Tyler seeks to follow God's call through his roles as a husband, dad, and pastor. He and his wife, Eleanor, have two children, Greta and Wes, along with one happy poodle, Hank and a grumpy one, Samson. Tyler is a graduate of Luther College and he met Eleanor while they were both students at Garrett Seminary in Chicago. Eleanor serves as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at nearby Canterbury UMC. Tyler and Eleanor's ministries have taken them from Chicago, to New Jersey, to Minneapolis and now, Birmingham.
Tyler loves the relational aspect of church ministry, believing that lasting transformation is born out of faithful relationships anchored in Christ. Serving as a pastor of a church allows Tyler to exercise his creative side, engage in strategic planning, and focus his attention on leading vibrant worship experiences.
In his free time, Tyler loves to travel with his family, eat adventurously (or at least try new restaurants), and play games. Tyler also enjoys downhill skiing, golf, cheering on the Golden Gopher football and basketball teams, rocking out in his car where no one can hear him, and most anything outdoors.
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Tyler Christiansen
Pastor
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Stephen Ingram
Pastor of Students
Stephen is a dad, husband, writer and foodie. He has served in churches since 1998 and also has served as a lead consultant with Ministry Architects since 2009. He lives in Homewood with his wife Mary Liz and their three kids Mary Clare, Patrick, and Nora Grace. Stephen has his undergraduate from Samford University where he majored in Religion and his Masters of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology. Stephen speaks at conferences all around the country as well as leading training events, intentionally spiritual parenting workshops, and retreats for youth ministries. His books include Hollow Faith: How Andy Griffith, Facebook, and the American Dream Neutered the Gospel, ExtraOrdinary Time: 365 Ordinary Moments with an Anything But Ordinary God; and Organic Student Ministry. Stephen deeply loves working with students and their families growing, nurturing and challenging their faith as they strive to answer the questions: Who am I and Why am I here?
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Amanda Vernon
Children's Ministry Director
Amanda lives with her husband Ryan, their kids Amelia Claire and John David, a labradoodle named Penny Lane, and a cat named Aubrey in their home in Trussville. After growing up in Birmingham, Amanda went to college in Tennessee and graduate school at the University of Alabama. She worked as a therapist in Boston and Nashville before moving back to Alabama, where she worked as a therapist and a hospice social worker before becoming a stay-at-home parent for several years.
Amanda loves cooking, traveling, and reading. Her whole family loves camping, hiking, riding bikes, kayaking, paddle boarding… any activity that involves being outside! The Vernons have attended Grace since 2019 and dearly love the church and its members. Amanda has been thrilled to transition into her new role at Grace after many years volunteering in the Children's Ministry.
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Andrew Henderson
Worship Arts Director
Andrew spent most of his childhood in Alabama. He then studied guitar and music production at Appalachian State University, where he met his future wife, Michelle, also from Alabama. They moved to Birmingham soon after graduating and getting married.
Andrew came to Grace in 2009, where he and his family have continued to get more involved. Andrew now uses his passion for music and worship by serving as Grace's Worship Arts Director.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with Michelle and their three girls, running, and playing music around town.
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Chelsea Ramsey
Administrative Assistant
Chelsea Ramsey is from Birmingham, AL and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 2014. Before her position here, she worked at a statewide non-profit organization. She has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Grace family and has been with us since 2016.
Chelsea and Ethan have been married since July of 2017, and they are enjoying being parents to two sweet girls. In her spare time, Chelsea loves to read, sing, make lists, and watch movies.
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Andrea Fite
Nursery Director
Andrea is from the Birmingham area and graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2006 with a Bachelor of Social Work. She worked as a social worker with foster children for 9 years. She has also worked in the nursery at Trussville Methodist Church, several in-home daycares in the Pelham area, and at Learning Express Toys at their Trussville, Leeds, and Gadsden locations. She has been working in the nursery here at Grace since 2008 and stepped up to the role of nursery director in 2014. Andrea has been married to Mike Frost since May of 2017. Andrea and Mike live in Pinson with their 3 daughters, Zoey, Morgan, and Greer, as well as 3 dogs and 2 cats.
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Jay Jacks
Worship Tech Director
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Mitch Winston
Finance Director
Mitchell grew up in the Birmingham area and joins the Grace staff after serving as a full time stay at home dad for the past ten years. He met his wife, Ginny, while attending Birmingham Southern College on a soccer scholarship and the couple got married in 2009. Ginny is a board-certified OB/GYN at Grandview and they have three energetic boys: Dean, Rhett, and Knight.
Mitchell graduated from Birmingham Southern College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Accounting. He later attended graduate school at Barry University in Miami where he earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 2009. His previous work experience includes finance and accounting positions with a professional baseball organization, and later with a global energy corporation.
The couple first attended Grace in 2013 and quickly became drawn in by the enormous hospitality of its members. Mitchell had previously volunteered as a VBS games coordinator and Sunday School chaperone but is now excited to begin this new chapter of his life alongside the Grace community.
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Demitrus Townes
Custodian
Demitrus Townes joined the Grace staff in the summer of 2024. Though he has called Birmingham home for many years, he is originally from Detroit, Michigan. Demitrus describes himself as quiet and shy, but his friends know him as kind and approachable. In his free time, Demitrus enjoys growing plants, listening to music and exploring new hobbies.
