The GracePlace - Duncanville Church of Christ

Ron Carlson - Preacher

(rcarlson8@tx.rr.com)

I’m an adult convert, born-again nearly 30 years ago, and sustained day by day by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Sandra and I, now married 35 years, were born and raised in the mountains of North Idaho, but rushed to Texas when we heard winter was permanently cancelled.

Our boys are big now, grown and married, and we’re busy remodeling our empty nest in Duncanville.  Mesa, a David Lipscomb graduate, stayed in Nashville to work for Dell and find the perfect wife. He’s been successful at both. They have a year and half old son, the new apple of our eye. Our younger son Zane, who graduated from Baylor, dismissed his pursuit of the Big Leagues and got a real job, working for Cybex. He married his High School Sweetheart last summer (much to our delight) and they live in Dallas with a new puppy.

I graduated from the University of Idaho in 1975 (same University, degree, and academic counselor as Sarah Palin!) and the Center for Christian Education in 1984. We battled in the mission field of British Columbia for 2 years, and then returned to the Metroplex where I served the Center for Christian Education in various capacities for a dozen years. During that time, I had the good fortune to serve 20-some churches as their interim preacher, irritating most of them in a short time.

I’ve been the preacher in Duncanville since1996, where we have helped transform the local congregation into a dynamic, multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-economic, multi-generational, multi-sinner, undenominational, growing GracePlace.org.

I have always had a heart for evangelism, believing our role as light and salt in the world positions us to draw folks to the Jesus we lift up as Savior of the world. In Duncanville, we believe in making converts, undermining evil, and loving one another. We hope and pray and labor for more Kingdom successes to the glory of God!

I have always been an avid reader and writer. Though I have not published a book in the last eight years (being the local pastor takes every minute!), I’m finishing a giant American Christian novel and I write a weekly newspaper column and articles for publications across the country.

Jeff Conrad - Family Life Ministry

(jeffconrad@ourgraceplace.org)

My wife Martha and I married in 1977 and have been blessed with 6 children:  4 daughters and 2 sons.  Our older children are now out making their mark on the world, but we're still in kid business with our youngest son still at home.  It has been our awesome privilege to be a part of the Duncanville family since 1990.

Martha and I began our formal training at Williamstown Bible College.  I later earned a Child Development degree from Navarro College and a Ministry degree from Southwestern Assembly of God University.

It has been a blessing to have served as a youth minister, an administrator for a Christian children's home, a children's minister, and now as the Family Life Minister.

Serving as an administrator for our church family, assisting our ministry leaders, and working with our elders is an awesome privilege.

Connie Davis - Children's Ministry

(conniedavis@ourgraceplace.org)

My family began attending here in the spring of 1997 and felt right at home immediately.  I have been blessed with a love for children and have volunteered all of my Christian life in one capacity or another. 

I began working with the Sonshine Place Day Out Program (formerly known as Mother's Day Out) in August 2001 and as the Children's Minister as of 2006.  I am fortunate to work with a multitude of dedicated volunteers. 

I have been blessed to be a part of this ministry and I pray our ministry is a blessing to the families we serve.

Kim Lowe - Associate Youth Minister

(tuckeredout@gmail.com)

DCC has been not just my home church but also my family since I was a baby.  My parents were heavily involved in leadership roles with the youth ministry my whole life which introduced me to my passion for youth ministry at an early age.  From there, I went off to Abilene Christian University where I got a B.S. in Youth and Family Ministry and a M.A. in Religion.

After returning to DCC, I met my husband, Nathan, who helps minister alongside me in the youth ministry as well as leads 2:11 Ministry for college and young adults.

What a blessing it is to now get to serve in the church family that always has and continues to bless me through their love, encouragement, and guidance.  God is truly awesome!

Scott Thibodeaux - Spiritual Formation/Youth

(thibsy@ourgraceplace.org)

My biblical training began at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.  I graduated in 1996 with a BA in Bible.  Afterwards, I headed west to Abilene Christian University where I attained a Masters of Divinity Degree in May 2000.  It was during these years that I preached for 3 years at a couple of small churches and spent several summers and semesters as a Youth Intern.

