Meet the staff
Jason caddy, Lead Pastor
Pastor Jason has served full time in the Church of the Nazarene since 1995 and became the Lead Pastor at Grace in June, 2019. Jason spent several years in staff ministry, primarily as a youth pastor but with other responsibilities in the areas of worship and finance. In 2002, he transitioned to the role of Senior Pastor and has enjoyed the calling of God on his life to serve the Kingdom, church and community. Jason’s favorite parts of ministry are meeting new people, seeing them get to know others in the church and establish new and transformational relationships. The desire to inspire others to embrace the love of Jesus in everyday life has become a daily goal whether it is through his preaching on Sunday, playing Softball on Thursday or hanging with neighbors on Saturday. That desire is founded in the simple words of Jesus: Love God and Love People!
Pastor Jason and Tina met and married (1993) in Nashville at Trevecca Nazarene University. They have four children: Zac, Luke, Shaina, Jesse. Jason and Tina spend most of their free time with their kids and the many different activities they find themselves involved with during their teen and college years. Otherwise, the waves of the beach consistently call their names. Jason also enjoys sports of all kinds (Varsity Football Official, basketball, softball, golf, etc) music and yard work.
Contact: jason@columbiagrace.org
BJ bolton , executive pastor
Pastor BJ has been on staff at Grace Church in the Executive Pastor role since 2014.
Before that, he served as the Discipleship Pastor for 2 years.
He has been a part of the Church of the Nazarene his whole life and believes strongly in its core values – to be a Christian people, a holy people, and a missional people.
BJ is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, holds a Bachelor's Degree from Nazarene Bible College in pastoral ministry, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary.
Pastor BJ is gifted in the areas of leadership, management, and administration. His passion and goal is to help Grace Church family and staff have all they need – physically, spiritually, and emotionally – to love and serve Jesus.
His most favorite thing to do is spend time with "his three girls"- his wife, Amber (Ber) and daughters, Ava and Emily. He finds great joy in home improvement projects and woodworking. He also enjoys puzzles, fishing, sports, game nights, and home-cooking. And if you're in need of a dad joke, he's got you covered!
Contact: bj@columbiagrace.org
Tonya marks, discipleship pastor
Pastor Tonya loves helping all ages grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. She and husband, Tracy, have been a part of the lives of the families of Grace Church since 1999. She served as children's pastor for over 20 years and now works with disciples of all ages.
Before coming to Grace, Tonya graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, taught public school and was a preschool pastor. Since being here, she has completed her ordination in the Church of the Nazarene and an M.A. in Christian Education from Northwest Nazarene University. Pastor Tonya has a passion for equipping Jesus followers to make disciples who make disciples who....you get the point, right? :-)
Her favorite role is being momma to Jay, Jeana and Levi! She's always up for a card or board game, is a homebody who loves people and pretty much never gets tired of pizza.
Contact: tonya@columbiagrace.org
ray brawner, student pastor
Pastor Ray has been on full time staff at Grace Church since April of 2015 as the administrative assistant. In October of 2017, he was announced as the Grace Student Ministries Pastor. Before being full-time, he served as the student ministries coordinator. Ray grew up in a Christian home in Maury County, TN. He accepted Christ at 10 years of age. Before coming to Grace Church he served as a Youth Leader in Mt. Pleasant, Tn for 7 years. Ray has a love for missions and has participated in 20 mission trips.
Ray has recently felt the call to full time ministry and is pursuing a ministerial preparation certificate from Nazarene Bible College and plans on seeking a Christian Ministry degree from Trevecca Nazarene University starting in the Spring of 2016.
Ray is married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany. Ray and Tiffany live in Hampshire and have three children Amy Carson, Jancin, and Isaac.
Ray loves spending time with his family, he loves to fish a cold creek, and enjoys attending athletic events of any sport. He also loves Notre Dame football and is a Green Bay Packer fan.
Contact: ray@columbiagrace.org
LAUREN LAIN, CHILDREN'S PASTOR
Pastor Lauren believes that no one is too young to experience the life-changing love of Jesus. Although she has served in various ministry capacities—preaching, worship, students, and kids—kids are by far her favorite. You’ll always find her at the kids' table.
Lauren completed a BA in Christian Ministry with a double concentration in Pastoral Ministry and Youth & Family Ministry from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in April of 2022 and is pursuing ordination as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Lauren loves the church, even considering herself a ’Naz Nerd’, and is thankful for the way the Church has loved, equipped, and supported her throughout her life and call.
Lauren loves coffee dates with family and friends, scavenging for antiques, baking pies, and all things music.
Contact: lauren@columbiagrace.org
Michelle noel, worship pastor
Pastor Michelle has a passion for music and felt a call into worship ministry during her time at Trevecca Nazarene University. Though graduating with a degree in Classical Voice, Michelle spent a large majority of her college career traveling with the worship band, Awaken, which cultivated a passion for leading others in worship. She traveled for three years leading camps, retreats, churches, and special events. During that time, she became best friends with the bass player (Philip) who happens to be her husband now! Columbia is now home and they love being a part of this community where they are raising their little one, Mateo. She was proudly ordained an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene in April 2024.
Michelle is a land-locked beach bum who enjoys being with friends and family, traveling, decorating spaces, and all things Christmas!
Contact: michelle@columbiagrace.org
Jennifer crigger, office administrator
Jennifer has been a part of Grace Church since attending a "Friend Day" in early 2000. She has volunteered with Grace Kids as a Sunday School teacher, participated in several Mission trips as the cook, and has served on the Women of Grace Team for the past 4 years. Jennifer was born and raised in Mt Elgin, Ontario, Canada and moved to Tennessee to marry the love of her life, Bobby, in 1997. She joined the staff team in December of 2017 after 20 years in the retail hardware business. Jennifer loves cats, a good bargain no matter where it may be found, cooking, and quiet nights at home with a good movie.
Contact: jennifer@columbiagrace.org
dawn o'brien, Office assistant
Dawn and her husband Ken have been a part of Grace Church since 1996. They have one son, Patrick, and a daughter-in-law, Rebekah. Dawn began working with the Grace Kids as a volunteer in 1998. She considers it a special blessing to be able to see children learn about Jesus.
Dawn served many years as Family Ministries Coordinator at Grace until March 2020 when she accepted her current role as Office Assistant. She has also enjoyed leading small groups, Bible studies, and adult classes. Dawn was employed as a preschool teacher at First Methodist Day School for eighteen years. She especially loves 3-year-old giggles, personalities and persistent inquisitiveness.
Dawn is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. Christmas is her favorite time of the year. Dawn enjoys cooking and decorating, but she seriously loves everything about Christmas. Her hobbies are her two dogs and Alabama football…Roll Tide Roll!
Contact: dawn@columbiagrace.org
