Pastors
Pastors
"to prepare God's people for works of service, so that
the body of Christ may be built up" - Ephesians 4:12
Our Pastoral Staff
John F. Smith - Lead Pastor - Teacher
John is most visible in his role as Senior Pastor on Sunday mornings, but his passion to help others grow in their relationship with Christ spills over into his entire week. John and his wife, Sharon, arrived in Lancaster in September of 1989. Under his leadership, Grace has experienced a growing ministry. Prior to his pastoral ministry at Grace, John led congregations in both the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas. He was equipped for ministry via his training at Philadelphia Biblical University, and Biblical Theological Seminary. In May of 2003, John was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from Grace Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry here at Grace, John occasionally teaches for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries and Lancaster Bible College and serves as a chaplain with the West Lampeter Township Police Department. John and Sharon love to take walks together and talk about becomimg grandparents. They have two daughters, Emily who is married to Matthew Hershey and Kate who is married to Ryan Aument. They also have a son, Tim who is married to Kelly Rohrer Smith.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 23)
Email: jsmith@gracewv.org
Al C. Reilly - Associate Pastor of Mission & Administration
It was in his senior year at Temple University in Philadelphia that Al came to faith in Christ through the ministry of Campus Crusade. About 7 months later, Al met his wife Linda who made a faith commitment to Christ shortly after meeting Al. From Temple, Al attended Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA. Al graduated from BTS in 1984. In the same graduating class was our very own Pastor John. Al has been in the pastorate for 25 years.
Al loves God’s Word, and loves to teach it to others. God opened the door for Al to enjoy teaching opportunities at New York School of the Bible, Philadelphia Biblical University, Lancaster Bible College and Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. In addition to his Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Seminary, Al has completed the class work toward his Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Al’s wife, Linda has been very supportive of Al and his ministry across the years. Al and Linda have been married for 31 years and have four adult children.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 24)
Email: areilly@gracewv.org
Shannon Hollinger - Associate Pastor of Impact Ministries
Shannon is normally found in the youth room interacting with middle school and high school students and their families. Shannon leads our student ministries program and diligently strives to provide opportunities for students to learn to love God and love others. Shannon and his wife April arrived in Lancaster in August of 2002. Shannon attended Grace during his middle school and high school years. Prior to returning to Grace, Shannon graduated from Grace College and Seminary with degrees in Christian Ministries, Business Administration, and Ministry and served as a Student Ministries Pastor in Columbus, OH for four years. Shannon and April have three great children, Ben, Jenna, and Emily.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 27)
Email: shollinger@gracewv.org
Robert Kern - Associate Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries
Pastor Bob’s love for studying God’s Word is most visible on Sunday mornings, teaching an Adult Bible Fellowship class for senior adults. His passion for each adult is that they will personally experience God’s great salvation, then grow in knowing Jesus and experience His joy and guidance in daily living. Before coming to Grace Church at Willow Valley as Associate Pastor of Senior Adults, Bob enjoyed pastoring several churches over forty plus years. You may hear his voice on WDAC with daily minute spots called “Bits of Truth”. He was trained at Wheaton College and Wheaton Graduate School, where he earned Masters Degrees in Christian Education and Pastoral Ministries. Bob and his wife Dorothy have five children and seven grandchildren and foster grandchildren. If you cannot find Pastor Bob in his study, or visiting people, you may happen to see him on the golf course or in the exercise room at Willow Valley.
Phone: 464-2782 (Extension 32)
Email: rkern@gracewv.org