Neil is of Scottish heritage…100%…but did most of his growing up in Canada after his family immigrated there.  You won’t see him wearing a kilt anytime soon…mostly because they cost a lot and Scottish people are known to be cheap. He loves hockey and sports of all kinds. He and his lovely wife Karen enjoy the outdoors and feeding their passions of hiking and kayaking. As Lead Teaching Pastor he loves teaching the bible to the flock he is privileged to shepherd.  One of the best parts of his job is having long talks over coffee (or good food) as we share the adventure of our lives on this incredible journey. 

Canaan and his wife Ami have two children, Millie and Finn. Before joining the staff at GracePoint, he served at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and LifePoint Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He studied filmmaking before receiving his Masters in Theology. He loves connecting people to their Creator,  to others, and to their mission on Earth. You can instantly be on his good side with a huge cup of coffee, a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie, and a thrilling game of chess. 

Jordan is a Mississippi native raised in Oxford. He's been involved in ministry in many different ways for 20 years. He graduated from Mississippi College with a B.S. in Communication. After getting into ministry through Christian Camping, he went on to receive his MDiv. in Ministry Leadership at Columbia International Seminary. As Communications & Creative Director he loves connecting everyone to GracePoint, and everything we do to be Disciples of Jesus in Western North Carolina. You can find him with his wife and two kids at the Asheville Nature Center on Saturdays, or watching hockey (GO CAPS) or college football (HOTTY TODDY). 

Will Luther is a native of Elizabeth City, NC. He graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a degree in Youth Discipleship Studies & Missiology. He has previously served in several different areas of ministry including serving as a counselor at Camp Ridgecrest in Black Mountain, NC as well as a Youth Ministry Intern at Hope Community Church in Shelby, NC. His favorite things about youth ministry are: hanging out with students and seeing students come to know Christ. He also enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, and pickleball. 

Marty is a lifelong native of western North Carolina and attended Mars Hill University. After completing graduate school at Duke University, he returned to his alma mater in 2002 as a computer science professor and has been attending here ever since. Marty has been involved in church music in different capacities for more than 35 years as a pianist, vocalist, and worship leader. He is lucky to serve alongside his wife, Sarai, to lead the congregation in worship. They reside in the Mars Hill community with their son, Preston. 

Sarai is a Western North Carolina native from Sylva, NC. Thanks to a Reba McEntire cassette tape, she discovered a love for music and harmony singing at an early age. From there, she began singing in church and developed a passion for worship music. Since graduating from Western Carolina University, she has served in a variety of music ministries and currently serves alongside her husband, Marty, as they lead the GracePoint family in  worship each week. Sarai enjoys fonts, a color coded to-do list, and 90s music. She and her husband live in Mars Hill with their adorable son, Preston. 

Karen love kids!  It has been her joy to serve in Kid’s Ministry for over 35 years.  Her favorite things about working with kids are:  the way they engage with the Bible stories, their lack of a filter and their genuine zest for life.   She is an empty nester having raised 3 boys and loves all things outdoorsy and all things creative. 

Becca grew up in Florida before moving to Asheville with her husband, Darren, in 2008. She has served in children’s ministry in three different churches over the past 20 years. As Director of Preschool ministry, she is passionate about seeing children learn that God made them, God loves them, and that He wants to be their friend forever. Darren and Becca enjoy spending time outside with their four children as much as possible. 

Belinda is a native of Mars Hill.  She is a K-5 art teacher at Mars Hill Elementary School. Belinda has several years of experience working in children’s ministry.  She loves to make connections with her students and see their excitement as they learn more about Jesus.  Belinda enjoys being creative in her pastime and spending time with her family. 

James is a native of the Asheville area. He received his B.S. in Christian Ministry from Liberty University and attended Fruitland Bible College.  James is the facilities manager for both GracePoint locations, and also serves as the Mars Hill Campus Pastor.   He and his wife reside in the Mars Hill area with their four sons.  James enjoys being outdoors and loves to wet a hook when he gets a chance. 

As Care Pastor, Bob's ministry includes monthly visits to nursing homes, and home-bounds. He also is the primary Pastor for hospital and emergency room visits. In addition, he leads LEGACY (Senior Adult Life Group) that meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. He also coordinates all prayer requests brought to the GracePoint prayer team. His wife, Connie, retired from her nursing career in 2023 and is now serving with him in almost all visits and Legacy.  He likes hanging out with Connie B., and on Feb 1, 2024 she will have kept him for 55 years!

Our Director of Finance, Cassie, is a Western North Carolina local who has 8 years of accounting and finance experience. She is a Certified Public Accountant and new to the GracePoint team. She, along with her husband and two small boys are happiest outdoors and love to bring along their dog Draco on their outdoor adventures. 

Marian is a Georgia native, and has served alongside her husband in ministry for 43 years. During that time of service she saw a great need for childcare and established His Kids Childcare, now Growing In Grace Preschool. As the founder/director of the preschool for 24 years Marian enjoys sharing the gospel and showing the love of Jesus to all of the children and families in her care. When not at Growing In Grace she is spending time with her children and grandchildren, searching for a great deal (she is an expert couponer) or planning her and her husband’s next adventure out west. 

Blair was born and raised in NC, with roots from its coasts to mountains. She has been involved in church and children’s ministry for over 20 years. After obtaining her degree in Elementary Education she realized she had a passion for early learning and the importance of faith based education in young children.  As an Administrator  of Growing In Grace Preschool she loves connecting with families and embracing each and every ministering/teaching moment that she has with “her kids”. Since discovering a love of running, Blair can often be found jogging somewhere  around town or working on those paces in various races on the weekends. 

Gary joined GracePoint in 2001 (previously Woodland Hills), and has served in various ministry roles- including band director, Bible teacher, chairman of the pastoral search team, musician, group leader, and as a deacon.  He has served as an elder at GracePoint since  2017.

John became active at GracePoint in 2017 when Summit Church in Mars Hill, NC, merged with Woodland Hills Church to form
GracePoint. He has also led international short-term mission trips with Louder Than Words of  Gastonia, NC. He has served as an elder at GracePoint since  2023.