Lead Pastor: Jonathan Trees' pastoral ministry blends his experiences from years leading worship, teaching, and serving the Florida District as Mentor Coordinator, as well as Midsouth District leadership boards. Jonathan and his wife, Kara, have coauthored a marriage retreat curriculum to share the lessons they have learned from 34 years as husband and wife. Kara is a licensed teacher and a licensed realtor in North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. She taught elementary school for decades and was the principal at Christian Heritage Academy. They enjoy time with their children, Megan (Curt) and Marlena as well their precious grandchildren. Jonathan and Kara both graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University and Jonathan completed his MDiv from Nazarene Theological Seminary. Jonathan has published The Second Chair: Becoming The MVP; Circle Highlight Underline Bible studies; What Do You Have In Your Hands?; and a collection of essays called, The Boy In The Box With Lights. He enjoys hiking in the mountains of Tennessee and speaking as an advocate for living organ donation. 

Worship Pastor: Craig Adams, a 5-time Dove Award winning producer and arranger within the Christian music industry, has more than thirty-five years experience as a Worship Pastor. He graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in 1991 with a B.S. in Music Business and in 2022 earned an M.A. in Worship and Leadership. In addition to serving as Worship Pastor at Grace Church, Craig has returned to TNU as the Executive Director of the Center for Commercial Music and to teach in the Worship Studies degree program. His sphere of influence within the Christian music industry and Church Music has become far-reaching and his talents have contributed to the success of countless notable artists such as Sandy Patty, Steve Green, Sonic Flood, FFH, Margaret Becker and many more. Craig resides in Franklin, TN with his wife, Deanna, and two children, Madeline and Hayden. He enjoys travel, tennis, all things Cincinnati Reds, and backyard grill-outs with his family and church friends on a regular basis.

Youth Pastor: Kevin Simons has been involved in Youth Ministry for 32 years and has served in the Nazarene church in many different parts of the country, most recently in Venice, FL. He and his wife, Meghan, met and fell in love at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN.

Pastor To Children And Families: Jon Ary joined our staff in August 2023. Jon met Sigrid in Seattle, WA, and recently celebrated 7 years of marriage. They have two wild boys, Judah (5) and Elijah (3), whom they adore! The Arys are a family who loves reading together, exploring cool parks in the area, and trying new restaurants. Sigrid has been a school teacher for 8 years, and Jon has had the honor to lead children & family ministries for over a decade. He says, "The calling that God placed in our hearts for the future generation is a true gift. I have a passion to reach the community and pastor a generation of world changers who seek the Lord with all their heart."

Associate Pastor: David Johnson came to join our staff in 2017, shortly after his retirement from the mission field. He and his wife, Lisa, provided evangelism, pastoral training, discipleship, and administrative support to both the Madagascan and Kenyan people through Nazarene Missions International (NMI) for over 17 years. Their adult daughters, Lauren and Amanda, who were raised in Africa, now reside in Nashville as well. David started the Grace Church Swahili worship service, which meets on Sundays at 11:00am. He has a passion for lost and marginalized cultures, and his humble spirit draws these people to him. We are thankful to have both David and Lisa stateside at Grace church!

Pastoral Care: Jorge Tacuara was born in Mozambique, Africa, to a family of ten children: two boys and eight girls. In 1986 Jorge received Jesus Christ as his savior at Nampula Central Church of the Nazarene and later sensed a call into ministry. In 2003 Jorge earned his Master of Arts (MA) in theology and biblical studies from Trevecca Nazarene University. Jorge holds another master’s degree in public administration (MPA). He is currently in the Ph.D. program in public policy and administration at Tennessee State University.

Celebrate Recovery Director: My name is Michelle, and I’m a grateful believer in Jesus Christ who is in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. I currently have the privilege of serving as the Ministry Leader for Celebrate Recovery at Grace Church. It was while I was attending Celebrate Recovery that one of the attendees invited me to a church service at Grace Church. Within a couple of months, I attended the class here at Grace to become a member, and I officially became a member on September 1, 2019. 
Through Celebrate Recovery, I have had the honor of witnessing countless lives transformed by the power of faith and redemption. The program fosters a supportive community where individuals from all walks of life find solace and strength in shared experiences. As the Ministry Leader, I am continually inspired by the courage and vulnerability displayed by those who attend our meetings, openly confronting their struggles and embracing the grace offered to them. Beyond my involvement at Grace Church, I am passionate about extending hope to those outside our congregation. Whether it’s volunteering at outreach events, mentoring others in recovery, or simply lending a listening ear, I strive to reflect God’s love in everything I do. My journey has taught me that no obstacle is insurmountable when rooted in faith, and I am committed to walking alongside others as they discover their own paths to freedom and fulfillment.

College Director: Olivia Nichols has been part of the Grace community from her childhood. She is now a Youth Ministry major at Trevecca Nazarene University. 

Special Needs Pastor & SNMFI Founder: Brad Lee moved to Nashville after retiring from the military to pursue his vision of fostering church collaboration with families impacted by special needs. Brad has been married to Lori LaBaw for 32 years, and they have six wonderful children: Tara (25), Shayna (23), Marissa (21), Kavan (17), Kaydan (10), and Grayson (7). Originally from English, Indiana, Chaplain Lee is an avid hockey player and a gifted pianist. Together, he and Lori have cultivated a musical family that has ministered and performed in diverse settings, including the military, churches, and public venues. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Liberty University with a concentration on special needs marriage. His passion remains centered on special needs ministry and supporting families navigating these challenges. Brad’s first book, Walking with Kaydan: A Journey of Faith, Struggle, and Hope, will be published in early 2024.