David Wewer

I Year Ago I Didn’t Even Know His Name – Brendan Ebner

“Little stuff like that. Just by us going to this place and introducing the gospel, loving people, and loving Jesus is opening doorways that were completely locked.” – Brendan Ebner

On this week’s episode of the Grace Unscripted Podcast, we get to hear the story of Brendan Ebner. Interwoven throughout Brendan’s story are connections to both the people and building of Grace Church well before he met Jesus or called Grace his home. Listen in as Brendan explains how Jesus has worked through childhood friendships, the trials of being thrust into adulthood at a young age, and how he now finds himself praying for others to come to know Jesus in the same rooms that would have been praying for him by name only a year ago.

If Brendan’s story has resonated with you or you have any questions, we would love to hear from you! You can email us at Unscripted@graceohio.org! We are also excited to let you know that we have a Grace Unscripted worship playlist made up of each guest’s favorite worship song, or songs! You can check the playlist out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xkOay7mU9SDKbeiRYfNCm?si=2928f6ecc26b47a6

Lead with Evangelism

“I think that every single person that I talk to is uniquely gifted and wired and it’s super cool. Instead of trying to get them to fit the thing that I want, we can go way further faster if we just lean into that.” – Sunni Gressock

This week on the Led to Lead podcast, Pastor Joe sits down with Sunni Gressock. Sunni is the Director of Groups & Missional Strategies at the Bath Campus of Grace Church, a mother of four with one on the way, and has a huge heart to reach the lost. Listen in as Joe and Sunni discuss her journey to where she is in ministry today and how she leads and trains the leaders around her to live on mission and prioritize evangelism as they themselves lead others.

If you want to hear a deeper dive into Sunni’s story of how God has moved in her life and how she got to where she is today, check out her episode on our Grace Unscripted podcast! You can find Sunni’s episode along with dozens of other stories from the people here at Grace Church here https://open.spotify.com/show/2lLnFzhmcQsz1zZdTeQbga?si=fcb6d882550043e3.

It’s all for God’s Glory- Steve LaVoie

“I’m very excited. A little nervous and I have many feelings, but it’s all for God’s glory. I’m very excited to see what God has in store” – Steve LaVoie

On this week’s episode of the Grace Unscripted Podcast, we get to hear the fascinating story of Steve LaVoie. Steve’s life is an incredible example of looking for God’s direction in every step of life. From growing up in rural Ohio and studying religions at a young age to finding himself in the mountains of Kenya, buckle up as Steve walks us through how God has been moving through his life and how he has been pursuing the missions field.

If Steve’s story has resonated with you or you have any questions, we would love to hear from you! You can email us at Unscripted@graceohio.org! We are also excited to let you know that we have a Grace Unscripted worship playlist made up of each guest’s favorite worship song, or songs! You can check the playlist out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xkOay7mU9SDKbeiRYfNCm?si=2928f6ecc26b47a6

Surrender to His Guidance

“I’ve concluded, I have exactly enough strength as I need to do the things that God has called me to do, but I don’t have enough strength to do the things that He’s called me to do plus the things that I think I should do.” – Dr. Juli Slattery

This week on the Led to Lead podcast, Pastor Joe sits down with Dr. Juli Slattery. Dr. Juli is a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker. She leads a ministry called Authentic Intimacy, which helps Christians navigate all sexual issues through content and discipleship. Listen in as she shares how God has molded her and how she leans on God’s direction on both her life and ministry as she has to lead others.

He Never Leaves Us By Ourselves – Wendy Gnap

“Its funny when you say ‘yes’ to God…He always equips. He puts people around you that are prayer warriors, puts people around you that are good at leading the conversations and being connectors and leading to the next thing, and people who are strong in the Word and can connect what you’re saying back to scripture. He never leaves us by ourselves.” – Wendy Gnap

On this week’s episode of the Grace Unscripted Podcast, we get to hear the story of Wendy Gnap. Wendy is a recent addition to the Grace Church staff and is passionate about helping other women figure out what God is calling them to do and help them say ‘yes’ to what God has for them. Listen in as Wendy shares how Jesus moved in her story and how she now gets to use her story to help other women understand that they are not alone and how much Jesus loves them.

