time with his wife Marci and their four kids. He also has a well-known appreciation for anything sweet.
He values the shared teaching team as a place where different perspectives sharpen one another, creating a kind of healthy tension that leads to greater clarity and depth.
Fiona Thiessen
Fiona approaches Scripture with a deep love for story, imagination, and the many ways God reveals Himself through it. She often describes the teaching team like an orchestra—each voice adding a different tone and perspective so the church can hear a fuller expression of who God is.
Her passion for teaching flows from a simple desire: that people would encounter God for themselves and discover just how deeply He cares for them. Fiona is especially interested in how faith becomes embodied and lived out in everyday life, beyond ideas alone.
Life outside of church is full and adventurous. Fiona and her family run several small businesses together, including beekeeping and selling raw local honey, and she loves time outdoors hiking, swimming, or simply contemplating creation. She is rarely far from a thermos of tea and is constantly devouring books and podcasts that help her explore the vastness of God.
Her passion for teaching flows from a simple desire: that people would encounter God for themselves and discover just how deeply He cares for them. Fiona is especially interested in how faith becomes embodied and lived out in everyday life, beyond ideas alone.
Life outside of church is full and adventurous. Fiona and her family run several small businesses together, including beekeeping and selling raw local honey, and she loves time outdoors hiking, swimming, or simply contemplating creation. She is rarely far from a thermos of tea and is constantly devouring books and podcasts that help her explore the vastness of God.
Whitney Drake
Whitney brings a thoughtful, reflective approach to teaching, often spending long stretches of time sitting with a passage of Scripture and asking how the Spirit might shape both understanding and daily life through it. She first discovered a love for deep Bible study in college, and ever since has been drawn to the richness of a text that can reveal new insights year after year.
Whitney hopes that when she teaches, Scripture feels both approachable and alive—something that speaks directly into the ordinary moments of life. She has spent many years leading Bible studies and writing devotionals, and she continues to be amazed by how God speaks through the same passage in fresh ways to different people.
She works with HOPE International, supporting efforts that invest in families in underserved communities around the world. At home, Whitney and her husband Jacob stay busy with their four children, and whenever she finds a free moment, she prefers to spend it outside—ideally with a really good baked good in hand.
Whitney hopes that when she teaches, Scripture feels both approachable and alive—something that speaks directly into the ordinary moments of life. She has spent many years leading Bible studies and writing devotionals, and she continues to be amazed by how God speaks through the same passage in fresh ways to different people.
She works with HOPE International, supporting efforts that invest in families in underserved communities around the world. At home, Whitney and her husband Jacob stay busy with their four children, and whenever she finds a free moment, she prefers to spend it outside—ideally with a really good baked good in hand.
Sharon Townsend
Sharon brings a prayerful, attentive presence to the teaching team, often helping the church slow down and listen for what God may be stirring beneath the surface. She loves the moment when a familiar passage of Scripture opens in a new way and awakens a sense of wonder about who God is.
Her hope when she teaches is simple: that people would sense the deep love and desire God has for them. Sharon is drawn to a posture of curiosity, believing that relationship with God matters far more than simply gathering information about Him.
Outside of church life, Sharon shares life with her husband Brent and their four children. She enjoys time outdoors, lavender lattes, and what she describes as “the perfect turn of phrase.” A quiet poet at heart, she is especially grateful to be part of a church that honors God, trusts His Word, and loves His people.
Her hope when she teaches is simple: that people would sense the deep love and desire God has for them. Sharon is drawn to a posture of curiosity, believing that relationship with God matters far more than simply gathering information about Him.
Outside of church life, Sharon shares life with her husband Brent and their four children. She enjoys time outdoors, lavender lattes, and what she describes as “the perfect turn of phrase.” A quiet poet at heart, she is especially grateful to be part of a church that honors God, trusts His Word, and loves His people.
Jonathan Thiessen
Jonathan brings a global perspective to the teaching team, shaped by more than fifteen years of cross-cultural living and a deep interest in how faith intersects with everyday life and work. He is particularly passionate about helping people see that the so-called “ordinary” parts of life—our work, creativity, and relationships—are deeply connected to God’s purposes in the world.
Jonathan is drawn to big questions about flourishing, culture, and how followers of Jesus from different parts of the world can learn from one another. His entrepreneurial spirit shows up not only in teaching but also in his work launching businesses and exploring new ways the global church can collaborate.
Outside of church life, Jonathan enjoys history, scuba diving, and working with bees. He values the shared teaching model because it sharpens ideas, expands perspective, and allows wisdom to emerge through thoughtful conversation.
Jonathan is drawn to big questions about flourishing, culture, and how followers of Jesus from different parts of the world can learn from one another. His entrepreneurial spirit shows up not only in teaching but also in his work launching businesses and exploring new ways the global church can collaborate.
Outside of church life, Jonathan enjoys history, scuba diving, and working with bees. He values the shared teaching model because it sharpens ideas, expands perspective, and allows wisdom to emerge through thoughtful conversation.
Sara Storck
Sara brings a thoughtful, steady presence to the teaching team, shaped by years of listening, learning, and slowly discerning her role in teaching Scripture. What began as a quiet curiosity—wondering if teaching might be part of her story—has grown into a deep love for the great story of God revealed through Scripture.
When Sara teaches, she hopes people leave with a real sense of God’s work in their lives—drawing them closer to Him, reminding them of the deep love and grace of Jesus, and offering tangible ways to walk with the Spirit in everyday life. She often returns to a simple guiding question: What would Jesus say to us right now—and how would He say it? That question shapes her desire to teach with the same love, patience, and authenticity she believes Jesus would bring.
Outside of church life, Sara works in innovation at Chick-fil-A and enjoys time with her husband David and their two sons. She loves reading, tackling projects at home, and unhurried mornings over coffee together. She values the shared teaching team for both the depth of insight and the genuine camaraderie it creates, and is grateful to be part of a church that thinks deeply about Jesus and seeks to embody His ways.
When Sara teaches, she hopes people leave with a real sense of God’s work in their lives—drawing them closer to Him, reminding them of the deep love and grace of Jesus, and offering tangible ways to walk with the Spirit in everyday life. She often returns to a simple guiding question: What would Jesus say to us right now—and how would He say it? That question shapes her desire to teach with the same love, patience, and authenticity she believes Jesus would bring.
Outside of church life, Sara works in innovation at Chick-fil-A and enjoys time with her husband David and their two sons. She loves reading, tackling projects at home, and unhurried mornings over coffee together. She values the shared teaching team for both the depth of insight and the genuine camaraderie it creates, and is grateful to be part of a church that thinks deeply about Jesus and seeks to embody His ways.