Our Staff

Lead Team

Rich Phipps

Lead Pastor

1. How do you serve the church community?

My primary roles include preaching, directing the Lead Team and casting vision for the church. I also love a good volleyball game with our Youth!

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

Together with my wife, Marsha, God called us to plant a nondenom church in the Irwin area. And…here we are!

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

I LOVE preaching God’s Word! Our weekend experiences are fun and exciting…there’s so much energy in the room. And to have a part in that…I love it!

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

My favorite times are spent with my family…hiking, running, camping. But given the chance, you’ll find me in the woods or on the water. I’m an avid archery hunter and love casting for trout in our mountain streams.

5. What’s a piece of advice or encouragement you’d share with the congregation?

Don’t miss what Jesus offers! What Jesus offers you is so much more than what you can find on your own. Let’s explore His Plan for your life!

As we watch God move, let’s be ready to move with Him! Our vision is to launch dynamic, outward facing churches in communities that need Jesus.

6. Why is serving others important to you?

First, I love people. And serving them feels natural to me. Also, this is what Jesus modeled and commanded. When people see and experience Jesus’ love in action, it opens opportunities to talk about Him and why He matters.

Marsha Phipps

NxtGen Director

1. How do you serve the church community?

I serve Grace Collective by leading the NxtGen ministry. This includes ages 0-18. My purpose is to help all ages and their families to Learn, Love, and Live Jesus.

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

God led me into this role by placing on my heart the desperate need to help the next generation to know and love Jesus with their families. There are so many things that draw attention away from Jesus and I believe the church can help to bring Jesus into a family's daily life and not just on Sundays.

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

My favorite role of the NxtGen director is being able to follow my passion to help kids and parents to feel Jesus' love and really get to know Him and live for Him.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Some of my hobbies are walking my three dogs, thinking of fun things for my rabbit to do, reading, golfing and cultivating friendships.

5. What’s a piece of advice or encouragement you’d share with the congregation?

I would love to encourage GC’s congregation to take the time to read the Bible, memorize Scripture, and have time with Jesus everyday. There is absolutely nothing like having Him as your Savior and best friend in this life! He brings excitement and adventure to life as well as help in hope when times are hard.

Jonathan Curry

Executive Pastor

1. How do you serve the church community?

I serve as the executive pastor at Grace Collective Church, focusing on building systems and structures that help our church thrive. I’m passionate about connecting people to their next steps in faith, whether through small groups, serving opportunities, or helping them discover their spiritual gifts.

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

I’ve been passionate about church planting and helping people experience the love of Jesus in fresh ways. Grace Collective’s mission to create a welcoming space for everyone is a part of the gospel that I think often gets mishandled in churches today. I also love our vision to give to other organizations and churches who are also out there winning souls for Jesus so joining the team felt like the perfect opportunity to make a difference in our community.

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

I love seeing lives transformed. Whether it’s someone getting baptized, finding community in Life Groups, or stepping into leadership for the first time, those moments remind me why we do what we do.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

My wife Stacie and I love spending time as a family, which often means cheering from the sidelines or bleachers at youth sporting events. You’ll usually find us at one of Josh’s football games—he’s a long snapper—or supporting our daughter at a volleyball or soccer match. When we’re not at games, I enjoy relaxing on the couch watching the Steelers or a good series, catching a movie on the big screen, and just unwinding with my family. Basically, if “professional spectator” were a job, I’d be in the Hall of Fame.

5. What’s a piece of advice or encouragement you’d share with the congregation?

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things when we’re willing to trust Him. Keep taking steps forward in faith, even when it’s uncomfortable. You never know how God will use your obedience to make a difference in someone else’s life.

NXT Gen

Maggie James

Administrative Assistant to the NXTGen Director

1. How do you serve the church community?

My role at Grace Collective is to assist the NXTGen Director with planning, implementing and executing the vision of the NXTGen Ministry. I do that by assisting with the curriculum planning and preparation, attending to the details of the team of volunteers and the children/youth of NXTGen and by performing additional support duties.

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective? At Grace Collective's first meeting, Pastor Rich included a teaching on the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Luke 15:3-7 During that same meeting, Marsha taught on the Parable of the Lost Coin. Luke 15:8-10 I immediately realized I was in a church that loved Jesus and people. From that moment, I wanted to focus my time and energy to help the team at Grace Collective fulfull the mission and vision for the church in the local community and the world.

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

My favorite part of my role is helping to pour the love of Jesus into the hearts of the children. It is so rewarding to watch them grow in their faith as they nurture and experience their own personal relationship with Jesus.

4. What’s a piece of advice or encouragement you’d share with the congregation?

Prayer, worship and God's word is the source of our strength and power. He loves us and wants to fellowship with us and we can do that through prayer and worship. God also speaks to us in his Word. If you ever feel discouraged, this Scripture can provide you with God's peace knowing He has a plan for you! "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

5. Why is serving others important to you?

Jesus set the example for us to follow. We are to love God and love people and I do love both! Mark 12:30-31 Serving God by helping and doing for others is how we show God's love and provide for His people. Serving is not always about doing great things, it includes doing small things with great love! My favorite Scripture on serving is "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards to God's grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

Tina Cilli

Crew Jr. Coordinator

1. How do you serve the church community?

Work with the Crew jr volunteers and coordinate the schedule to make sure we have volunteers in the nursery and toddler room for both services every Sunday. Work on the curriculum each week ,make sure we have all the supplies ready for the volunteers. check supplies ( snack, cups, water, wipes and cleaning supplies). Meet with Marsha and Maggie twice a month to discuss upcoming events, coordinate the Think orange curriculum and themes for Crew jr.