If Wendy’s story has resonated with you or you have any questions, we would love to hear from you! You can email us at Unscripted@graceohio.org! We are also excited to let you know that we have a Grace Unscripted worship playlist made up of each guest’s favorite worship song, or songs! You can check the playlist out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xkOay7mU9SDKbeiRYfNCm?si=2928f6ecc26b47a6

Vulnerability With Those You Lead

This week on the Led to Lead podcast, Pastor Joe sits down with Mark Steller. Mark is currently the Director of Sports Integration at Grace Church and before that spent over 15 years leading sales teams across the State of Ohio. Come listen in as Joe and Mark discuss a bit of Mark’s past year, his testimony, and how God has been shaping and directing Mark as he himself leads others.

Wherever You Take Me, I’ll Follow – Julie Starr

“I choose Him every single day and it’s my most favorite thing in the entire world because of all the uncertainty, all of the fear, and all of the times friends let you down…man, when you have Jesus who can be against you?” – Julie Starr

This week on the Grace Unscripted Podcast, we get to hear the incredible story of Julie Starr. Julie grew up in a small town in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and from a young age her artistic and adventurous spirit shined. Even though she grew up going to church, Julie didn’t give her life to Jesus until her 30s and it was a wild road to get there. Through the loss, trials, and difficulties in her life, Jesus showed up!

If Julie’s story has resonated with you or you have any questions, we would love to hear from you! You can email us at Unscripted@graceohio.org! We are also excited to let you know that we have a Grace Unscripted worship playlist made up of each guest’s favorite worship song, or songs! You can check the playlist out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xkOay7mU9SDKbeiRYfNCm?si=2928f6ecc26b47a6

Hearing from God and Investing in Others

On this week’s episode of the Led to Lead podcast, Pastor Joe gets to sit down with Ron Kent. Ron is first and foremost a husband and father of two, but he is also the Executive Director of Akron Youth Mentorship, a K-12 boys and girls mentorship and discipleship organization, and has recently stepped into a leadership role in an organization called Youth Success Summit. Ron has a huge passion for pouring into and developing people whether that be the kids that take part in the organizations he is leading in or other leaders who are also focusing on pouring into those kids. Listen in to the conversation as Joe and Ron discuss all sorts of topics like healthy rhythms and managing time, leading and developing leaders, and so much more!

Walk with Me as We Pursue Jesus

On this week’s episode of the Led to Lead podcast, we get to hear from a long-time member of the Grace Church family, Bob Martinez. Listen in as Bob shares how he went from not believing in Jesus to Jesus getting a hold of his heart, how others then poured into and led him well, and how he now continues to faithfully follow and lean on Jesus as he leads and walks with others.

The Grave Has No Claim on Me – Ben Troyer

“It didn’t fix my depression. I still had that, but I’m no longer going to bed asking if I could not wake up in the morning. I’m going to bed saying, ‘God, I don’t know why you have me in this right now, but I know you’ve gotten me through this far and we’re going to do this again tomorrow.”

This week on the Grace Unscripted Podcast, we get to hear the incredible story of Ben Troyer. Through growing up church hopping and having his faith shaken at a young age to struggling with mental health, Ben’s story is one of many ups and downs. However, the consistent thread throughout it all is God working through those around him and redeeming the situations and struggles that seemed the hardest all while leading Ben into a life that he never saw coming.”

If Ben’s story has resonated with you or you have any questions, we would love to hear from you! You can email us at Unscripted@graceohio.org! We are also excited to let you know that we have a Grace Unscripted worship playlist made up of each guest’s favorite worship song, or songs! You can check the playlist out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xkOay7mU9SDKbeiRYfNCm?si=2928f6ecc26b47a6