Team Leader & Staff Bios
Pastor Norris
Senior Pastor
Favorite books: Currently, “Believe that You Can” & “Fasting”, by Jentzen Franklin; books that continue to inspire and teach me, “The Fourth Dimension”, by David Yonggi Cho, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”, by Jim Cymbala, The Complete Sermons by John G. Lake, “Adventures in God”, by Gordon Lindsay, all E.W.Kenyon’s books, The Complete Sermons of Smith Wigglesworth; Books that entertain, “The Lord of the Rings”, by J.R.R. Tolkien. I also love to read biographies of great men and women of the Church and history.
Favorite music: Hillsongs Music, Chris Tomlin, Don Moen and Israel Houghton. For fun I like to listen to light jazz, good guitar music and some Oldies.
Family: Cindy, my wonderful wife and best friend in life, Jessica, John and Jason (three of the greatest kids on the planet!)
Greatest Influences: Outside the Lord Jesus Christ they are, Kenneth Hagin for his teachings on faith and the integrity of the Word; my pastor, Steve Vickers for imparting his passion for God and modeling great leadership; Omar Carbrera for his apostolic influence in spiritual warfare and finally John G. Lake in his writings about the Holy Spirit and understanding the operations of the spirit realm.
Hobbies: Enjoy playing tennis, chess and board games with the family. I love to ride horses every chance I get, browse antique stores with Cindy and of course to travel and see new places, meet new people and enjoy the fullness of life in God.
Birthday: November 8th.
Cindy Braswell
Ministry Support & Worship Team Leader
Favorite books: the Bible, “Believe That You Can,” by Jentezen Franklin, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire,” by Jim Cymbala, “Extravagant Worship,” by Darlene Zschech. Passions: Anything having to do with creating or designing… just give me a project and I’m on it! Teaching, traveling, trying new foods, meeting people from around the world and sharing God’s goodness with them is what I love to do. Favorite music: Just about all worship music… including Hillsongs, Passion, Gateway Worship, New Life Worship, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, Misty Edwards, Israel Houghton, Ricardo Sanchez/Free Chapel, Bethany World Outreach, Paul Baloche, Don Moen, Klaus, and The Parachute Band to name just a few. Not real big on scremo and country. Just for fun, I like listening to saxophone/jazz music (like Kenny G), flamenco guitar music (from my travels to Spain) & some Latin music.
Family: Pastor Norris (husband), Jessica (daughter), John & Jason (sons). Greatest influences: Four ladies stand out in my life: 1) my mom (a wonderful mother, cook and housekeeper); 2) Marfa Cabrera (now with our Lord) showed me how to be an awesome minister of the Gospel, a loving mother & devoted wife all while maintaining a spirit of grace and humility (she and her husband, Omar, led the largest church in Argentina during the two years we lived there); 3) Denice Vickers, our pastor’s wife in Alabama, who stood by her husband in the ministry through tests and trials. She and Pastor Steve showed me how to persevere and be passionate about God; 4) Dottie Taylor, my spiritual mom, who nurtured me right after I got saved and then filled with the Holy Spirit in 1983 at Calvary Assembly in Orlando.
Hobbies: Hanging out with my best friend and partner in life (my husband), playing guitar, trying to learn to play keyboards, painting (oil and watercolor), taking my Spanish students on tours abroad, and playing board games with my family. I also love to ride horses, do home decorating projects, go to the beach (only 5 minutes away) with a good book and to take long walks enjoying God’s creation. You gotta love Florida! Birthday: October 13
Associate Pastors, Reverend Duane Cyr & Faith Cyr
Evangelism & Outreach Associate Pastors
Pastor Duane- Having just celebrated our 37thwedding anniversary, Faith and I are surrounded by four children and five grandchildren, who we love spending time with. I attended Bible College in Baton Rouge, L.A., and started attending Grace Community Church in the spring of 1990. I was ordained here at Grace on February 17, 1991 by Pastor Carrin.
