Our Pastor: At an evening worship service on July 29, 2018, the Reverend Toby Pope was officially installed as our pastor. Toby had previously served a PCA congregation in South Carolina for nine years. Toby received a degree in Music History from Memphis University and a Master's in Education from the University of Tennessee. His Master of Divinity degree was earned at Covenant Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children - Daniel, Abigail and Lydia. Jennifer also received a Master's in Education from the University of Tennessee.
In the interim between pastors, we were blessed to have Rev. Mitch Schultz (pictured below are Mitch and wife Elaine) preaching for us on most Sundays. Mitch is founder of Fruitful Vine Ministries which provides counseling services to pastors and other ministry leaders who need supportive care. To learn more of this ministry, go to https://www.fruitfulvineministry.com/.
In the interim between pastors, we were blessed to have Rev. Mitch Schultz (pictured below are Mitch and wife Elaine) preaching for us on most Sundays. Mitch is founder of Fruitful Vine Ministries which provides counseling services to pastors and other ministry leaders who need supportive care. To learn more of this ministry, go to https://www.fruitfulvineministry.com/.
Our Elders
These men offer spiritual oversight for our congregation as they strive to live in the Gospel and live out the Gospel in their daily lives. We have provided their stories so you can get to know them better.
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Mike Beck:
Mike was born in Vermont. But he came to know the Lord as a 12 year old in Highlands at the Baptist Church. Mike loves turkey and deer hunting. He also loves to take good hikes. If you ask Mike what he is learning lately, he will say, "God is teaching me patience." Chad Boniface:
Chad served as an Army officer for 3 years and spent most of his adult life working for the US Forest Service doing varied activities such as timber management, recreation, and fire management. He is married to his wonderful wife Linda, is father to two grown sons, and is blessed with four grandchildren. Chad also serves as the Church Sexton. Chad has a strong passion for prayer and involvement in men's prayer ministries. He is passionate about helping other believers grow, mature, and share the saving knowledge of Christ with those around them. Chad also loves the outdoors, camping, fishing, and woodworking projects. David Dennis, Sr.:
David is Professor Emeritus, having retired from the School of Accountancy at the University of South Florida where he taught for 30 years. He previously taught at the Univ. of Missouri, where he received his PhD, and at Jacksonville University. Before beginning his teaching career, he worked for an international CPA firm. His hobbies are photography, singing with local music groups and his own quartet, Scrabble and traveling with his wife of 59 years, Sandra. David sings in the choir and leads the praise music. He taught an adult Sunday School class for over 20 years. He and Sandra also led a Bible discussion group for young couples and singles for more than a decade. David and Sandra were both born and raised in Charlotte and were happy to return to the Tar Heel state upon retirement. They have three grown children, four terrific grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Don Dewhurst:
Don was born into a faithful family of believers and responded to God's gracious call of salvation through Jesus Christ at an early age. He found as the years went by that what God wanted was for him to really know Him and trust in His promises. After finishing medical school, residency, and serving with the public health service for 2 years, Don, his wife, and their budding family moved to Franklin, where they have loved living and working. It is at Grace that his knowledge of and relationship with God has become more than he understood at that early age. Don has learned especially in the past year that he is still not where God would ultimately have him be. He desires for God to bring change in him, give him a more constant awareness of his weaknesses, and grant him a willingness to yield his desires to Him. As Don nears retirement, he hopes to enjoy helping his grown children raise their children, as he finds much joy in his 7 grandchildren. Don also enjoys sports and loves fly fishing. |
Bill Dyar:
Bill is a retired public school teacher, coach and administrator. He is a long standing Boy Scout leader, Board Chair and member for the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, and Board Chair and member for the Macon County Heritage Center. Bill also enjoys hiking, camping, running, and Native American studies. People around Bill say that he is spiritually gifted in teaching, leadership and wisdom. Bill is passionate about the impact God's word makes in each of us, how it changes us toward Christ-likeness. David Holt:
