Deacons &
Ministry Leaders
DEACONS
Our deacons serve as official servants of the church. Deacons differ from our pastors in that they are not required to teach; their ministry roles are oriented in directions of mercy, service, and administration, rather than leading through teaching. Deacons may or may not be paid staff.
Chris Eckenrode
Building and Grounds
Chris oversees the church building and grounds in terms of maintenance and construction. He is also a Fellowship Group Leader and a Financial Team Member. He is a professional civil engineer who has a degree from The Pennsylvania State University and works for a consulting firm in Altoona, PA. He and his wife, Randi, have three children and live in Indiana Borough.
Jim Rice
Ushers
Jim oversees the Ushers Ministry at Saving Grace Church. He is also a member of the Financial Team. Jim is an IUP Graduate and a Vietnam Veteran. He is recently retired after being an independent business owner in Indiana, PA. He has been a member of Saving Grace Church for over 30 years. He and his wife, Heather, have four adult children and five grandchildren.
If you are interested in serving as an Usher, click to apply here.
Andrew Wallwork
Finances
Andrew is retired from S&T Bank where he worked for 30 years. Andrew and his wife, Patty, were at the first organizational meeting for the church in June of 1978 and have been members ever since. Andrew currently serves on the financial team and is the church treasurer. Together, he and Patty have 4 daughters, 4 sons-in-law, and 7 grandchildren.
adam jones
fellowship groups
Adam Jones is the Deacon for Fellowship Groups at Saving Grace Church. Adam has worked at IUP in the Division of Student Affairs since 2010 and has served the church in various roles since then. He has been a teacher in Kids Cove, a member of the polity team, on the advisory board, and previously served in the role of Deacon for Fellowship Groups. Adam has a Master's Degree in Higher Education and Leadership from Geneva College and is currently working toward his Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies at IUP. He and his wife, Melissa, live in Indiana with their four kids.
Ministry Leaders
Melissa Mccracken
Children's Ministry
Melissa, who is currently serving as the Children's Ministry Interim Director, has been a teacher in Children's Ministry for numerous years, and currently organizes meals for the Young Adult Fellowship Group. She has been a stay-at-home homeschooling mom for 23 years. She completed her teaching degrees at IUP and has her masters in education from the University of Pittsburgh. Melissa and her husband, Keith, have been members of the church since 1997; they have seven children and live in the Homer City area.
If you are interested in serving in the Kids' Cove, click to apply here.
Bob Reiter
First Impressions Ministry
Bob Reiter is a realtor for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. He is the Ministry Leader for the First Impression Team. He oversees the Greeters, Welcome Center, SGC café & coffee bar, SG101 classes and much more. He and his wife Debbie have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
If you are interested in serving on the First Impressions Team, click to apply here.
Doug Brown
Prayer Team Leader
Doug and his wife, Sue, attended Saving Grace Church during their college days, way back in the late 70s, when the Church was called Indiana Christian Fellowship. Following their college days, after living in other places for about 7 years, they returned to Indiana excited to attend the church again, which was now called Lord of Life Church. The church has had as many names as they have had kids! All of their four kids (the oldest now 37 and the youngest now 28) have been raised in this church. Doug worked at First Commonwealth bank from 1988 until 1921 as an auditor. He is now retired, and is so very grateful for this church.