Staff
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EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
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Steve Norby
Lead Pastor |
Aaron Cloud
Ministry Development |
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CREATIVE ARTS
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Kyle Marker
Worship Pastor |
Nathan Popkes
Graphic Design |
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FAMILY MINISTRY
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Ryan Koltiska
Family Ministries Pastor Deann Stanley
Preschool Director |
Jaena Gormong
Student Ministries Pastor Audree Schaefer
Student Ministries Worship Resident Pastor |
Brennen Schmitt
OASIS (College & Young Adult) |
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COMMUNITY LIFE
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Matt Douglas
Connections and Care |
Vicki Norby
Communication |
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MULTIPLICATION & NETWORKING
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OPERATIONS
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Amber Hobbie
Operations & Office Manager |
Beth Robinson
Receptionist |
Jennifer Diedrich
Office Assistant |
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Aaron joined the staff in April of 2011. He studied Christian Ministries and Biblical Literature at Indiana Wesleyan University and completed his M.A. in ministry leadership from Wesley Seminary and an M.A in Theological Studies from Nazarene Theological Seminary. Aaron met his wife, Lauren, at Indiana Wesleyan. Aaron and Lauren have 3 daughters, Eisley, Emery & Indie.
As the ministry development pastor Aaron works with Steve, our lead pastor, to provide tangible direction to the GracePoint vision of helping people encounter grace, grow in grace and become grace givers. To this end Aaron provides vision, development and direction to the GracePoint staff while also working to cultivate a healthy culture centered around our Church’s vision. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys photography, cycling and reading. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. 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. |
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Brennen grew up in Sioux Falls, SD before coming up to South Dakota State University and earning degrees in Economics and Communication Studies. Now, Brennen is pursuing his Master’s of Divinity from Wesley Seminary. Brennen first felt his call to ministry in his later years of high school while taking on a leadership role in his youth group. After serving in various roles within GracePoint’s Youth Ministry (GSM) and College and Young Adult Ministry (Oasis), Brennen has transitioned from the residency program into the College and Young Adult Pastor role. Brennen’s love for organization, people, and Jesus make him a great leader for this ministry. Even better, Brennen was a regular attender at Oasis and served on their leadership team before working at GracePoint. His heart is to provide acceptance, identity, and purpose through Jesus in young adult’s lives.
In his free time, Brennen loves hanging out with his wife and friends, watching and playing soccer, playing cards and board games, and eating Qdoba. |
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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 received his ministerial license through the Cross Training program at Oklahoma Wesleyan in early 2016.
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. |
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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. |
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Dylan grew up in Rapid City, SD and came to SDSU to pursue a degree in Nursing. He got involved at GracePoint and Oasis his first week in Brookings. During his sophomore year of college Dylan received a call into ministry. He proceeded to leave SDSU at the end of that semester and moved to Brookings full-time with hopes of working alongside GracePoint in pursuit of his ministry calling. Since then, Dylan says he has grown spiritually an unbelievable amount. He is encouraged by seeing what God has already done through the ministry of Oasis, and he is even more excited to see what God will do with his time serving this ministry.
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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. |
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Born and raised near Flint, MI, Jeff is an avid University of Michigan fan, and loves all Detroit sports, even the Lions. He and high school sweetheart, Kate, got married when they were 21 and a few years later, they left Michigan for Virginia Beach, VA. There Jeff worked as a Polysomnographic Technician (a sleep tech) for a Virginia Beach hospital, and they became core members of a Wesleyan Church plant.
After about 4 years, Jeff felt a pull toward full-time ministry, and began pursuing licensing through the Wesleyan Church FLAME program. Through a long course of events, Jeff and Kate interned for New Hope Wesleyan Church in Williston, ND in 2008, under the leadership of Pastor Steve Norby. In May, 2009, Jeff accepted a position at Watford City (ND) Wesleyan Church, where he served as lead pastor for 9 years. While there, he and Kate had two children, Olivia and Makenzie. In 2018, Jeff and Kate felt God’s pull again, calling them away from Watford City and toward the church revitalization project in Watertown, SD. |
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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.
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After spending 14 years living and working in Mississippi, Jodi felt the Lord leading her back closer to her family. Born and raised in Brookings, moving back “home” was affirmed over and over showing her she was making the right move.
Prior to joining the staff at GracePoint in August 2019, Jodi was managing a busy day spa where she learned all about southern hospitality! She is so excited to be back in her hometown and can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet many new people! When Jodi isn’t at work, you can find her with her sweet puppy, Willow Mae, along with keeping up with her niece and nephew. She loves spending time with her family and friends, watching endless amounts of SDSU sporting events, and working out. |
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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. |
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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 to serve as the Technical Director.
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. Their son, AJ, joined the family in January of 2016! 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, playing guitar, and playing board games. |
Larry has attended Brookings Wesleyan/GracePoint Church since 1963 when he was a sophomore in high school. There he met his wife, Connie, and they were married in 1969. Previously Larry had served in the US Army for three years. He has been a farmer all of his life and received the Outstanding Young Farmer award in 1982. Larry & Connie have two daughters, Tricia (Steve) Wilkins and Heather (Dan) Dubro and 8 grandchildren. Larry is currently semi-retired, but enjoys the maintenance position at GracePoint, as well as helping Adam Wiese during planting and harvest seasons.
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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. |
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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 is newly married to his lovely wife Kira, who he met at Indiana Wesleyan. They both love all things outdoors, serving people, and engaging in competition together. |
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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. |
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Ryan was born and raised in Sheridan, WY. Ryan initially went to college for Musical Theater but God called him into ministry during his senior year. Eventually, this led him back to the Sheridan Wesleyan Church where he spent 10 years as a pastor leading worship, teaching and preaching, and leading community outreach. In 2017, Ryan became the Executive Director of Sheridan KidsLife, a Christian youth organization for kids from 3rd grade through high school with the mission of connecting kids to Christ.
Ryan is especially fond of Ashley, his wife. They both love the mountains, good music and theater, and singing together. Ryan & Ashley have four children, Levi, Ethan, Eliza and Olive. |
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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 held at the home of Pastor Steve and Vicki. Quickly after, God began to express a very 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 gained over a decade of experience in media/events, followed by several years in manufacturing support roles here in Brookings, while discerning God’s call on her life. She was brought on staff 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 at GracePoint. The heart of this ministry is to “welcome the stranger” and “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Serenity is also a Board Certified Master Mental Health Coach through the International Board of Christian Care and leads Celebrate Recovery ministry in Watertown, in partnership with other area churches. Knowing personally how much Jesus can transform a broken, dysfunctional life, Serenity is passionate about recovery, unity, and service. Her mission in Christ is to change the world by showing you how you can change the world, too! |
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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. |