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

I have always had a passion for working with children. I loved seeing what Marsha and Maggie were doing with the kids and wanted to be a part of it.

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

My favorite part is working directly with the little ones and watching how they grow and love Jesus.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time I like to read, bake and spend time with my family.

5. What’s a piece of advice or encouragement you’d share with the congregation?

Two words of advice, when you prioritize your church life the rest just falls into place. If you are thinking about volunteering you should just do it.... It was the best decision I ever made. It led to being part of a great team.

Worship & Tech

Alissa Garcia

Creative Worship Director

What do you do at Grace Collective?

I lead the worship team in all capacities: leading worship at most services, handling administrative tasks such as scheduling and set list planning, helping to plan and execute special events, and training of new team members and development of current team members.

1. How do you serve the church community?

I serve the church community by creating an atmosphere of worship where all feel welcomed - whether they have been in church all their lives and know every song or this is the first time they've walked through the doors of a church.

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

I was inspired to join the team at Grace Collective because of their truth-based preaching, their desire to serve the local and global community, and the loving and welcoming atmosphere I experienced when I attended.

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

My favorite part of my role is working together with the worship team to build a worship service that is scripturally-sound and makes the congregation feel welcome and able to fully participate.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I love spending time with my family, working on our mini farm, cooking & baking, travelling and exploring other cultures. I am a financial advisor by day, so I also love planning and helping my clients set and achieve their goals, while developing deep relationships with them.

5. What’s a piece of advice or encouragement you’d share with the congregation?

Whether you are dancing and singing during worship, or sitting and soaking it in, you are a participant. Don't ever feel like your worship has to look like anyone else's. It is between you and the God who created you and loves you as you are.

6. Why is serving others important to you?

Serving others is important to me because we are commanded to do so by God. Jesus was the ultimate servant leader, so I strive to replicate Him in all areas of my life, including my position as Creative Worship Director.

Brian Curry

Technical Director

1. How do you serve the church community?

I am the technical director and I love working with my team and all the parts that nobody ever really sees. Such as the cameras, PA system etc… I always tell my team that if nobody notices us we have done our job.

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

From the moment I walked in the doors at Grace Collective I wanted to be a part of this place. In my position I get a kind of Birds Eye view of the service and I really get to see God moving here in this place.

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

I love working with my team and helping everyone sound their best.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love to spend time with my wife, Meredith, and son, John. When I have time I also love to get in the woods and do a bit of off roading.

Sonnet Woodrow McFadden

Assistant Worship Leader

I am Sonnet Woodrow McFadden and I serve as the assistant worship leader at GC. I have the privilege of guiding the worship team and congregation into praise and worship 2 to 3 Sundays a month.

1. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

I feel inspired by this team's love for Christ, and love for each other. Grace collective welcomed me with open arms and it has filled me with so much joy. I couldn't have asked for a better team and church family to serve with.

2. What is your favorite part of your role?

I love to worship! My favorite part of leading others into worship is when I can help the congregation engage in the presence of God, and I just love to poor out my heart for Jesus. I also enjoy the musicality of worship, and bringing my best efforts every Sunday.

3. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, my sister, and spoiling my two sweet puppies. I also very much enjoy skiing in the winter!

4. Why is serving others important to you?

Serving others is very important to me because I always want to strive to be more like Jesus. As a worship leader I can use the gifts God has given me to give it back to him and encourage freedom to praise God openly without fear.

Hospitality

Stacie Curry

Hospitality Coordinator

1. What do you do at Grace Collective?

I am the Hospitality Coordinator! I get to recruit, train and schedule our parking crew, greeters and ushers. I also decorate the church for holidays and I am part of the planning team for special events. Lastly, I do administrative work such as data entry, filing and organizing.

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

GC is a place that I love to be so it was an easy decision! I saw it as a chance to get to know others in our church.We have an amazing team of volunteers and I think they do a great job making our first time visitors feel welcomed.

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

I absolutely love my role at GC because I get to meet new people and show them how amazing our church is. I also love to organize so I really enjoy the organizing part of my administrative duties.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I am happiest when I'm spending time with my husband Jonathan and our two children. We love spending time at the beach but just spending time together at the house playing cards or watching movies is what I really enjoy.

Mackenzie

Café Manager

1. What do you do at Grace Collective?

As Café Manager, I keep our weekly operations running smoothly and make sure everyone has a great experience when they visit! I love coming up with creative new drinks and menu items to keep things fresh. Working with a team is one of my favorite parts of the job—I believe in creating a collaborative environment and leading by example. I also handle training and scheduling for our amazing volunteers, making sure they feel ready and supported for each shift. It’s all about keeping things welcoming in the café!

2. What inspired you to join the team at Grace Collective?

I have always loved coffee, from making my own 'cup of joe' at home to being a barista and a manager at two different cafes. I have also always loved connecting and building relationships with people, bringing a smile to people's faces whenever I can. When Grace Collective moved into our current building, I knew working in the cafe was the right position for me. Not only do I get to make coffee, but I also get to talk to and connect with all who come to worship!

3. What is your favorite part of your role?

The people I interact with, whether it is the volunteers or the church family.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy my time outdoors: Hiking, archery, kayaking, and hammocking. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

5. Why is serving others important to you?

I am on this earth for the Glory of God. I am called to spread the word of Jesus Christ and create disciples of all nations. That is why I serve, I am not on this earth for my own benefit or to 'create a name' for myself. I am here to fill the Kingdom of God!