My wife, Mavenee, and I met on the campus of Harding University and were married in May of 2000.  We have a daughter, Sophie and a son, Graham. 

We joined the Duncanville staff in February 2002. My wife and I searched a long time to find the right church in which to work with.  When we came to DCC, we felt immediately accepted, believed in what they were doing, and knew this would be the type of place we would want to spend the rest of our lives.

Joe Valenzuela - Hispanic Ministry

(joevalenzuela@ourgraceplace.org)

I have been with our church family in Duncanville since October 2002.  This church continues its missionary task of making Jesus known to all nations of the world, the net of the gospel is being cast into deeper waters more and more within our own community.  We consider ourselves blessed to share in this mission with DCC.

I am involved in assisting Spanish-speaking families with their spiritual needs, families who would otherwise go without hearing about a loving Savior unless someone shared the Gospel with them in their own language.

My family and I have been involved in Hispanic Ministry for 30+ years, having worked with churches in Odessa, San Angelo, and San Antonio, Texas.  We have also done mission work in Mexico.

My wife Elva and I have been married since 1972 and have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. 

The Lord continues to bless our lives, our ministry, and our time with this church.

Devon Wallace - Prison/Recovery Ministry

(brotherdevon@peoplepc.com)

I have lived in Duncanville for the past 28 years just round the corner from the church building.  I graduated from Duncanville High School in 1986 and gave my life to the Lord Jesus in 2000!

I was volunteering outside the church in Youth and Adult Prision Ministries before coming to the GracePlace.  I came to know DCC members through Greg Lucas and Stek Steck.  After Greg's passing I approached the staff about the position and by God's favor I became the Set Free Prison Minister.

I love sports, rich foods, and all God's people!

 Maleah Arnold - Office Ministry:  Education Curriculum

(maleaharnold@ourgraceplace.org)

I joined the staff in 1998 after working with the Center for Christian Education for 10 years.  I serve the church in a variety of functions, but I am primarily responsible for the curriculum in the Education Ministry.  I also keep track of the building which includes everything from controlling the air conditioning to chasing after van keys.  I feel very privileged to work for and with such a busy, loving congregation.

I have taught Sunday school for over 38 years, and I love working with Preschool and Nursery children.  I enjoy watching our kids grow up.

Leon loves to open the doors and greet folks on Sunday morning.  He also is actively engaged in many of our ministries. 

We are blessed to have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of our own that live in the area.

Anne Bunn - Office Ministry:  Publications

(annebunn@ourgraceplace.org)

I consider myself a little Dutch girl with a Texas accent.  I have lived in Texas ever since my family came to America in 1962 from Holland hoping for a better life.  I married my high school sweetheart Barry in 1978, and we have 2 handsome sons Mason & Aaron, a lovely daughter-in-law Lauren (Aaron's wife) and very cute grandsons Peyton, Brayden, & Kylan. 

Barry and I came to know the Lord in February 1979 and joined the Rochelle Road Church of Christ in Irving where we served in various ministries.  We moved to the Duncanville area in 1997 and began attending DCC in September 1999 where we were made to feel right at home with several people getting our family involved in many activities and ministries.

I joined the staff here in June 2003 hoping to serve you in any capacity that God has granted me.  I truly feel blessed with such a spiritual family here at DCC.

Rosa Flores - Office Ministry:  Membership Information

(rosaflores@ourgraceplace.org)

I moved to Cedar Hill in 1998 and placed membership at this wonderful church shortly thereafter.  In 2006 I retired from Frito-Lay, Inc. after 34 years of service.  I am widowed and have 2 married sons and 5 grandchildren. My grandbabies are the light of my heart. 

I enjoy teaching the pre-kindergarten Bible Class on Sundays and joined the church staff as part-time data entry clerk in January 2006 keeping track of our membership.  We maintain an extensive database, and with folks coming and going, it seems there is never a dull day.