Staff

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
CREATIVE ARTS
FAMILY MINISTRY
COMMUNITY LIFE
OPERATIONS
Amber joined the GracePoint staff in May 2007 as the church secretary. In June 2018 she changed roles & became the Operations & Office Manager. She oversees & manages the facility as well as coordinates the many events at the church.
 
Amber grew up attending GracePoint with her family. After graduating from Flandreau High School she attended Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, OK, where she received a degree in Elementary Education.
 
She lives on the family farm southeast of Brookings & loves spending time with her nieces & nephew, cheering on the SDSU basketball teams, spending time with friends, traveling, Broadway musicals & just about everything else in between.
Audree grew up in Leola, South Dakota and came to Brookings to attend SDSU and to pursue Veterinary School. After coming to Oasis and being saved, she was baptized at GracePoint and began serving as an Oasis leader, leading a Bible study, and singing on the worship team, for Oasis and GracePoint. She felt her call to ministry during her sophomore year of college and (after deliberating with several staff members and friends) transferred to Grand Canyon University’s online campus to pursue a degree in Christian Studies with a Worship Leadership emphasis. Audree is currently getting her undergraduate degree and will continue on to get her Master of Divinity.

Audree is passionate about music—using song to praise the Lord—as well as helping young people grow to know Jesus and learn to express their Christianity to others. In her free time Audree likes to hike, read, play with her dog, Dixie, and lift weights with her husband, Devan.
Ben originally joined the staff of GracePoint Wesleyan (at that time, Brookings Wesleyan) in 2010 as Interim Youth Pastor before moving to Minneapolis in the summer of 2011 to help plant a church. After serving in Minneapolis he moved to Watertown, SD to become a worship pastor. Ben was called back to GracePoint to serve as Pastor for the Oasis Young Adult Ministry in 2019. After two and a half years as the Oasis Pastor, Ben transitioned into the Multiplication and Networking role at GracePoint. With this role, Ben oversees GracePoint’s network churches, residency program, and any future multiplication efforts including church planting. 

While attending SDSU, Ben met his wife, Abby, and the two were married in June of 2010. After graduating from Crown College in 2015 with a degree in Christian Ministries, Ben received a Masters of Divinity Degree through Sioux Falls Seminary in 2021. Ben and Abby have four children: Wesley, Alice (AJ), Otis and Leeland.
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Ben has a passion for helping people grow in the character and competency of Jesus through leading worship, teaching, and making disciples with a priority on multiplication.
Hey there! I'm Beth, a proud mom of three amazing kiddos Averie, Easton and Emersyn. I am happily married to Kyle, my best friend and definitely my better half! I was born and raised in Kansas, but have called South Dakota home for the past 17 years. I am so blessed to be part of this incredible team. Camping, bonfires, shopping, Mexican food and coffee are some of my favorite things!​
Brennen is an alum of Brookings’s own South Dakota State University where he earned degrees in Economics and Communication Studies. He also has his Master’s of Divinity from Wesley Seminary.  Brennen started attending GracePoint in college and has held multiple roles at the church from ministry intern, pastoral assistant, pastoral resident, and now he’s an ordained pastor! Brennen’s love for organization, people, and Jesus make him a great leader for the Oasis ministry.  His heart is to provide young adults with acceptance, identity, and purpose through Jesus Christ. ​
Dave joined the GracePoint team as the Community Life Pastor in early 2015. He studied Recreation Management at Indiana Wesleyan University, completed his M.S. in Leadership and Higher Education at John Brown University, and was ordained into the Wesleyan Church in 2020. 

After finishing his undergrad, Dave felt God's calling to Columbus, Ohio where he started working for Ohio Christian University.  He spent seven years on staff there and had the chance to work in several different ministries, primarily in Student Development helping program Student Activities, Residence Life, and Student Success where he helped teach the incoming freshman class.  He also began coaching volleyball on the side and was able to practice his leadership principles.  

As the Community Life Pastor he works to implement the fundamental values of GracePoint into the growth groups and organizes our Global Outreach efforts.  He also enjoys officiating weddings throughout the year and the occasional speaking engagement. 

