The Grace Staff

Ray.jpgRay Russell — Senior Pastor

Ray is our one import—he comes to us from our neighbor to the north, Canada. Ray was serving Jesus in the role of teaching pastor in southern Wisconsin for four years before joining us here. Before that Ray was a senior pastor in Southern Ontario. Ray is an alumni of Winnipeg Bible College ( Providence College) and has his Masters of Divinity degree at Phoenix Seminary in Arizona. Ray has a major sports background and at one time even turned downed the opportunity to play professional hockey. With this background he has spent much of his life coaching kids in hockey and baseball. Prior to entering the ministry, Ray owned and operated his own business. He is married to his high-school sweetheart, Diane, and has two grown sons; Derek and Steve. The passions of Ray’s life are: To know and share God’s truth; His wife, Diane; his boys; all sports-but especially hockey and finally but not lastly -reading.  Contact Ray at ray@go2grace.org.
 

Lance_and_Sarah Lance Olimb — Pastor of Student Ministries

Lance is a homegrown product of Grace Baptist Church and has been involved in ministry here since childhood. From 1998 through 2001 he spent a few years away from Grand Forks serving in full-time missions with YWAM. Then after serving as Grace’s Children’s Ministry Director from 2002 through 2005, Lance took the position as Pastor of Student Ministries (youth and university) where he currently serves. He graduated from the Universtiy of North Dakota with a Political Science undergraduate degree and a Masters in Public Administration. He is currently working on his seminary degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. When Lance is not at Grace you might find him golfing, riding bike with his wife Sarah, or learning to be a father to his two new twin boys Micah and Mason. Contact Lance at lance@go2grace.org.

Picture 020z.jpgZach Simons — Interim Director of Worship

Zach grew up in the far away land of Wisconsin in a family of 4 children… Zach and 3 younger sisters.  After moving to North Dakota in 2003, he spent 4 years obtaining his undergraduate degree in Aviation Management. Throughout college he spent time working in social services with local boys and their families. Zach has been leading worship teams from the age of 16 and has developed a desire to worship God above all things. He has been playing guitar for over 10 years and completely enjoys the instrument.  Zach loves his fiance Aly, camping, hiking (and the outdoors in general), sports (his home team, the Green Bay Packers), music and (above all) God. Contact Zach at zach@go2grace.org.

beth.jpg Beth Olimb — Office Manager

Beth was born in Grand Forks, ND and has lived her whole life in rural Manvel, ND. Feeling called by God to apply for the secretary position at GBC, Beth became a part of the staff on March 21st, 2002. She is married to her wonderful husband, Greg. They have been blessed with 3 children, Jeremy, Lance & Dana; two daughter-in-laws, Rachel & Sarah; three grandsons: Asher, Micah and Mason.
Contact Beth at beth@go2grace.org.

kayelynn.jpg Kaye Lynn Meyer — Director of Children’s Ministries

Kaye Lynn was born in Grand Forks, and has lived here most of her life with a short move to New Mexico in 1999. After over 20 years of running a home daycare and raising her own children, she accepted the job of Director of Children’s Ministries at Grace in October of 2005. She has been married to Mike for over 25 blessed years and she has 3 children, Tony, Danny and Alyssa. She has always been passionate about children and family. This job has given her the chance to combine her love for Christ and her love of children in a meaningful way. Contact Kaye Lynn at kayelynn@go2grace.org.

matthew.jpg Matt Morken — Middle School Student Ministries

Matt has been working with Grace’s middle school students for more than 2 years now. Previous to serving as a partime staff member, he spent time working as an intern with the church’s youth program. Currently he teaches at Sunday school, and Wednesday night middle school gatherings. Matt is our one farm boy, born and raised in Climax, MN where he lives now with his wife Sharon and their new son Finley. When not at the church, Matt works a part owner/operator of his cattle operation in Climax. Aside from serving the body of Christ at Grace, Matt enjoys in-line skating, playing video games with the youth, and archery hunting. Contact Matt at matt@go2grace.org.