Tim Theule:
Tim was born and raised in Southern California. He trusted Jesus Christ as a child and was actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ throughout high school and his college years at UC Santa Barbara. After receiving a B.A. in Business Economics at UCSB, Tim went on to pursue a Masters of Divinity degree at Talbot School of Theology. Before coming to Grace, Tim served for 10 years at the Evangelical Free Church of Laguna Hills. During that time, he was both licensed and ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of America. After a wild and wondrous soul-searching process, sensing the clear call of God, Tim became Grace's fifth Lead Pastor in March 2003.
Tim is passionate about the power of the Gospel to transform lives, families, and communities here on the Central Coast! He's committed to the centrality of the Gospel, the doctrines of grace, relevant expository preaching, and authentic, multi-generational community. His desire is that Grace becomes a church in the community, for the community, as we live and apply the Gospel throughout all life, in all relationships, in all circumstances.
Tim and his wife, Susie, were married in 1993. Susie is a licensed clinical psychologist and Tim's balancing factor in ministry. Together they have four great kids; Sage, Eden, Ezekiel, and Haaken. In his free time, Tim enjoys surfing, mountain biking, reading, and gardening.
Miles Nelson:
Miles was born and raised in Northern California and gave his life to Christ at age 17.
Miles and his wife Hannah first came to Grace in 2008 after moving to the Central Coast. After volunteering for 6+ years, he served as the Youth Pastor from 2014-2017. He then served as the College & Growth Groups Pastor for 2 years until 2019. In Spring 2019, he took the role as Campus Pastor for the North County Campus. As Campus Pastor, he shepherds the people of Grace in the North County and helps oversee the week in and week out operations of the campus. Most recently Miles added the role of Executive Pastor where he oversees our Central Services staff and helps execute our multi-campus vision.
Miles has been married to Hannah since 2008 and they have four boys, Luke, Caleb, Seth, and Silas. He loves mountain biking, being outdoors, and drinking great coffee.
Ken Peet:
Ken trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at the age of 7, at home with his family. He made a key recommitment in his junior year of high school at Hume Lake Christian Camp. He graduated from Cal Poly in 1977, majoring in social sciences. He married Judi in 1978 and began serving high school students at Grace in 1979.
Ken and Judi have two grown children, Jennifer, who is married to Jake, and is on staff with Campus Crusade in Santa Barbara and Jeremy who is married to Elizabeth, and is on staff with Grace Bible Church in Arroyo Grande, CA.
Ken has served here at Grace as Youth Pastor from 1992-2007, Pastor of Family Ministries from 2007-2019, and as the SLO Campus Pastor (2019-2023). He now serves as the Care Pastor.
Chris Rhodes:
Chris grew up on the Central Coast, in Santa Maria, where his passion for leading God’s people in worship began. He then moved to Southern California, where he earned his bachelor's degree in worship leading from San Diego Christian College. He led worship for eight years in San Diego, Orange County, and at Hume Lake Christian Camps, where he met his wife Bobbie. Chris and Bobbie were married in 2016 and have four children: Kingsley, Maverick, Denver, and Haven.
Dori Iunker:
Dori has been the Kid’s Director at Grace Central Coast since 2001. She has a passion for foster care, adoption, and above all else showing children the love of Jesus Christ. Dori and her husband Larry have been married since 1984. They have five children; two of who were adopted through the foster care system. Over the years they have been blessed with loving and caring for 40 foster children.
Dori has a Bachelors Degree in Child and Family Development and a Masters Degree in Education: Counseling & Guidance. She has worked for the public school system and in the social work field working with at-risk youth. She is also a Trust-Based Relational (TBRI) Practitioner, helping to train foster and adoptive parents connect with the children in their care.
Darren Nelson:
Darren was born and raised in Northern California. In college, he began serving in youth ministry at his local church, and after graduating college, entered seminary. During seminary, he taught Bible classes full-time at a Christian school, and began leading the college & young adult ministry at his local church. In 2019, Darren earned his MDiv from The Cornerstone Seminary in Vallejo and moved to SLO to join the team at Grace Central Coast.