Dave met his lovely wife Heidi in Ohio, even though she is from Florida and he is from Indiana. They have five children: Phoenix Zoey, Zion, Asher and Miles. When they are not in Brookings, the family enjoys going on exciting journeys. Their favorite pastimes include some sort of recreational exercise or traveling; if not to see family, then to visit new places. Dave still enjoys volleyball and will participate in any hobby from ping-pong to rock climbing.
Deann Stanley joined GracePoint Preschool staff November 2021. Deann and her family moved to Brookings in July 2021 and began attending GracePoint Church. She has a heart for preschool age children, their families, and the devoted teachers and assistants.

She graduated from Minot State University with a double bachelors in Management and Marketing. While working at a Montessori, she quickly realized how much she connected and enjoyed working with children. She attributes her love of littles to her mother, Karen, who poured her heart into teaching Kindergarten the majority of her life. Following in her mother's footsteps, she opened Busy Buzzers Preschool in Harvey, North Dakota and ran that for over 5 years. It is such an incredible opportunity to be able to impact children’s lives early on,  watching them grow and cultivating a “love to learn” rooted in Jesus. 

Deann, born and raised in North Dakota, is married to her husband, Justin, a Brookings native and they have 5 children: Rowan, Ava, Cruz, Lyric and Briar. Her family was excited to move “south” and enjoy the warmer temperatures.
In her rare spare time, she enjoys playing volleyball, singing, photography, proofreading, restoring old furniture and creating new pieces, remodeling, hiking and is known to be slightly competitive in any game.
​Emily was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas and felt her call to ministry in high school. In the beginning, Emily was quite certain she would be a worship pastor and earned her undergrad in Worship and Pastoral Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University. It was here that Emily realized God was opening doors and revealing gifts she didn't know she had. Throughout college, Emily learned she loved to preach and she grew a passion for seeing the people of God worship in the everyday, ordinary moments of life. Emily pursued a residency in Greeley, Colorado with a focus on Youth and Outreach ministry while also completing her Master's in Practical Theology through IWU. After completing her residency, she joined the GracePoint team in 2023.

Emily's favorite hobbies are running and skiing with her family. She loves to laugh and always has a funny story to share.
Hope has been a part of the GracePoint worship team since 2014 as an SDSU student. Since then she has pursued photography, teaching and ministry only to find herself on staff at GracePoint in the fall of 2023 as the Worship Assistant.

Hope met her husband, Travis, while living in Sioux Falls, SD. They eventually got married and moved back to Brookings as Travis started his new position as an Avera Physical Therapist in 2021. They started their family with two fur friends named Harvey and Banjo and recently welcomed their first baby boy, Whittaker, into the world in 2023.

At the age of three years old, Hope found her love for music and singing for others. Throughout her life she has prayed for God’s guidance in how best to use and cultivate this passion. Through worship and the people of GracePoint, she has found a desire to connect biblical truths to the hearts of others through song.
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In her free time Hope loves to be with friends and family traveling, going to Disney World, hiking, and going on any other possible adventures.
Jaena Gormong is graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in December of 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts, as a double major in Applied Music and Christian Worship. Jaena grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana, and felt her call to ministry developing over the four summers of her college years as she served in a variety of roles in camp ministry. She comes from a family of farmers and pastors and is excited to continue the line of ministry present in her family. 

Jaena is passionate about helping young people come to know Christ, and experience a chain-breaking, Holy Spirit-filled life. 

In her free time, Jaena enjoys reading, sewing, spending time with friends and family, and being outside in the sun.
Hello! My name is Jennifer Diedrich, and it is a pleasure to introduce myself. My family and I have attended GracePoint for the past 8 years. You may recognize me as I have been serving as the nursery volunteer coordinator for the past few years.  I am blessed to share this life with my husband, Spencar and our 4 children, Martin, Charlie, Aiden and Mya. My husband and I live and farm southeast of Brookings. We enjoy every bit of what that lifestyle encompasses especially the family time as we work together. Our children keep me busy but, when I get the chance, I like to be outside in the gardens, camping with the family, cooking/baking and reading. I am looking forward to serving  you and GracePoint in this new role.
Jordan joined the staff at GracePoint in 2016 as a Media Producer and served in that role for 3 years. After pursuing photography and videography full time in the wedding and commercial industry, he rejoined the staff at GracePoint in the summer of 2023 as the Creative Arts Director.

