Our Team — Graceway Presbyterian Church

MINISTRY STAFF

Senior Pastor

Pastor David grew up in a Christian home in Buffalo (Go Bills!) and came to a deeper, personal faith in college. This led him to spend far too many years in school, but he eventually graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv '93 and PhD '03) and got ordained in 2003. He joined the pastoral staff in 1999 thinking that it would be a temporary stay, but he, his wife, and their children fell in love with the congregation and, sensing God's call, have remained ever since. He is so grateful to have been able to accompany the congregation and to have witnessed their faithfulness for more than two decades. His passion continues to be the teaching and preaching of God's Word, and it is his ongoing prayer that the church will trust God's Word and encourage one another to follow Jesus Christ and invite others to him.

Associate Pastor

Pastor Hannah is the associate pastor and has been serving in many different ministries at Graceway, especially in education ministry. She graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has been in ministry ever since. She loves being able to use all her gifts to serve the church. Aside from spending time with her two kids and husband, Pastor Hannah enjoys listening to covers and standing on her hands. She hopes to always live out Proverbs 3:5–6 and encourages herself and others with the motto, “little by little.” Pastor Hannah’s love language is acts of service, and she looks forward to what God has in store for Graceway.

ELDERS

Elder

Grace has been part of the Graceway family since July 2012. The daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Grace came to faith as a little girl and remembers loving to pray with her mother nightly. It was in college, though, that Grace came to understand in a deeper way how much God loved her. Currently, Grace continues her pursuit to know God and share his love with her students at The Wilberforce School in Princeton, New Jersey. Grace lives in Lawrenceville with her husband (Steven), daughter (Hope), and family dog (Bella). If you know Grace, you know she loves knitting, watercoloring, and plants! And as part of Graceway's Welcoming Team for many years, she loves greeting and meeting old and new friends!

Elder

After visiting only two churches during the first couple of weeks of freshman year, Lina knew that Graceway (called Praise in ’98) was home. She then met her husband, Harry, years later after she returned from a China mission trip over donuts during fellowship time. They have 3 kids (Naomi, Harrison, and Emmett) and one beloved bernedoodle named Bailey. Over the years, Lina has been involved in several ministries, but is most passionate about small groups. She has been leading her current Fellowship Group for the past 18 years and loves doing life with the sisters of Graceway. Lina now works in finance with a pharmaceutical company after 2 decades of being a retail pharmacist. Her favorite activities include laughing with friends, knitting while watching Netflix, and vegging at home with her family. Coming to faith at a young age but then having some wayward years, Lina found the most encouragement from Tolkien's quote “Not all those who wander are lost” and from Psalm 73. She is convinced that being part of a church community for the long game is to experience God’s transformative work in faith and discipleship.

Elder

Sarah (along with her husband, Joe, and two sons, Jeremy and Aiden) came upon Graceway during their search for a new home church and soon after committed to membership in the fall of 2016. She grew up attending a small church, serving in Sunday School and Youth Group for many years. Although she knew who God was and what He did for us, it wasn't until college that she truly felt and experienced God's majesty and unconditional love. After many years of working in the corporate world, God has led her to the service of teaching at a private Christian school. She never ceases to be in awe at how God makes Himself known and reminds us of His enduring presence and love, especially when we need to be reminded! She prays that Graceway may also relish in the moments of awe at the wonderful God we serve.

Elder

Heeki has been attending Graceway, then Praise Presbyterian Church, since 2002 and was one of the original fifty signatories in our charter to become an independent church in 2003. While he grew up in the church, his faith particularly blossomed in his high school and college years, when he took his faith more seriously, reading, worshiping, and serving where able. Heeki previously served on Session from 2010 to 2016 and is thankful for the opportunity to return to Session in 2023. Heeki experienced a reawakening while on a mission trip to Kenya in 2022, where he committed to a season of waiting on and listening to God in prayer. Heeki is married to Sue and has three kids, Josiah, Abigail, and Emma. Heeki works at Amazon Web Services as a technology consultant.

Elder

Francis and Katherine Ryu with their two children, Isaac and Janey, have been part of the Graceway family since 2004. For the Ryu family, being part of the church has always meant serving the community. As a result, Francis has been serving whenever the need arises, whether it is leading FG, teaching the children, or serving on Session. In his spare time, Francis works as a data scientist and is working toward his half-marathon PR.

Elder

DEACONS

Deacon

Jim began attending Graceway in 2006. He grew up in South Jersey, where having a church community and serving the church was modeled for him by his family. As his faith grows, Jim strives to steward the gifts and talents that God has given him to serve Christ and His people. He has served in various ministries at Graceway, including leading Financial Peace University. He is currently serving with the stewardship and social media teams. Jim can often be spotted wearing Eagles green as he is an avid Philly sports fan. Jim lives in Bridgewater with his wife, Jennie, and their two daughters, Jamie and Jessie.

Deacon

Danielle has been attending Graceway since 2000 and considers herself an extroverted introvert. She enjoys experiencing God in the many ways He’s available to us through nature, the arts, literature, and people – meaning she is down for most things! Having a natural tendency to fear the unknown, she is reminded again and again to not fear and have courage because God is with her. She is reminded of all the times the Lord has shown up in big and small ways in her life, and the importance of small acts of ordinary faithfulness. It's her wild hope that the Church will experience God in new and meaningful ways, and that we can experience this together as we walk alongside each other. Life is full in suburbia with two sweet but energetic girls, her parents, and a loving husband.

Deacon

Kat has been a member of Graceway since 2004. Her husband, Francis, and her are enjoying empty nesting after seeing their children off into the world. She has served for many years on the fellowship team as well as teaching the children. Kat enjoys cooking and baking for people as a way of showing her love and care for her Graceway family. Kat is also leading the Women’s Ministry with a team of amazing women and is looking forward to sharing the abundant love of God with the women of Graceway.