Our Staff

Eric Payne,
Senior Pastor

Eric Payne grew up in the rural town of Ross, Ohio and graduated with the distinction of “Class Clown” in 1994. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Cincinnati Bible College in 1999 and his Master of Arts in Biblical Exposition from Liberty University in 2022. Eric came on staff at Grace as part-time Worship Leader in September of 2011 and in January 2021 went full-time into vocational ministry as Grace's Associate Pastor. Grace called Eric to become the Senior Pastor of the church in January 2024. Eric's emphasis at Grace is studying and teaching God’s Word. He is also involved with helping lead worship at times and also continues as member of the Youth Group leadership team. Eric and his wife, Mandee, live in West Chester with their 6 children: Caleb, Gideon, Abraham, Titus, Zechariah and Annabeth (their 1 daughter). They have enjoyed the fellowship of Grace together since 1997 as a place where God’s Word is prized and families seek to build homes that nurture children in the Lord and display His glory to their communities.

John Grossmann,
Pastor Emeritus

John Grossmann received his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1980, and second Master of Theology degree in Old Testament studies from there in 1981. While at Trinity, he sat under the teaching of such distinguished Bible scholars and theologians as D. A. Carson, Norman Geisler, Gleason Archer, Warren Wiersbe, Walter Kaiser, David Wells and Harold O. J. Brown. He has been the Senior Pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church since 1984. He served as the leader of the Greater Cincinnati Evangelical Free Church of America ministerial association and was a former member of the Tenure Board at Trinity International University and the Divinity School. A native of Cincinnati, he graduated from Cincinnati Country Day School in 1973, then attended Miami University as a Philosophy major graduating in 1977. From 1982-1984, he served as Interim Pastor of Covenant First Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati. John and his wife, Mary Pat, are the proud parents of nine children and they have eleven grandchildren.

Eddie Lutz,
Discipleship Pastor

Eddie Lutz is the Discipleship Pastor at Grace, with a primary emphasis on youth, families, and Christian Education. He teaches and preaches on a regular basis. He has been a member of Grace EFC since 2004, serving many years as an Elder and volunteering with children, youth, and Men’s Ministries. Eddie came on staff as the Discipleship Pastor in 2014.He is a lifelong resident of Springfield Township and has a Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of Cincinnati. He also has taken extensive coursework toward a Master of Arts in Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He serves “bi-vocationally” as the Senior Manager of Sales & Business Development for the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum (Answers in Genesis) in Northern Kentucky. He builds relationships with Tour Operators, Group Leaders, Churches, and Schools to experience both attractions. His passion is to equip churches to stand on the authority of God’s Word.Eddie and his wife, Amy, live in Finneytown and have 4 adult children (1 son, 3 daughters), five granddaughters, and two grandsons. “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (1 Thes. 2:8)

Matt Connell,
Worship Director

Matt is a devoted husband to Christy – his high school sweetheart from Grace - and dad to Hannah, Dean & Zachary. They live in Fairfield and have fellowshipped at Grace for decades. Matt grew up in a musically minded family; he began picking up piano, guitar, singing throughout his childhood and started helping with worship at Grace as a young teenager. He graduated from Miami University with a music degree in 2005 – where he co-led the Campus Crusade worship team. Matt works full time as an Investment Accounting Officer for a local financial services company – going back to school to eventually become a CPA in 2020. He’s been on part-time staff with Grace since 2017. Matt’s prayer is for the entire church body to feel confident in participating in God's Heavenly choir. From the music/keys/lyrics selected, to the use of technology, the entire worship team strives towards excellence with a humble, God-focused, Christ-centered heart posture so the Word of Christ is treasured above all and dwells richly in our souls.

Barb Rudolph,
Secretary

Barb and her husband, Russ, have been members of Grace Evangelical Free Church since 2012. She worked for many years as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center before retiring from her full time job. She is a Cancer survivor and loves being a prayer warrior for all. Barb and Russ have been married over 50 years. They live in Finneytown and have 3 adult children, David, Rebecca, and Nathan, that have blessed them with 7 grandchildren. Her lifelong favorite scripture has been: I can do All things through Christ who strengthen me, Philippians 4:13. Side note: she plays Words With Friends if anyone is looking for someone new to play against.

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