Grace City Staff Leadership
Grace City Church is grateful to have a staff leadership team who are truly dedicated to Christ and committed to accomplishing His will. Following are brief bio's of our leadership team and their love for people and ministry!
Danny Bennett
Lead Pastor
Danny and his wife Karen have lived in Pinellas County since 1999. They have two grown children. Their son, Hunter, is the Pre-Teen Pastor at 3-Circle Church in Fairhope, Alabama, and he is married to Abby (who is also in ministry); together, they have a one-year-old son, Mac. Their daughter, Kayleigh, is a kindergarten teacher at Countryside Christian Academy.
In April of 2022, God surrounded Danny and Karen with a strong, committed core group of people who desperately desired to launch a new church in North Pinellas County. In a short four months, that church became known as "Grace City Church." Danny and Karen desire to lead a church where Family Ministries are a priority! A place where preschoolers, children, students, and adults find community, encouragement, and a deep, passionate faith in Jesus Christ. A church where the worship is authentic, the message is practical, and the people are real. As we like to say at Grace City Church... "Welcome Home!"
Danny graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and his Master of Arts in Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX.
Karen graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Samford, where they met in 1987. Karen coordinates the Women's Ministry at Grace City and enjoys teaching Women's Bible Studies.
Tom Hudgins
Associate Pastor
Tom and Karen Hudgins love people! People are truly their passion! Tom has served as a Student Pastor in Alabama and in Clearwater, Florida. In 2000, Tom went full-time leading a ministry called Judgement House which he started in 1983. Judgement House is a walk-through gospel presentation about people's choices and the consequences of those choices, both in this life and the next. Judgement Houses have literally been presented in churches all over the world, with hundreds of thousands of people accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. Tom and his wife Karen have also planted a church in Pinellas County and Tom served in a local church as campus pastor. As Grace City's Associate Pastor, Tom will give direct leadership to Men's Ministry, Discipleship, Groups and Assimilation. Both Tom and Karen are gifted speakers and singers and, from time to time, lead worship as well. Overall you will never meet a more welcoming and encouraging couple than Tom and Karen Hudgins! We are beyond grateful to have them leading and serving at Grace City!
Lara Allen
Student Ministry Leader
Lara has a heart for students, growing them spiritually and pointing them to Jesus. She is no stranger to this age group, as she and her husband have three teenage children at home. Lara teaches the truth of God's Word, helps students develop a Biblical worldview, and offers fun and exciting events to build and foster relationships.
Arielle Funk
Children's Team Leader
Arielle is married to Todd Funk and they have two young boys. She has her Master of Arts in Teaching and taught elementary school in Florida for 9 years. She is currently a stay at home/prek homeschooling mom and author of an early childhood curriculum blog. She is super excited to bring her passion for education together with her passion for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through Grace City Kids!
Keith Scott
Men's Ministry
Keith Scott leads the "Frontline Men's Ministry" of Grace City. Keith has a deep passion to train, equip and encourage men to be the spiritual leaders GOD has called and designed them to be. Keith was born in Jamaica and raised in England. Keith is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and also from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Keith has worked with Promise Keepers as well as other Men's Ministries within local churches. Keith and his wife Kathy have 6 children.
Haley Echevarria
Preschool Team Leader
Haley grew up in Tarpon Springs and has a deep love for the community. You can find Haley usually wearing a silly hat or with a puppet in hand! Haley has had the privilege of working with preschoolers for many years now and her biggest joy comes from seeing them learn and grow. She believe the preschool ministry is about loving and serving the little ones but also about loving their families!
Solei Dyment
Connections Team Leader
Solei Dyment is all about people! She loves welcoming people and helping people find their place to connect at Grace City Church. Solei leads a wonderful team of volunteers who literally stand ready to assist, inform and encourage people who are new at Grace City Church. Solei and her husband Mark have two high school boys. Solei also enjoys teaching women's Bible studies. Her love for people comes from her love for the Lord!
Maggie Leslie
Cafe Team Leader
Maggie greatest gift is hospitality! She deeply believes the cafe is a ministry to the people of Grace City Church. Maggie and her wonderful team of volunteers love welcoming people and making them feel at home. Her greatest joy is to serve others and bring a smile to people's faces. So, visit our cafe where the coffee is always free. We also offer "Hole-In-One" gourmet doughnuts for purchase.
Coming Soon!
Worship Leader
We are currently looking for an authentic and dynamic worship leader for Grace City Church. For more information or to apply for the position, contact danny@gracecitychurch.com.
Kevin Sexton
International Misson's Team Leader
Kevin Sexton has partnered with Spero International Medical Missions and Caribbean Hyperbaric Medicine to provide the needed medical supplies and equipment to meet the needs in the Caribbean and other international projects. Kevin has led teams to Grenada for many years and will focus the mission teams of Grace City Church to meet the needs of people both medically and spiritually.
Dennis James
Local Missions Team Leader
Dennis and his wife Laura are called to local missions. It's in every beat of their heart. They live out Grace City's mission statement which is, "Grow in grace, love like Jesus and go share Him with the world." There are local needs in every community. Grace City Church is committed to being the hands and feet of Jesus! From church-wide serve projects to individual mentoring opportunities, Dennis is always looking, thinking and praying for how God's people can make a difference in someone else's life.