Randall D. Smith, Senior Pastor

Dr. Randall Smith is a respected Bible teacher who has lived and worked in the places of the Bible for more than a quarter of his Life. Randy studied in Jerusalem & holds degrees in Near East Archaeology & a Doctorate in Comparative Religion from Conservative Theological Seminary. He has a thorough understanding of Biblical culture, history, geography & rabbinic teachings & is gifted in using that knowledge to focus on the practical aspects of our faith.

He and his wife Dottie have three children and have lived in Sebring since 2002.

"Pastor Randy is the best teacher I have ever heard. In fact, I confess I am deeply in love with him!" --Dottie Smith - his wife!

"He's a good boy. You should go hear him teach!" --Charlotte Smith - his mom.

Dottie is an administrator for Global Vision Outreach, an international mission. She juggles office duties and cares for her children, but loves being a hostess and serving on the worship team at Grace. Pastor Randy and Dottie keep a changing blog of their family and travels, Bible lessons, and church notes at their personal blog.

Matthew Wheelock, Assistant to the Pastor

Matt is the "man behind the programs" at Grace. He administrates most of the ministry operations, and watches over the quality of what we are doing. He is the all around "program guy", and takes care of a myriad of details. He has developed a management style that involves building solid relationships with those who serve with him.

He holds a degree in Church Leadership from Southeastern University.

His wife Kris, a home grown Highlands County girl, has a heart to serve. She helps out wherever she is needed, and does a phenomenal job putting together our fellowship times each week.

"Matt is a real find. I don't know where you got a guy this good, Pastor, but I am so impressed with him!" - Grace Elder, Ken Hannum

Aaron Michaud, Assistant to the Pastor

Despite the goofy look, Aaron is a vital part of the work at Grace. He and his wife, Sara, recently finished their tenure at Heartland Christian school and will be working full time with Grace Church.

Aaron Michaud has been working with youth in Highlands county through Sebring Grace and Youth for Christ for the past six years. He was the director and oversaw CRAVE! Youth Ministries here at Grace, but he will be moving into a curriculum development position in order to create classes at Grace that will help equip the congregation in the study of the Word as well as other life training courses.

He holds a degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University.

He is also actively involved in teaching and discipling at Great Commission Bible Institute. His love for the Word and his constant desire to encourage is contagious. After all, looks aren't everything (just kidding...)! You can keep up with his thoughts on his blog.

His wife, Sara has a passion for music. She recently stepped down as the music teacher at Heartland Christian, but remains in the lives of young people through private lessons.

Tommy Keogh, Director of Hispanic Ministries

Tommy Keogh is an incredibly talented young man. Tommy was raised in Honduras and moved to Sebring after a stint in the United States Navy. Since, he has become more and more involved in the ministry at Grace and is now heading our Hispanic outreach. He is an incredible asset and is trilingual- speaking English, Spanish, and Misikito, an indigenous language to Central America.

Tommy is graduate of the Great Commission Bible Institute class of 2009.

Doug Ogden, Director of Student Ministries

Doug Ogden is a gifted young man. He grew up right here at Grace and is now vital part of the church's ministry. A passion teacher of God's Word, Doug has just taken up the mantle of leadership for CRAVE! Youth Ministries. He has a heart for young people and longs to see this teenage generation make choices that will honor and glorify Jesus Christ.

Doug is graduate of the Great Commission Bible Institute class of 2009.

Keep up with Doug on his blog.

Welcome to Grace!

Highlands County has many churches, and we are very thankful for the ways God is using believers that are teaching His Word and sharing the salvation of Jesus in many places. We at Grace see ourselves as an exciting part of what God is doing in this community. We have four defining purposes that govern all that we do:

Grace is a place for people who desire to WORSHIP. That means we provide a number of different opportunities in the week to gather with other followers of Jesus and tell God that He is awesome and worthy of praise! We believe that worship is not simply music, singing, preaching or prayer - it is taking the time to open our hearts to God individually and together. We create several different kinds of services to help us together grow in praise.

Grace is a place for LEARNING. We have many opportunities from small group studies to large meetings where we open our Bibles and study them thoroughly. We sponsor the Great Commission Bible Institute where students come from all over the US to study the Word. We take the Bible seriously, and believe it contains the principles to live a life pleasing to the Lord in every way. Expect every message to be a careful exposition of the Scriptures.

Grace is a place to BELONG. We love to get people involved in each other’s lives. We are an active body with a ton of ways to share your life with other people. Some of us have come through deep hurts and will lift your heart with stories of how God brought us through.

Grace is a place to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. We are involved in outreach projects in Highlands County, but also are regularly moving out in mission projects and trips around the world. We train students to become leader-servants in world missions. We want you to become a part of something bigger than you could ever have imagined. Come and visit with us. We think you will feel the difference!

Grace Vine

I heard it through the GRACE VINE!

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