Grace Team
Pastors and Staff
"to prepare God's people for works of service, so that
the body of Christ may be built up" - Ephesians 4:12
Our Pastoral Staff
John F. Smith - Lead Pastor - Teacher
John is most visible in his role as Senior Pastor on Sunday mornings, but his passion to help others grow in their relationship with Christ spills over into his entire week. John and his wife, Sharon, arrived in Lancaster in September of 1989. Under his leadership, Grace has experienced a growing ministry. Prior to his pastoral ministry at Grace, John led congregations in both the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas. He was equipped for ministry via his training at Philadelphia Biblical University, and Biblical Theological Seminary. In May of 2003, John was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from Grace Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry here at Grace, John occasionally teaches for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries and Lancaster Bible College. John and Sharon love to take walks together and wonder if they will ever become grandparents. They have two adult daughters, Emily and Kate and a son Tim who is married to Kelly.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 23)
Email: jsmith@gracewv.org
Al C. Reilly - Associate Pastor of Mission & Administration
It was in his senior year at Temple University in Philadelphia that Al came to faith in Christ through the ministry of Campus Crusade. About 7 months later, Al met his wife Linda who made a faith commitment to Christ shortly after meeting Al. From Temple, Al attended Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA. Al graduated from BTS in 1984. In the same graduating class was our very own Pastor John. Al has been in the pastorate for 25 years.
Al loves God’s Word, and loves to teach it to others. God opened the door for Al to enjoy teaching opportunities at New York School of the Bible, Philadelphia Biblical University, Lancaster Bible College and Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. In addition to his Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Seminary, Al has completed the class work toward his Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Al’s wife, Linda has been very supportive of Al and his ministry across the years. Al and Linda have been married for 31 years and have four adult children.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 24)
Email: areilly@gracewv.org
Shannon Hollinger - Associate Pastor of Student Ministries
Shannon is normally found in the youth room interacting with middle school and high school students and their families. Shannon leads our student ministries program and diligently strives to provide opportunities for students to learn to love God and love others. Shannon and his wife April arrived in Lancaster in August of 2002. Shannon attended Grace during his middle school and high school years. Prior to returning to Grace, Shannon graduated from Grace College and Seminary with degrees in Christian Ministries, Business Administration, and Ministry and served as a Student Ministries Pastor in Columbus, OH for four years. Shannon and April have three great children, Ben, Jenna, and Emily.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 27)
Email: shollinger@gracewv.org
Robert Kern - Associate Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries
Pastor Bob’s love for studying God’s Word is most visible on Sunday mornings, teaching an Adult Bible Fellowship class for senior adults. His passion for each adult is that they will personally experience God’s great salvation, then grow in knowing Jesus and experience His joy and guidance in daily living. Before coming to Grace Church at Willow Valley as Associate Pastor of Senior Adults, Bob enjoyed pastoring several churches over forty plus years. You may hear his voice on WDAC with daily minute spots called “Bits of Truth”. He was trained at Wheaton College and Wheaton Graduate School, where he earned Masters Degrees in Christian Education and Pastoral Ministries. Bob and his wife Dorothy have five children and seven grandchildren and foster grandchildren. If you cannot find Pastor Bob in his study, or visiting people, you may happen to see him on the golf course or in the exercise room at Willow Valley.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 32)
Email: rkern@gracewv.org
Our Ministry Staff
Joy O’Byrne - Director of Ministry Development
We want the people of Grace to be “…thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim.3:17) As the Director of Ministry Development Joy serves as a guide to help people through the serving process, making sure they are trained and fully equipped for ministry. Her goal is to help everyone understand that serving isn’t something we do, it is who God created us to be. Joy has been on staff since 2001. She and her husband Bruce have two sons, Bryce and Sean, and came to
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 30)
Email: jobyrne@gracewv.org
Lisa Vogt - Office Manager
When you walk into the church office, you are bound to be met by Lisa's cheery smile and bubbly personality. As the Office Manager, Lisa is the one to contact for a variety of issues from giving records to scheduling of church events. Her job requires her to be accessible to everyone in the congregation, which she does with enthusiasm and a willing spirit. Lisa has been a part of our staff since 2001. She is married to Cary and has two daughters, Rachel and Megan.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 42)
Email: lvogt@gracewv.org
Shirl Pearson - Administrative Assistant 
Shirl is most visible in her role as Administrative Assistant for Senior Adults. She enjoys working with Pastor Bob and caring for the many details that come up from week to week. She also helps in general office work. She and her husband Randy make their home in Strasburg with their 3 boys, Dave, Matt and Andrew.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 32)
Email: spearson@gracewv.org
Janet Long - Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper
Janet has two very diverse positions with Grace. Her love of numbers and organizational abilities makes her a great bookkeeper. She is always happy to help the staff with any reports or questions they have regarding the finances of the church. Janet has held this position at Grace since 2002. Janet its also one of our Administrative Assistants. She started this new position in August 2005. Her main responsibilities are maintaining our many Grace publications. This new area of responsibility allows Janet’s creative talents to shine. Janet also enjoys ministering with the worship team and Caraway Street. In her spare time, Janet can be found at home with her husband Ted, and their three beautiful children, Megan, Teddy and Joey.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 31)
Email: jlong@gracewv.org
Jan Shetter - Director of Music and Assimilation
Connecting people to people and to God is what energizes Jan! In the music ministry she and her team have been working to incorporate musicians new to Grace into the many musical groups available. She directs Grace Choir and equips our five worship leaders. Jan can also be seen Sunday mornings working with the Lobby Hosts or at the Hospitality Center; her assimilation team has majored in making guests feel welcome at Grace. Jan has been on staff since 1998; she has her Master of Education in Music degree from Trenton State University. She is married to Sheldon, and they have four grown children and five grandchildren.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 25)
Email: jshetter@gracewv.org
Pat Meister - Director of Children’s Ministries
Pat has a passion for children. She loves to see how these little lives are changed through the hard work and dedication of a great group of Children’s Ministry teachers. Pat has been instrumental in bringing Caraway Street to Grace and she is really looking forward to seeing the transformation of the kids with this exciting program. Pat lives in Strasburg with her husband Davy and their daughter Cassy. Their son Josh and grandson Gabriel live in South Carolina.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 35)
Email: pmeister@gracewv.org
Tina Palguta - Director of Kids Express Preschool
In her role as the Director of Kids Express Preschool, you are sure to find Tina floating from classroom to classroom during school days. Tina began this role in July, 2006. Her great organizational skills and lengthy background in both preschool and public schools is a tremendous asset to our preschool. Tina has lived in
Phone: 464-1439 (Extension 29)
Email: tpalguta@gracewv.org
Elder Team
God has called a faithful group of men to guide, guard, serve, and support the Grace family as Elders. In that capacity, they not only shepherd the church body through prayer, teaching, peacemaking, and leadership training, but address issues related to vision, organization, and staffing, as well. As you think of these men, please pray God would grant wisdom, clarity, and unity in the fulfillment of their duties.