Until recently, I was Co-Pastor of Jubilee Ministry Center along with my wife Faith. My wife and I are presently working evangelistically with troubled youth who are incarcerated. We hope to help them find their way through the workings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Being here at Grace Community Church has been a blessing. This is our home and we feel truly welcomed. GET READY… we know that good things are coming to Grace Community Church.
Sister Faith – I grew up in Boynton Beach and attended the local elementary and high schools. I met my husband, Duane, while in Jr. high at the age of 14. We married in 1971 and just celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary. I have four adult children (3 boys and 1 girl) and five grandchildren. I do like to read (and watch) biographies, visit historical places and travel. Mostly, I love to spend time with my grandchildren.
I have a degree in Theology from Covenant Christian University. Until recently, I was Co-Pastor of Jubilee Ministry Center along with my husband, Reverend Duane Cyr. It is my desire to live every area of life in a very practical way by the presence, power and person of my Almighty God, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit and to encourage others to do the same. “With God, all things are possible”!
Bill and Gina McCracken
Youth Pastors
Bill and Gina will be celebrating their ten year wedding anniversary in 2012. They have two children: Samuel (7) and Isabella (5). Bill is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Gina grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Both Bill and Gina received their bible school training from AFCM ministries, which is affiliated with Rhema Bible School. They have experience working with teenagers while living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and then were led by God to move back to South Florida where they now serve as the Youth Ministry Team Leaders here at Grace Community Church in Boynton Beach. It is their desire and passion to help high school students know who they are in Christ and enable them to discover their God-given gifts to use for His Kingdom.
Elwood Holly
Administrative Elder
I am married to Sharon Holley, and we have just celebrated our 50th year anniversary! We have two wonderful children, and we are blessed with one grandson. I love to read Christian fiction books, Christian music and I love the history of the Rocky Mountains, the early settlers, and the Native Americans. Some of the most inspirational people in my life were my father, uncle and a great friend “THOMAS VANN”.
I was born on October 15th, in Pelham Georgia. My hobbies include fishing and reading. I have been blessed and have the honor of being the Secretary and Treasurer of Grace Community Church. I sit on the board of elders as chairman, assist with the financials and help the board of elders make sound choices regarding the church. I also oversee the property and help make any other decisions necessary on a day to day basis.
Chuck Zeltner
Elder
I was ordained as an Elder at Grace Community Church in March of 1997. My wife Jackie and I have been married for 47 years. We have three children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Our Favorite books are, End Time prophesies, Revelations, and mysteries. My music preferences are traditional hymns and my secular choice would be the “Oldies”.
The greatest influences in my life are, L. Vernon McGee, C. Ernest Thaham and Pastor Charles Carrin. As an Elder I try to dedicate time each day for Bible reading, prayer and meditation. My responsibilities have included coordinating children’s church, serving at the Lords table for Adult and Youth Church and participating regularly in the monthly meetings for planning, finances and security of the premises here at GCC. I also serve in hospital visitations and enjoy greeting!
Roger Able
Elder
Rick Cross
Men’s Ministry Team Leader
My favorite books are the Bible, “My Utmost for His Highest” and “The Shack”. I have several passions in my life; to be a man of God in my family, church and community. My favorite music and musicians are Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jazz and 60’s/70’s. I have a wonderful family; my beautiful wife Andrea of 10 years, and three son’s: Jeremy (19) years, Christian (16) years, Eric (7) years. My greatest influences are Jesus, my grandfather, my stepfather, Mickey Evans, Allan Brewster and Charles Carrin. My hobbies in this order are: golf, golf,golf, oh and art. I was born on on June 30th.
Gladys Whigham
Women’s Ministry Team Leader
Gladys has been with Grace for well over a decade and has touched the hearts of many women during her time as Deaconess of Women’s Ministries. Her creative and spiritual dedication in serving our Lord has left its own marker for years to come. Her favorite books are, “The Holy Spirit, the Missing Ingredient” and “ Faith, Foolishness, or Presumption?”