David is originally from Jackson County and made the move over the mountain when he married his wife Adrian, a native to Franklin. He grew up surrounded by extended family and attended Smoky Mountain High School where he played soccer. He jumped around a little bit in college having started at Pfeiffer University, transferred to Western Carolina and ended up at UNC -Wilmington with a degree in Anthropology. Currently, he has a Real Estate Appraising business and also is a soccer referee on the side. David met his wife, Adrian, when his mom set them up on a blind date. Having become a Christian in his adult years, it has felt like a steep learning curve. He gives credit to the Lord, working largely through his church family, for causing lots of growth in what seems like a short time. David now serves as an elder at the church and also sings in the choir. David enjoys the outdoors and loves camping with my church family and hiking/backpacking. He loves being the father of two small children. Over the last couple years the Holts have experienced a time of transition. David reflects on the time and sees how God has been faithful to help his family. God has been giving him more faith. Also this period in David's life has been a growing and learning time of how to study the Bible and what it means to have consistent time in God's Word. Bill Little:
Bill was born in Cordele, Georgia and became a Christian in 1959 at old time Camp Meeting. He attended Young Harris College and UGA with degree in Journalism. Bill married in 1970, and has four children and eight grandchildren. He grew up played tennis in High school and continued on at Young Harris. Bill loves football and hiking. He owned his own printing company, Pro-Graphic for 20 years in Atlanta. During his time there he served as deacon at First Baptist Atlanta and currently as elder at Grace. His passion is learning more of the grace and freedom we have in Christ and encouraging others to join in small groups for maturing in the Christian faith. John Sill:
John had the blessing of being born and raised in a Christian home. He moved to Franklin in 1967 where he found and married his wonderful and multi-talented wife Cathy. He loves the natural world (especially birds) and has been a free-lance wildlife artist since college. John enjoys being a choir member and has had the privilege to serve the Lord at Grace as an elder, teacher, and small group leader. Lately John has been noticing how God is working in Him! Before he always enjoyed getting a wise crack remark in during a conversation. Lately he has been thinking, "is that necessary or beneficial." He's working to make his god-given humor more loving. Sometimes we can think we just stay the "same ol' person", it is encouraging for John to know that God is working in Him. |
Our Deacons
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Danny Cook:
Danny was born in Franklin, North Carolina. He began following Christ at an early age. Danny's family pitches in a lot around Grace! From keeping the playground tidy and lawns mowed, to keeping the kids in nursery, the Cooks carry a lot of responsibility for us! When Danny isn't working hard, he likes hunting deer and squirrel or fishing for trout in a local stream or river.
Danny was born in Franklin, North Carolina. He began following Christ at an early age. Danny's family pitches in a lot around Grace! From keeping the playground tidy and lawns mowed, to keeping the kids in nursery, the Cooks carry a lot of responsibility for us! When Danny isn't working hard, he likes hunting deer and squirrel or fishing for trout in a local stream or river.
Rusty Tuggle
Houston Davis
Kirk Mathis
David Huettig
Arledge Armenaki
Nathan Dewhurst
Houston Davis
Kirk Mathis
David Huettig
Arledge Armenaki
Nathan Dewhurst
Our Helpers
Many, many people help make Grace run smoothly.
Here are a few helpers who work diligently, weekly to serve us at Grace!
Jane Armenaki
Church Treasurer
Diana BrailsfordPianist
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Alice Dewhurst
Alice knits her own socks, grinds her own flour, grows her own vegetables, raises chickens, and hangs her wash outside to dry. She loves the old ways of her ancestors, who have been in Macon and Clay counties for about 200 years now. But, she grew up in Washington, DC, in a family of nerds and geeks, had computers and satellites in her home since the 50’s, and learned computer code by the age of 10 (in the early 60’s!) She came to know the Lord at about that age as well, and has never doubted God’s message to man. She has seen many miracles as the Lord quietly worked in her life. Alice returned to Macon County in 1980 and spent her working years as a medical practitioner and raising and homeschooling 4 children. Now she enjoys the company of her 7 grandchildren and the work on her little farm. The geek side of her is used for the Lord, as she produces the audio-visual presentations for the church. She sings in the choir when she’s not at the computer controls.
Technical Support
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Website Photographers - Callie Lynch & Becky Huetigg
A lot of our photos are just snap shots that were taken around Grace by different folks,
but Callie and Becky also took some professional shots for us! Thanks Ladies!
but Callie and Becky also took some professional shots for us! Thanks Ladies!