The Grace Place

Pastor Rick’s ministry journey began as a senior in high school when, after making a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, he became aware that God had a special calling and purpose for his life – to serve as a pastor of a local church.  Since coming to the Grace Place in 1993, Rick has a compelling awareness that God has him right where he called him to be.  He believes that each of his previous ministry experiences up to this point have been part of God’s preparation process to serve this great church.

“I believe that one of the primary reasons that I am on this earth is the serve as the Senior Pastor of the Grace Place Church.  There are many things that God can call us to do in ministry, but I believe that my primary calling and purpose in life is to serve this church.  I do not see what I do as a job.  I see it as my primary purpose and calling in life.”

Since graduating from Bible College in 1979, Pastor Rick has served four churches in Michigan, Ohio, and Alabama before coming to serve as senior pastor of The Grace Place Community Church in 1993.  Pastor Rick has an M.A. in Ministry from Moody Graduate School in Chicago.  His primary ministry focus is to take biblical truth and apply it through preaching and teaching in practical and relevant ways to impact the lives of seekers and believers.  He also believes it is extremely important to develop ministries that influence and impact the whole family.

“One of our objectives at the Grace Place is to provide a meaningful life-changing ministry to the entire family. We place a high priority not only on our weekend services but also on our GraceKids ministry, Student Ministries, Young Adults, Small Groups, Celebrate Recovery and Ministry to Singles.  All of our ministries are constantly in the state of development, re-evaluation, and fine-tuning. To find out more about our ministries and our ministry leaders please explore our Staff Page.”

Rick and his wife Karon have been married since August 1974.  For their entire ministry journey, Karon has been a true partner in ministry serving in a variety of capacities in the various churches they have pastored.  Rick and Karon have two sons and four grandkids.  Rick’s primary interests outside of our church are his grandchildren, Ryan, Talia, Bentley, and Karlie.  In fact, he has said many times that his favorite people in the world are his grandchildren and his favorite title is “Papa”.  

Rick is a car buff and loves to cruise in his restored 1990 GMC pickup truck.  In fact, as he says, “My idea of a symphony is 8 cylinders in perfect harmony.”  Both he and Karon also enjoy recharging and spending time in their place in Northeast Alabama.  Rick enjoys doing just about anything outdoors including fishing and hunting.

One of his life verses is Jeremiah 29:11, “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. “

As the pastor of The Grace Place “I personally welcome you to consider becoming part of the Grace Place family.  On the first Sunday of each month we have our First Connection Luncheon which enables my wife Karon and I to get better acquainted with you and with other recent attendees of the church.  Every three months I teach two membership classes, the first is an introduction to The Grace Place Church and in that class I lay out our vision, church DNA and a brief overview of what God has been doing in this part of His Kingdom since 1993.  The second class is where you have the opportunity to officially join The Grace Place Church and find the right place to utilize your spiritual and God-given talents to serve in one of our ministries.  Welcome to The Grace Place Church, where we celebrate God’s Grace every day! – Pastor Rick

Eric accepted Christ a week before his 16th birthday and immediately felt a call to full time ministry which changed his direction in life 180 degrees. He attended Kingswood University for a year and finished up his ministry training at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Palm Beach, FL. It was here where he met his wife Blanca who was earning her master’s Degree in Elementary Education at the time.

Eric began serving with the Grace Place as a part-time middle school pastor. The position quickly turned to full-time as Eric and his wife Blanca worked with middle school students for the next 7 years. He then began to work in the Creative Arts and Tech area, out of necessity, and found a passion for it. Today, he works with the drama, video, sound, and related worship arts as well as a recovery ministry for teenagers called the Landing.

Eric and Blanca have two children, Ryan who is 15 and Karlie who is 8. As far as hobbies, Eric enjoys fishing, hunting, writing novels, and just about anything outdoors. He and Blanca both enjoy scuba diving and Eric, himself, is actually a certified rescue diver.

Life Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

“Worship is more than music. It’s how we live, so any place of service is an act of worship. This is a great entry point to serving the church.”