Jordan met his wife, Rachel, in their high school youth group and they got married in May 2010. They have three children, Maggie, Rowan, and Sloane. He graduated from Dakota State University with a Network & Systems Administration degree in 2012. After college Jordan and Rachel moved to Brookings and have called it home since 2012.

Jordan started photography after college with the intention of finding a hobby that was more life-giving and quickly found it to be a passion. This led to more interests like videography, web design and graphic design. He enjoys using visuals to help share the message of Jesus and creating spaces where people can encounter His love & praise Him.

In his spare time, Jordan enjoys basketball, disc golfing, music, and is a passionate fan of the Jacks, Tar Heels, and Seahawks.
Pastor Joe has been the lead pastor of Hub City Church since August, 2021. He grew up on a farm outside of Platte, SD. He went to SDSU in Brookings where he studied Vocal Music Education. After a year of teaching, he felt called to ministry and got his Master of Divinity from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to coming to Hub City, he held pastoral positions in kids ministry, worship, and discipleship in Indiana and Iowa.

Pastor Joe is blessed with an amazing wife, Chelsea, and two wonderful kids, Rhett and Adah. The Nepodals are avid board game enthusiasts, love finding new restaurants (Thai food is a family favorite), and enjoy taking walks as a family. In his spare time Joe can usually be found playing disc golf, reading, playing video games, or designing websites.

Pastor Joe is passionate about seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus Christ through discipleship, worship, and teaching. He loves preaching, playing guitar and singing, and leveraging technology for Kingdom impact.
Kyle originally joined the staff at GracePoint Wesleyan in 2009 in the role of Interim Worship Leader and served in that role for just under 2 years. After that Kyle served as the Worship Pastor at Living Hope Wesleyan Church in Madison, SD for a year before being called back to GracePoint.

Kyle met his wife Kelsey at Madison High School and they got married in June 2010. Kyle graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in spring of 2013 with a degree in Ministry and Leadership. They have two kids; AJ and Ellie.

Kyle is passionate about seeing people enter into a time of authentic worship. He also loves to see the way that technology can be used to spread the message of Christ.

In his spare time, Kyle enjoys golfing, disk golfing, days at the lake, and playing board games.
Matt carries a deep passion for connecting the next generation with Jesus, a calling he's faithfully lived out for over 17 years in full-time ministry, particularly with children, teens and families. Now he's thrilled to extend that dedication to the students at GSM, guiding them to delve deeper into their walk with God. He loves witnessing students claim their faith and actively serve others.

He finds great joy in the company of his wife Laura and their four children—Tirzah, Elizabeth, Evelyn and Caleb. They enjoy playing board games, reading, being outside, and watching movies together.
Matt joined the staff in May 2010. He left a 9-year career in the manufacturing world, 7 years with Daktronics Inc. as a Crew Leader and 2 years with Rainbow Play Systems Inc. as a Design Engineer.

Matt studied Manufacturing Engineering and Industrial Management at South Dakota State University while working full-time for Daktronics and Rainbow. He is now taking ministerial classes through the Wesleyan Church.

Matt met his wife Stacie while working for Daktronics. They have a daughter Morgan, 2 sons, Jacob and Owen, and a wonderful dog.

Matt’s passion is to come alongside those who are seeking to grow in their faith and connect them with the vibrant faith community at GracePoint.

Matt oversees the connections and care ministries.
Nathan was born and raised in Indiana/Michigan as the second of four siblings with a strong commitment to family. His passion for children’s ministry is rooted in his own faith story of coming to know Christ through his second grade Sunday school class. He has a deep desire for children and families to know and live in relationship with Jesus!

Nathan joined the GracePoint staff as our Children's Pastor in July of 2021 after completing his Master’s in Practical Theology for Christian Ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Nathan is extremely competitive and will give his best shot at any sport, card game, strategy game, etc. His favorite sports to play are baseball and disc golf! He enjoys following sports, but more specifically the Detroit Tigers and professional disc golf.

