Leadership

Pastors, Elders, Deacons & Staff

Jeff Eckert

Pastor of Preaching & Vision

Jeff has served as Pastor of Preaching and Vision at Gracelife Beachside since the church relaunched in January of 2018. This is his second church plant, as he helped plant Gracelife Church in Deltona, Florida in 2015 with his good friend, Tommy Clayton.

Jeff has been married to his wife Lauren since 2010 and they have 3 sons - Jeremiah, Jonathan, and Jude. Jeff attended the Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, California where he has two earned masters degrees - A Masters of Divinity (2010) and a Masters of Theology in New Testament (2013).

Jeff is also passionate about counseling and walking with people through their pain and suffering. He is certified with the Association of Biblical Counselors, is certified with the HeartMath Institute in trauma informed breathwork therapy, and is currently pursuing his doctorate at Southern Seminary in Louisville.

Favorite Quote: “Holiness is nothing but the implanting, writing and living out the gospel in our souls” - John Owen

Stephen Collins

Executive Pastor (Elder Chair)

Stephen first believed the gospel at fifteen. Over the last twenty-five-plus years—in relative ease and a little difficulty—Stephen has grown to understand more and more deeply the truth that the gospel is for all of life and that all of life is for Jesus Christ.

Stephen wants the good news of salvation, acceptance, and love in Christ to permeate his life, and he wants to see others enjoy the same.

Stephen is married to his wife, Elizabeth. They have been happily married since December, 2006. They have four daughters who add love, joy, beauty, humility, and prayer to their lives.
Stephen enjoys surfing, running, literature, philosophy, theology, steak, and other stuff. He has a heart to serve Christ at GraceLife Beachside and prays to this end.

Stephen's Favorite Verse - “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:23).

Tim Harbuck

Elder

Tim and Lyn have been happily married for 41 years and have four adult children, Christi, TJ, Buddy and Joey. Their kids have not only been a great blessing to them, but they have also been very instrumental in fostering their prayer lives (you know how kids can be 😊 ). They have seven grandchildren, Katelyn, Lindsey, Kendall, Daniel, James, Madison and Scarlet (and many more hopefully).

Tim has served in pretty much every capacity at Gracelife since its launch in 2018. Tim was our first head greeter, has led Bible studies, preached at times, led a homegroup for a season, and also served as a deacon since the church’s inception. Tim currently serves as an elder and teaches Equip on Sunday mornings. Lyn, his wife, works in the children’s ministry serving faithfully in the nursery.

Tim’s Favorite Expression: “*If we want people to change, we just have to get them to understand how much God’s loves them.*”

Tom Tacker

Elder

Tom and his wife, Nancy, knew and loved Pastor Jeff and Lauren for many years before the founding of Gracelife beachside. They have been members of the church since it’s inception in January 2018. They especially love their Gracelife home group, led by Brad and Cindy Gornto.

Tom and Nancy have been happily married 40 years and have four children - Nikki, Fred (technically son-in-law), Ben and Daniel as well as two grandchildren (so far, keep ‘em coming, kids!) Naomi and Hannah.

Tom leads the church new member orientation and teaches in the children’s church. He is an economics professor; Nancy is an advanced practice RN

Tom's Favorite Expression -   “at our church it’s OK to belong before you believe. “

Todd Bentzel

Elder

Todd and his wife, Shari, have been members of the church since they moved here in 2021.  Todd has served in various church ministries over the last 35+ years.  Through all those different positions, Todd found that his passion is to serve in Care Group ministry and Counseling, especially Couples Counseling with Shari.  

Todd and Shari have been married since 1988.  They have 3 children, Ellie, Shane, and Sophie.  They love to spend time with their children and grandchildren.  
Todd currently serves as a Care Group leader and leads the Care Group ministry.  He has a desire to see Care Group leaders grow in their love and support of the people in their groups.  Todd and Shari also provide a Couples Ministry, Tune-Up Talks, that meets once a month. It equips couples with tools to help them grow in their marriages.  

One of Todd’s favorite passages is from Ephesians 2:  
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

Meet the Deacons

Paul Christakis

Deacon

Cindy Gornto

Deacon

Shari Bentzel

Deacon

Remi "Keylo" Lewis

Deacon

Mike DeHoyos

Deacon

Louie DiDonna

Deacon

Laura Lynn

Deacon

Yolanda Cintron

Deacon

Dan Helwig

Deacon

Richard Miller

Deacon

Jack McDade

Deacon

 

Meet the Staff

Stephen Collins

Executive Pastor

Rachel Edmonds

Children's Ministry Coordinator

Jen McDade

Worship Leader