-Pastor Eric Addison

Pastor J Dub aka “Jeff Williams” was introduced to Jesus at a high school Bible study that he was invited to by his older brother, Jeremy, in the 9th grade.  Since then, he has made it his goal to serve Jesus with his life.  Going into full-time ministry was never the goal, but being a full-time minister was always the goal!  J Dub believes that serving Jesus is vital whereever you are in life - no matter what your day job is!  

J Dub graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a major in Biblical Studies and a minor in Business.  After graduating, J Dub spent many years in the business world managing teams and developing business.  All the while, J Dub stayed extremely active in the local church and also ministered through music with his talents as a rapper.

J Dub’s music has given him the opportunity to minister in every denomination by performing all over the United States at churches, festivals and on television.  Music is a great tool to capture attention and very quickly start a dialogue on faith.  J Dub has recorded 4 albums and is currently working on his fifth project “The 5 Album”.   

J Dub actively serves once a month at the Martin County Jail performing a church service in the facility.  He previously served as a children’s pastor, spent many years as a volunteer youth leader, and ran a young adults program for people in their 20’s.     

J Dub has been married to his wife Susan since 1997, and they have two children Eden and Jalynn.  

“Coming on staff at The Grace Place was a very divine event, and I truly feel in God’s will being here as a Pastor.  If I had to sum up my life in one verse, it would be this “…whatever you do do it all for the glory of God”  1Cor 10:31."

It is my blessed privilege to serve in the role of Director of The Grace Place Preschool.  I am so excited to see what God has for us in the year ahead as we partner together in the care and education of your precious children. 

 I have served in Christian Education as an elementary teacher for almost 30 years.  My husband and I were blessed with three children and now eight grandchildren.  Ministering to children has been my passion and my mission.  Jesus places great value on children.  He instructed His disciples to allow the children to come to Him, “for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”  I am delighted to be entrusted with this part of His ministry.

We are promised in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has a special plan for each of us and that His plan is for us to be successful and prosper.  One of the most effective tools for successful partnering is to have good communication.  Please feel free to address any problems or concerns with me as quickly as they arise.  I am looking forward to serving you and your children.

Judy Jackson

Suzanne has been on staff at The Grace Place since 1999. Suzanne started out as Director of Finance for 14 years and later became Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor, and now leads the Single Adult Ministries. Suzanne feels blessed to be a part of what God is doing and to be on the team.

Suzanne committed her life to Jesus Christ at The Grace Place in 1996. She is married to Arthur Adams and has 4 children, Eli, Emily, Danny and Matthew, and two grandchildren, Claire and Chloe-Anne.  Suzanne was born in Massachusetts, moved to Kentucky at age 12 and has been a Florida resident since 1979.

Suzanne enjoys women’s bible studies and the discipline of staying in the word. She loves travel, reading, movies and board games.

 Life Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “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.”

Karon’s ministry journey began as a young girl in northeast Alabama where after coming to know Christ as her personal Savior and serving in her local church she rededicated her life as a junior in High School to follow wherever Christ led her.  This path led to a Bible College where she met her future husband Rick the first year there.  They were married one year later, on August 23rd, 1974. 

One of the defining times early in their relationship was when Rick asked Karon a question, “would she have anything against serving in ministry because that was the call or purpose God had for his life”.  At the young age of 19, I agreed to this earthly journey called ministry!!  That is the beginning of our 45+year journey as a married couple in ministry and serving 40 of those years in full-time ministry together.  “ONLY GOD”!!!

“I believe the old hymn “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us” that we had sung at our wedding was heartfelt and heaven heard!!  I see a pattern of seeking His Way and His Will making the tapestry of our lives what they are today!! 

 I believe God has enabled me to serve alongside my husband and Pastor in whatever capacity was needed at the time as I have relied on strength beyond my own!! My life verse is- Philippians 4:13-

 “I (Karon) can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Karon is on staff at The Grace Place Community Church and has a BA in Christian Education and a Master of Ministry from Moody Graduate School.  Karon is the Director of First Impressions, Prayer, Women’s and Primetimers (60+) ministries. 

 She enjoys reading, travel, movies, baking, and most of all being a Grammy to grandchildren- Ryan born in 2004, Talia born in 2007, Bentley born in 2010, Karlie born in 2011.  