Darren and Lauren were married in 2016 and love traveling together. A few of Darren’s favorite things besides Jesus, the Bible, and Lauren are: basketball, golf, wakeboarding, reading, listening to old vinyl records, and laughing with friends and family.
Jessica Jantos:
Jess grew up in the midwest and got her BSN in nursing from Calvin College. She met her husband Jeff in Colorado where she worked as a nurse for several years. The Lord called them to SLO in 2011. They attended Fall Kick-Off at Grace one of their first Sundays in town and immediately loved the church. They have 4 kids: Emma, Gabe, Michael, and Annie. Throughout her time at Grace, Jess served as a Bible study leader and started the Moms Connect (formally MOPS) group at Grace in 2017. She joined staff in 2020 and has loved leading the women at Grace Central Coast. When she's not working, you can find her running, riding, or restoring old furniture.
Al Streder:
Al, Tanya and their three children, Paul, Jordan & Katie, came to Grace in June, 1992. After earning his Bachelors of Music in 1977, he taught music in the public schools-one year in the Chicago area and three in the San Jose area. During the 70's Al and Tanya were quite involved in the touring ministry of the Continental Singers, and in late 1981 Al accepted a position in the Continental office, where he worked through the end of 1989. While with the Continentals he also served as music director at a small Baptist Church. Al and Tanya have been able to work and serve together in and outside of the church. Both are members of the SLO Symphony and also involved as coaches with SLO Youth Symphony.
Marina Garcia:
Marina is a Cal Poly graduate with a degree in Child Development and Psychology. She and her family have called Grace Central Coast their church home since 2014. Passionate about working with children, Marina embraced the opportunity to get involved with the GraceKids ministry and also follow God's call to become a licensed foster family. After several years of serving as a volunteer at the children's ministry, Marina joined the SLO Campus staff as the Early Childhood Coordinator in 2020.
Morgan Crawford:
Morgan grew up in Easton, CA and began attending a Southern Baptist Church at 14 years old. At age 16, Morgan became a follower of Christ and was involved in CRU throughout college, leading Bible studies, running outreaches, and attending a summer internship in Detroit’s inner city.
Morgan graduated with a BA in social work and a minor in conflict/peace studies. After a few years of working in Fresno, he began a 16-year career working with at-risk and foster youth while volunteering in youth ministry at Grace Central Coast. In 2021 Morgan took over the position of Youth Coordinator at our North County Campus, and in 2023, he became the Assistant Campus Pastor.
Morgan married Kathleen Crawford in 2009, and together they have 3 daughters. He enjoys woodworking, kayak fishing, and figuring out his next side hustle.
Ethan Lee:
Ethan was born and raised in Sacramento, California, where he trusted Jesus as his savior. He moved to the Central Coast in 2018 to attend Cal Poly, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, with an emphasis in Organizations. Ethan called Grace Central Coast his church home during his college years. He gained a newfound passion for ministry during his stints as the Worship Intern, Facilities Manager, Tech Coordinator, and now Youth Coordinator at the Five Cities Campus. As someone who encountered a relationship with Jesus in middle school, he recognizes the importance of building relationships and teaching the Gospel to students.
Ben Ernstrom:
Ben grew up in San Luis Obispo and has been blessed to be part of the Grace Central Coast family for his entire life. He came to faith in Jesus Christ at a young age and has enjoyed Him ever since. In June of 2024 he married his wife Erin. Both Ben and Erin love SLO and all it has to offer.
Ben served as the SLO Middle School Coordinator from 2022-2024. He then took the role as the SLO High School Director in the summer of 2024. Ben graduated from Cal Poly in 2023 and is currently a student at Western Seminary. When free time comes around, Ben enjoys running, playing on the church softball team, fishing, drinking coffee, or reading books.
Bret Martin:
Bret Martin is a disciple of Jesus Christ, committed to Gospel multiplication through equipping, empowering, and investing in reproductive disciples of Jesus Christ. Bret has over 20 years of pastoral, teaching, and ministry experience—and finds it an honor to participate in the life-transforming work of the Gospel. He loves Jesus, Jesus’ Bride, and those who don’t yet know Jesus. Bret serves on the Executive Team of Grace Central Coast and is the Five Cities Campus Pastor. Bret and his lovely wife Molly have three young sons—Brock, Brody, and Beckham. Together the Martins enjoy people, family, friends, hiking, surfing, camping, coffee, and good BBQ.