Michael Henderson
Media and Sound Team Leader
The passion in my life is making the world a happier place. Music is an amazing source of healing and rejuvenation. My personal favorite group is “Mercy Me”. I enjoy offering my services in the media department, which is a wonderful outlet for my passion. I enjoy acting as a DJ, golfing and bowling. I also enjoy spending time and traveling with my wife Graceanna. We have two beautiful children, Felicia 21 and Mikey 23. If I had to choose one person as the greatest influence in my life, it would be my father. I was born on January 25th.
Graceanna Henderson
Children’s Ministry Team Leader
I am very passionate about working with children. I have been blessed to be able to share and participate in the nurturing of so many of the children here at Grace. I love organizing anything and everything, which definitely can be quite a surprise when working with a room of 8 year olds! The greatest influence in my life was my Sunday school teacher Mrs. Morrey. I hope that I may be able to make a difference in the lives of some of the little ones I work with weekly.
I enjoy listening to music and find the works of Michael W. Smith to be one of my favorites. I have been so blessed with a wonderful husband, Michael, and two little ones of my own, Felicia 21 and Mikey 23. I love crafts, crocheting, knitting, quilting and reading anything by Max Lucado. My Birthday is on March 20th.
Sharon Gele’
Website Team Leader
I am very passionate when it comes to helping others. I have been involved with many different ministries from a very early age. My grandfather was one of the greatest influences in my life. During his life he worked with the poor and the sick of St. Vincent dePaul, and no matter how tired, always had time to help someone else. He taught me charity, love, respect and left me his legacy of unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. I am blessed with a wonderful family; my husband Sylvain, my sons Sylvain and David, our daughter in law Andrea, and our five grandchildren, the twins (Alexis & Olivia), Kyle, Bryce and baby to be.
I have several hobbies, including the addiction to my Papillon dogs, Obadiah and Leah. When I am not obsessing over my little ones, I love listening to Christian Contemporary, Christian Rock and the Oldies. I also love professional paint by numbers, reading and miniature perfume bottle collecting. I was born May 19th.
Elizabeth Zilinsky
Bookkeeping
Living in South Florida for more than 20 years with my two wonderful children, I enjoy what our beautiful state has to offer. My passions include; reading, writing, learning and outdoor activities. I love spending time with my kids, family and friends. A few of my favorite inspirational people are; Joyce Meyers, India Aire and last but most importantly, my mother. One of my favorite authors is Stephen Covey, and three of my favorite songs are; “There’s Hope”, by India Arie, “I’m Yours”, by Jason Miraz, and “There’s a Mighty River Flowing”, by the Katina Brothers. That one reminds me of Grace Community Church!
I have been given the honor and opportunity to work here at Grace Community Church for the past 4 ½ years, helping with the bookkeeping and accounting. I like to believe that I have been Mr. Holleys “right hand” and that I have helped things run smoothly in the office on a weekly basis. I truly like helping others in many ways, like answering the phones or simply answering the door to help with someone’s basic needs. Being here at the church has opened my eyes in seeing just how blessed we are, knowing that our blessings come from God. Sometimes through the “connection” of others we see how great and powerful His love can be. Thank God for that!
Bill Whigham
Greeters Ministry Team Leader
Jim Hill
Homeless-Soup Kitchen Ministry Team Leader
Jim has lived in Boynton Beach for 9 years, moving here from Colorado. He is been married to his wife Nancy for 25 years and has 4 children. Since he is retired he does his own yard and house work as Nancy continues to work outside the home. He loves fishing and boating and enjoys the outdoors. Jim has attended Grace for 9 years and after much prompting from his wife decided to role up his sleeves and help in the soup kitchen. He was elected to take over dear Gene’s position to minister to the homeless. And he LOVES it..
Jamie Scheelk
Building Maintenance
