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LEADERSHIP TEAM

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CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Pastors

Our pastors aim to be servant leaders who submit themselves to the authority of Scripture and use their God-given talents to glorify God and care for the church.

Walt Alexander

Lead Pastor

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Taylor Hollingsworth

Pastor

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Buddy Luster

Pastor

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Gil Balch

Pastoral Resident

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Daniel McGraw

Pastoral Resident

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MINISTRY LEADERS

Deacons

Our deacons aim to be lead servants who use their God-given talents to glorify God and serve the church.

Tim Smith

Deacon

Charlie Stewart

Deacon

Dustin Tinsman

Deacon

Scott Trew

Deacon

Abe Traucht

Deacon

Ben Finch

Financial Advisory Team

Sam Olsen

Financial Advisory Team

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Trinity Grace Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ who make disciples in Athens & beyond for the glory of God. Whether you’re looking for a church, looking for community, or looking for answers, you’re welcome at Trinity Grace Church in Athens!

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Walt Alexander

Lead Pastor

Walt has served as a pastor of Trinity Grace since its beginning in 2018. After being raised in South Carolina, he was suddenly converted to Christianity while a student at the University of Tennessee and has been following the Lord since. He serves as the lead pastor and oversees our weekly worship service and leadership development.

He and his wife Kim have been married since 2007 and have three growing children. Walt enjoys reading, backpacking, hunting, and lots of coffee.

Taylor Hollingsworth

Pastor

Taylor has been a pastor at Trinity Grace Church since 2021, the same year he graduated from the Sovereign Grace Pastors College. Prior to pastoral ministry, Taylor worked in special education and outdoor recreation ministry. He completed a B.A. in Communication at Bryan College where he met his lovely bride, Elisabeth. After spending a couple of years living in North Africa, Taylor finished a M.A. in Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University. Through God’s providence, he and Elisabeth ended up in Athens, TN and have been involved in Trinity Grace Church since the beginning. He oversees evangelism, outreach, hospitality, membership, and youth.

He and Elisabeth have 4 wonderful kids. Taylor enjoys playing music, hiking anywhere with an overlook or waterfall, and spending time with family and friends over a meal – preferably involving a campfire.

Buddy Luster

Pastor

Buddy joined the Trinity Grace Church Plant in 2019 and has served as a pastor since July of 2022. He leads the gatherings of our senior members, oversees the Deacons Ministry, and serves as one of our Community Group Leaders.

During his junior year of college, he was apprehended by Christ and forever changed. After graduation, he and his wife , Judy, settled into work and ministry in Ohio where they raised 4 believing children. They are blessed with 8 grandchildren.

Gil Balch

Pastoral Resident

Gil has served full-time as a pastoral resident since returning from the Sovereign Grace Pastors College in June of 2024. His background is in filmmaking and digital media, with which he has been able to travel the world. He oversees the music team, biblical counseling, community groups, and the website. 

A native to Athens, he and his wife, Melanie moved back to Athens in 2007 and have four children. Gil enjoys playing music with his boys, golf with his dad, and lives on the same street with most of his family.

Daniel McGraw

Pastoral Resident

Daniel has served as a bi-vocational pastoral resident over the last 2 years. While working as a home health nurse full time, he also serves in discipling, teaching, and leading a community group.

He has joyfully been married to Anna McGraw since 2012 and they’ve been blessed with 4 enthusiastic children. Daniel enjoys time with his family, trout fishing, hiking, and camping.

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