Courtney Theis:
Courtney grew up in Orange County and moved to San Luis Obispo in the fall of 2020 to attend Cal Poly. After attending a GraceCollege park hangout, she began to attend Grace more regularly. As a student, Courtney served on the college leadership team and eventually as a college intern her senior year. After graduating in June 2024, she accepted a full time position at Grace, serving in two of her passions: Events and College Ministry. In her free time, you can find Courtney at Field Day Coffee, playing volleyball, or just hanging with her friends. The thing she loves most about her job is working with people as well as getting to see firsthand how God is working in the life of our church.
Susee Glover:
Susee joined our staff in 2021 and currently works as our North County Campus Admin and Women's Ministry Admin.
Bethany Vazquez:
Bethany got connected with Grace Central Coast when she moved to San Luis Obispo in 2020. In 2022, she joined Grace staff as Communications Coordinator. She has experience in marketing and journalism and loves the chance to see God at work in the Central Coast community. She married Tommy Vazquez in 2023 and enjoys taking photos, painting, and gardening.
Will Harington:
Will Harington was born and raised in Templeton, on the ranch his family has lived on for five generations. He and his wife Jenna have been married since June of 2013 and have four children: Liam, Emma, Elijah, and Lauren. Will has had a relationship with Jesus his whole life and grew up regularly attending church. He first began volunteering in various church ministries in high school. Ever since then, he has served on several church leadership teams and helped with many outreaches. He has served in ministries that range from youth to media and everything in between.
Luke Ernstrom:
Luke was born and raised in San Luis and has been attending the SLO campus his whole life. Growing up, he was a part of Grace's AWANA program as well as its middle school and high school groups. He is now blessed to be serving as a staff member. He began working at Grace as a facilities assistant in 2021, later adding the role of tech coordinator. He currently attends Cal Poly as a computer science major. Luke enjoys eating good food, playing music, and overthinking movie plots with his friends.
Gavin Strauch:
Gavin started going to Grace during his first year at Cal Poly. He loved the college ministry and met so many great friends there! He is from south Orange County, and he has one older sister. Gavin loves playing all kinds of sports, reading, and hanging out with his friends. He is honored to be able to shepherd and minister to the middle school students at the SLO Campus. It is such a blessing and a privilege!
Jeniene White:
Jeniene grew up in SLO and has worked at Grace Central Coast since 2014. She enjoys being able to work for people passionate about serving the Lord and His creation. Jeniene accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior at a young age and has been involved at church her entire life. Her various volunteer ministries over the years have involved leading Bible studies, discipleship, leading worship, and operating a sound board. She has been abroad many times on short term mission trips to Mexico, Haiti, and Guatemala, and has helped put on the Perspectives class (A comprehensive study course about God's global purpose) here in SLO a number of times. Jeniene graduated cum laude from Cal Poly with a degree in computer engineering with an emphasis in computer graphics. Previous jobs include video creation for an aerospace defense company, graphic design for a video simulation training company, Photoshop editing for a wedding photographer, and working as a ropes course facilitator at a Christian camp. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, dancing, and gardening.
Mason Gray:
Mason was born in SLO County and raised in Mukilteo, Washington. He came to a trusting faith in Jesus his freshman year of college as part of Grace Central Coast's college ministry in 2021. Mason is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree and is enjoying living and surfing in SLO's North County. Mason's parents, Troy & Janette, and his brother, Caden, also attend Grace. His sister and brother-in-law, Isabella & Jared, are living in the Portland area.
In his free time, Mason enjoys beach volleyball, surfing, pickle-ball, and baking. He is passionate about golfing, and is working on honing his skills. As the North County High School Coordinator, Mason deeply enjoys the intentional times of discipleship with his high school boys and resting in the power of Scripture for all walks of life.
