Grace UMC Staff

Our Church thrives because of the energy and style of the people who are a part of our leadership. Here are a few of the people that make our church special, along with a “Fun Fact” about each one that you may not know!

Rev. Drew Colby

Senior Pastor

Rev. Drew VanDyke Colby (Pastor Drew) is a lifelong Virginian and United Methodist. He has served as the Senior Pastor at Grace UMC since 2019. He and his wife Allison both graduated from the College of William and Mary. Drew went on to earn a Master Degree in music before attending Wesley Theological Seminary and…

Rev. Jessica Lunsford

Minister of Faith Formation, Congregational Care, and Community Engagement

Rev. Jessica Lunsford grew up in the small town of Big Stone Gap, VA. She experienced a call to ministry when she was in High School. She studied Human Development at Virginia Tech and then received her Masters of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary. She served on staff at Grace UMC as the Director of…

Rev. C. Milton Rodgers

Minister of Music and Organist

Rev. C. Milton Rodgers III is an ordained Deacon in the Virginia Conference and has served at Grace UMC since 1992. Rev. Milton coordinates the fifteen musical groups who offer their gifts at Grace as well as concerts and musical programs throughout the year. Having received his Masters and Bachelors of Church Music from Westminster…

Rachel Demharter

Director, Grace Children’s Learning Center

Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in special education from Liberty University. She lives in Bristow with her husband Tom and 5 children: Juliana, Keelan, Brianna, Noah and Tristan. Her passion in education is making sure it is inclusive for all students. In her spare time, Rachel likes to garden,…

Beth Brooks

Director of Church Operations

Beth is the point of contact at the church for all things related to the buildings and campus. Beth has a BS degree in Psychology from George Mason University and has 25+ years experience in Early Childhood Education which included managing a large staff and maintaining the health and safety of the building. Her life…

Debbie Cali

Director of Student Ministries

Debbie is passionate about connecting with young people where they are to help them explore their spiritual journey while developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. God calls us to action and Debbie helps provide opportunities to serve God and HIS kingdom, locally, nationally and internationally through missions. She is originally from New Orleans and loves…

Denise Childers

Director of Senior Adult Ministries

A retired elder in the Virginia Annual Conference, Denise is glad to be “back” at Grace, having served here as one of the pastors from 2001 through 2007. Her role as Director of Senior Adult Ministries provides a unique opportunity to provide leadership and to serve alongside older adults (55 and above) in the congregation…