John Grossmann, Senior Pastor
John Grossman 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 Church since 1984. He serves as the current leader of the Greater Cincinnati Evangelical Free Church of America ministerial association and was recently named to 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, reside near the church in Springfield Township and are the proud parents of nine children.
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 Business Development Manager for the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum (Answers in Genesis) in Northern Kentucky. He builds relationships with Tour Operators, 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), four 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.” (1Thes. 2:8)
Eric Payne, Worship Director
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 or Science in Biblical Studies from Cincinnati Bible College in 1999. During his college years he was actively in involved in Young life leadership and youth ministry volunteerism at the churches he attended. He has been serving as a volunteer in ministry at Grace since he and his wife Mandee joined the church in 1997. Eric came on staff at Grace as part-time Worship Leader in September of 2011 and currently serves on the Elder board of the church.
His full-time occupation is as a Surveillance Consultant in the Compliance department of The O.N. Equity Sales Co.; a broker/dealer affiliated with Ohio National here in Cincinnati. He enjoys his career with Ohio National very much, but finds his true passions to be studying and teaching God’s Word, and leading worship for his congregation. His emphases in worship leadership are striving to maintain a proper focus on Spirit and Truth as the Lord Jesus admonished the Samaritan woman at the well. Consequently, the songs he is compelled to employ in worship are rich in Biblical truths and theological insights; letting God’s Spirit nourish the worshiper’s renewed spirit with the Truth of God’s Word. He is also an avid Seagull guitar fan.
Eric and his wife, Mandee, live in West Chester with their 5 boys: Caleb, Gideon, Abraham, Titus, & Zechariah and 1 daughter: Annabeth. They have enjoyed the fellowship of Grace over the years 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.
Cindy Marsman, Secretary
Cindy and her husband Dan have been members of Grace for more than 15 years. They have 3 adult children, and have been married for 34 years. Cindy enjoys serving the church in her role as Administrative Assistant. She enjoys serving the Pastors and many members she gets to interact with on a weekly basis through the church office. Cindy has been involved in Women’s Ministry, Women’s Sunday School leadership, and leads a community Bible study in her home. One of Cindy’s greatest joys is to encourage women in their relationship with Jesus Christ. When Cindy is not serving in the church office, her favorite place to be is their family cottage in northern Michigan.
Cindy’s favorite verse is Romans 15:13 “May the God of Hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Latest Sermons
“Walking in the Truth” – 2 JohnDecember 9, 2018 - 11:00 am
“The Permanence of Love”- 1 Corinthians 13:8-13December 2, 2018 - 11:00 am- “The Nature of Love” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7November 25, 2018 - 11:00 am
- “The Necessity of Love” – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3November 18, 2018 - 11:00 am
“The Prayers of God’s Giants” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12November 11, 2018 - 11:00 am