“I look forward to meeting you. I am around at all services and excited to get connected so we can grow in our walk with Christ through bible studies and life-changing events.” -Karon Addison

Stephanie has been a member and worked at The Grace Place since 2002. During her years at The Grace Place she has served in many areas. Stephanie started out as the receptionist when we opened our Celebration Center in 2002. Later she became the Office Manager and served in that capacity for over 5 years. In 2005 our Celebrate Recovery ministry was started and she jumped at the opportunity to direct that ministry. Her heart is with helping hurting people with any hurt, habit or hang up. She has dealt with recovery issues in her family for the past several years and knows that this is the ministry she was born to do. Stephanie now serves fulltime in Celebrate Recovery and loves every minute of it!

Stephanie was born in Los Angeles, California. She and her husband Bill have
3 sons and 4 grandchildren. They moved to Florida in 2002 and the rest of the family soon followed. In her spare time she loves to spend time at the beach and enjoy her grandchildren.

Life Verse: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

All of us have a hurt, habit, or hang-up. There is no need to clean yourself up. Come as you are and “HE” will make you whole.  -Stephanie Johnston

Shelby has always been a musician, but serving the Church is his passion. After he was saved in 2010 while serving as a volunteer in the worship ministry of The Journey Church in Boca Raton, Florida, he followed God's plan to lead him into ministry. He received his music training at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California, taught at a private school in Kensington, Maryland, and was a performer with many nationally known artists. All were part of God’s plan to build his leadership skills, and develop his knowledge of the music industry, to put him in a position of leadership in God’s Temple. Shelby is married to Debbi Rael and has 5 grown children and are adopting their 2 grandchildren. Shelby and Debbi are foodies and enjoy regular walks on the beach, night walks through Downtown Stuart with an ice cream cone, and spending time with family.

Life Verse:  Psalm 98:4 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”

“Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul” - Johann Sebastian Bach

Lisa is from West Palm Beach, Florida, and her parents still live in the same house that she and her two sisters were raised in.  In 2008, Lisa became a member of The Grace Place and rededicated her life to Christ.  She has volunteered in the office and children’s area, served in the Preschool and Aftercare Program, and currently serves as Assistant to the Senior Pastor.  

Lisa holds a Bachelors in Finance and a Masters in Forensic Accounting.  After nearly 20 years in the banking industry, she made the decision to be a stay-at-home Mom to her then upcoming teenage daughter.  During that time, she was quite involved in her daughter’s school activities, completed her Masters Degree, volunteered in various capacities, and only then realized her desire to serve others through the Church.       

Lisa and her husband, Larry, have been in Martin County for about 20 years and love living here! Lisa has one daughter, Lauren, who lives locally with her husband and beautiful baby boy.  Along with faith, family and spending as much time as possible with her first grandchild, Lisa enjoys reading, boating, the beach, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In her ‘spare’ time, she volunteers/serves with Coastal Boxer Rescue because saving the lives of Boxers is her passion! 

Life Verse: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

 “I look forward to meeting you, and ask that you call me if I can help you in any way get better acquainted with Pastor Rick and The Grace Place Church.” -Lisa Emig

Dennis (Denny) Ives was born and raised in West Central Florida. In the fall of 2007, Denny and his wife felt a call to return to the Lord after being away from Him for many years. So, in October they decided to attend the Grace Place. Promptly after, Denny lost his job as a result of the downfall of the economy, and it was only his newly recommitted faith (evidenced in his life verse) as well as the support of his Grace Place family that helped him make it through some very difficult times. He realized that he had to give control over to God, because on his own he was powerless.

Denny attended Central Florida Community College and Baker University with a degree from the school of hard knocks. After coming to the Grace Place, Denny and his wife became very involved with the Celebrate Recovery ministry in 2008. He began volunteering at the church with various projects while also trying to build his own business, but in 2011 God provided a way to combine the two. Denny became the Facilities and Maintenance Coordinator and has thoroughly enjoyed his position ever since.

Denny is married to his wife Kristine, and they have three children, Lindsey, Lance, and Rebecca. Denny is also a proud grandfather of two beautiful grandchildren, Noah and Elijah with two more on the way this 2015.

Life Verse: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. - Matthew 6:34