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 purpose for his life – to serve as a pastor of a local church.  Since coming to the Grace Place, Rick has a compelling awareness that God has him right where he needs to be. He believes that each of his 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 the to minister to this church. I do not see what I do as a job. I see it as my primary purpose and calling in life. ” – Pastor Rick

Since 1979, after graduating from Bible College, Pastor Rick has served four previous churches in Michigan, Ohio and Alabama before coming to serve as senior pastor of The Grace Place Community Church in 1993. Pastor Rick has also received an M.A. in Ministry from Moody Graduate School in Chicago, and throughout his experience 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 meaningful life changing ministry to the entire family. We place a high priority not only on main weekend services, but also on our GraceKids ministry, Student Ministries, and Ministry to Singles. We strive to minister to needs of married couples as well through annual marriage conferences and counseling services as needed. All of our ministries are constantly in the state of development, re-evaluation, and fine-tuning. To see more about our ministries and ministry leaders please explore our Team Page.”– Pastor Rick

 “I would like to extend a personal welcome to you to become part of the Grace Place family. On the first Sunday of each month we have a pastor’s luncheon which provides a greater opportunity for us to know you and for your know more about our team. We also have class 101 and 201 which are great opportunities to learn about and join the church.” – 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 11 and Karlie who is 4. 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

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 on his life”.  That is the beginning of a 40 year journey as a married couple in ministry and serving 35 of those years in full-time ministry together.

“I believe the song “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 Rick in whatever capacity was needed at the time,  knowing the call God had laid on Rick’s life and my commitment to that!! ”  - Karon Addison

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 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 2011.  

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

“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

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 one granddaughter, Claire.  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.”

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 Gods 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 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. He likes to read and is currently reading “Worship Matters” by Bob Kauflin.

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

Ashley Aills came to The Grace Place from Chicago where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and worked as a lead Preschool teacher in a Christian school for several years.  Ashley has a deep love for children and has served in children’s ministries since she was a teenager.  Noted for her engaging activities and ability to communicate well with both children and parents, Ashley knows she is called by God to work with children in their early years. She is a strong believer in developing Early Childhood literacy skills and helping children reach their full potential.  While dating her husband Nathan, Ashley visited The Grace Place. She fell in love with Florida, its people, and the church community. Ashley married Nathan Aills in 2014, moved with him to Florida a year later, and began working as a teacher at Grace Place Preschool. She loves Florida, and believes God has called her to serve others in her current capacity as Director of Preschool and Aftercare.  In addition, Ashley is faithful to serve on the weekends as part of the church’s Tech Team.  She and Nathan are proud parents of a beautiful daughter, Aubrey Elizabeth, who is their miracle from God!

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