Nathan and his wife Kira have been married since 2021 after meeting at Indiana Wesleyan. They both love all things outdoors, serving people, and engaging in competition together. In 2023, they welcomed twin girls, Eleanor and Amelia into their family.
Nathan was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD.   He originally went to college with the intention of pursuing an Architectural degree with specialization on residential buildings.  After working alongside of a few graphic designers in previous jobs, he found a heart for communicating through design/art.  Currently, he attends SDSU as a graphic design student with an emphasis on drafting and studio arts.  He has a deep passion to create an environment at GracePoint that invites and cares for all those who walk into the space.
Nathan met his wife, Nicole, at SDSU and they got married in August of 2022. Together, they love outdoor actives, reading, trying new coffee shops, picnics, and mountain biking.
Ryan became the pastor at GracePoint Watertown in August of 2023. He attended Minnesota State University in Mankato, where he met his beautiful wife Sarah, and finished his General Studies degree at South Dakota State in Brookings. Before coming to Watertown, Ryan spent two years at Linwood Wesleyan Church in Sioux Falls.
 
Ryan believes that the main role of the Church, both local and universal, is to fulfill the Great Commission. He believes that each church has a unique role in fulfilling the Great Commission, and each person in the church has a unique role designated by God. He believes the role God has for him is to serve and shepherd the local church as a pastor in helping the church in fulfilling the Great Commission.
 
Ryan & Sarah love to spend time outdoors. They both love fishing and spending time walking through nature and enjoying each other's company. They also have two dogs that they love to take outdoors with them. When stuck inside, they enjoy playing games, Canasta and Sequence are among their favorites.
Serenity and her husband Jeff have been members of GracePoint since early 2012, when they found their church family here. Together, the two made life-changing connections through GracePoint growth groups at the home of Pastor Steve and Vicki Norby. Quickly after, God began to express an unexpected call into ministry!

In the fall of 2015, while working full-time at Daktronics, Serenity graduated cum laude with a B.S. in biblical studies from Indiana Wesleyan University. She continued working through non-trad ordination requirements with Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and she was ordained in the middle of a global pandemic in August of 2020.

Prior to this, Serenity started out with a 10-year career in media/events, followed by several years in technical writing and service support roles here in Brookings, while discerning God’s call on her life. She was brought on staff at GracePoint in the summer of 2017 as a ministry assistant with the Community Life team, then transitioned in the spring of 2018 into a full-time role, serving as pastor for our Hospitality & Local Outreach ministry. The heart of this ministry is to “welcome actual people into our actual lives, and love our neighbor as ourselves.”

Serenity is also a Board Certified Christian Life Coach through the International Board of Christian Care, adhering to the highest clinical, ethical, and biblical standards of practice. She loves to mentor one-on-one and leads recovery ministries in a variety of settings in the Brookings area.
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Active in recovery herself for 13+ years, Serenity came to Christ as a direct result of God’s work through the 12 Steps. She and Jeff are proof that God saves lives. Her favorite part of ministry is seeing the way God redeems even the unlikeliest stories, through people set free to love freely in the power of Jesus Christ!
Steve originally joined the staff at Brookings (now GracePoint) Wesleyan in 1996 as the Discipleship Pastor. He left a 15-year career at 3M company where he had held positions ranging from Project Engineer to Plant Engineering Manager. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota and he earned a Bible degree from Indiana Wesleyan University while employed at 3M.

After being on staff here for 3 years, Steve was called to the lead pastor position at New Hope Wesleyan in Williston, North Dakota. He spent 10 1/2 years in ministry there until called back to Brookings in January of 2010.

Steve is married to his high school sweetheart, Vicki. They have 6 children and 13 grandchildren. Steve loves to spend his spare time working out, golfing and hiking in the mountains with Vicki.

Leading people to authentic relationship with Jesus Christ is Steve’s passion. He is committed to preaching God’s Word in a relevant and life-changing way and desires for people to become crazy in love with Jesus.