who we are
Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep; His sheep know His voice and they follow Him.
He also appoints under-shepherds to guide His Church and serve as overseers of the flock. We have pastors, elders and deacons who have committed to love Jesus' sheep and tend each one.
Pastor Jerry arrived at Grace Presbyterian Church in January 2020. He has served as church planter, interim pastor and missions pastor at churches across the country, and he is ordained with our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Jerry, with his wife Stacey, has shepherded churches in North Carolina, Indiana, and now Maryland. They are parents to eight children, with three now in college. Their family called Indiana home for seven years, and they are excited to join us at Grace.
Nick came to Grace EP in 2016 to lead the youth and family ministry. He served as a youth director/Bible teacher at a church and a Christian school in NC two years before coming to Grace. Originally from the Chicago area, he has lived in a variety of places (Illinois, California, Iowa, North Carolina, and now Maryland). Sunday is his favorite day of the week because we come together to hear God speak to His people and we respond in prayer, praise, and worship. It's a weekly "family reunion" where we are transformed more and more into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Nick earned his BA in Theology from Moody Bible Institute and MDiv from Westminster Seminary, California. He's an avid baseball fan (go White Sox!), reader, podcast listener, and coffee drinker. He's married to his college sweetheart, Kirsten. They have a daughter Abigail and a chocolate lab named Luther.
Christy Chalfant
Office and Communications Manager
office@graceep.org
Christy came to the office at Grace in 2017 after managing office relations for many years in the Baltimore area. She enjoys serving in Sunday worship, including our music team at Grace. Christy has a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland in Catonsville. Having grown up in Davidsonville, she returned to the area in 2004 and lives with her husband and their cat, Luna. She enjoys classic movies, biking, working out with her sister, and Sunday dinners with their extended family.
officers of the congregation
ELDERS
Teaching Elders
Jerry Straight, Senior Pastor, Moderator of the Session
Nick Stalnos, Assistant Pastor Youth and Families
Ruling Elders
Neal Allen '22
Philip Mahaffey '21, Clerk of Session
Michael Moriarty '22
Steve Weber '21
James Wooddell '22
DEACONS
Michael Austin '21, Chairman
Matt Chwastyk '21
Dale Enzor '22
Tim Tasker '23
Sean Tavalozzi '23
Tristan Van Amber '22
