Randall D. Smith
Senior Pastor
Dr. Randall Smith is a respected Bible teacher who has lived and worked in the places of the Bible for more than a quarter of his Life. Randy studied in Jerusalem & holds degrees in Near East Archaeology & a Doctorate in Comparative Religion (Ph.D.). He has a thorough understanding of Biblical culture, history, geography & rabbinic teachings & is gifted in using that knowledge to focus on the practical aspects of our faith. He and his wife Dottie have three children and have lived in Sebring since 2002.
Dottie is an administrator for Global Vision Outreach, an international mission. She juggles office duties and care for her children, but loves being a hostess and serving on the worship team at Grace. Pastor Randy and Dottie keep a changing blog of their family and travels, Bible lessons, and church notes at their personal blog.
Matthew Wheelock
Administrative Pastor
Matt is the “man behind the programs” at Grace. He administrates most of the ministry operations, and watches over the quality of what we are doing. He is the all around “program guy”, and takes care of a myriad of details. He has developed a management style that involves building solid relationships with those who serve with him.
He holds a degree in Church Leadership from Southeastern University.
His wife Kris, a home grown Highlands County girl, certainly has a heart to serve. In addition to his tasks here in Sebring, he and Kris are currently traveling most weekends to our North Campus in Ocala to aid in the pastoral leading of our church family there.
Aaron Michaud
CE Pastor; Director of Great Commission Bible Institute
Aaron is a vital part of the work at Grace. He has been ministering in Highlands county through Sebring Grace since 2003. He oversees classes here at Grace. He has a passion to see the church develop a comprehensive biblical worldview. He holds a degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University.
He is also actively involved in teaching and discipling at Great Commission Bible Institute and has recently taken on the directorship. His love for the Word and his constant desire to encourage is contagious. After all, looks aren’t everything (just kidding…)! You can keep up with his thoughts on his blog.
His wife, Sara has a passion for music and hospitality. She uses private lessons as an opportunity to pour Truth and not just musical theory into the lives of students. She also picks up a lot of the “unexpected” ministry that pops up.
Ryan Gagnon
Director of Student Ministries
Ryan is the newest member of the team. He is currently working as the director of student ministries. He is working with church leadership on developing a plan for our children to get them from crib through high school with a vibrant walk with God and a biblical worldview. A tough task, but he is up for the challenge.
Ryan was raised here in Highlands county and graduated from Avon Park high school in 2002. He made the bold move of marrying Sarah Wheelock. He got a great wife, but a crazy brother-in-law (Pastor Matt). Sarah was in the military for 6 years and she and Ryan spent three of those years in Watertown, NY. The Lord used her deployment as a time to show them how much they needed Him in their lives.
David and Kirsten Nickisch
Great Commission Bible Institute Site Coordinators
David and Kirsten Nickisch are the on-site coordinators for the program. Both David and Kirsten are graduates of GCBI. David is a former math teacher from Montanta and Kirsten is a singer/ songwriter from Maui, Hawaii. They are coming off their first year of marriage spent on the road in an RV sharing Kirsten’s music with churches around the United States.
David and Kirsten live on campus with the full-time students. Logistically, they spend time creating meal plans & cleaning schedules, plugging students in to local churches, coordinating fundraisers, and organizing opportunities to expose students to various ministry experiences. Relationally, David and Kirsten have the specific privilege and responsibility of building intentional, discipleship relationships with the GCBI students throughout the year.
