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Our Leadership

 

Matt Sweeney

LEAD PASTOR

Matt moved to Brenham in February of 2019 to take on the role of Lead Pastor here at Grace, taking the baton from Mike Rod, who served faithfully for over twenty years as GCF Brenham’s founding pastor.

Born and raised in Wharton, Texas, Matt previously served as a pastor at GCF Wharton.  His heart is to see the lives of both young and old be completely transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ.  Matt loves preaching and teaching, training and supporting leaders, and serving in any capacity that he can.  He also enjoys reading, traveling, classic cars, and is a musician of over twenty years.

Over the years, Matt has been privileged to travel extensively with his father, Myles, preaching and ministering at many different places and events around the world, including Ukraine, Georgia, Africa, and Poland.  Matt has been married to his sweetheart, Oksana, since 2009.  They are blessed with four children: Logan, Chase, Madison, and Grant.

Chris Cates

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Chris serves GCF Brenham as an Associate Pastor, where he primarily oversees pastoral care, counseling, events, and community outreach.

The oldest of eight siblings, Texas-born Chris was raised in the church to serve God, and has also served our country in the United States Navy. He is a former people & project manager in the oil & gas industry, a quality manager for a major technology company. Chris loves helping others learn how to turn their lives around for God, and showing them how prayer requests can turn into praise reports. He enjoys music, traveling, motors, nature, and food.

Chris married his beloved wife Shelbie in 2008, and the dynamic duo are raising 2 beautiful girls: Reya Allyn and Melody Grace. Chris and Shelbie serve as Life Group leaders, discipleship mentors, and counselors.

Mike Tolopka

ELDER

Mike has been faithfully serving at Grace since 2004, beginning with serving as the Children’s Pastor alongside his wife, Leslie. 

After serving as both an Elder and an Associate Pastor for fourteen years at GCF Brenham, Mike stepped down from the role of Associate Pastor in January 2024, but remains an Elder, helping guide and direct the church alongside the other Elders.

Mike enjoys sharing the Word of God through his teachings and has had many opportunities to speak domestically and internationally, including at children and youth conferences, a men’s conference in Bulgaria, a Ukrainian Pastor’s conference, and most recently in the nation of Georgia, in addition to Sunday morning services at Grace.  

Mike married his wife Leslie in 1993, and they have four children: Ashley, Nicholas, Zachary, and Emily.  Mike and Leslie welcomed their first grandchild in 2020.  Mike and Leslie serve as Life Group leaders, and enjoy counseling married couples.   

Johnny Andrade

ELDER

Johnny serves as both an Elder and the Youth Pastor at GCF Brenham.  Johnny has served in ministry for over a decade as an Elder, and now, for the past several years in Youth Ministry alongside his wife, Dulce.

Johnny enjoys sharing the word of God through his teachings when he speaks to the youth weekly, and attending GMI youth camps at Charis Canyon.  Johnny’s heart is to serve and build relationships for the Kingdom, and he has a great love and huge heart for all people that he meets.

Johnny married his wife Dulce in 2003, and they have three children: Betzy, Giovanni, and Camila.

John Handy

ELDER

Bio coming soon.

Mark Becerra

ELDER

Mark serves GCF Brenham as an Elder, looking after the ministries of discipleship, intercession, and healing. He and his wife Michelle lead a Life Group in their home. 

Mark loves studying, preaching, and teaching the Word of God. Past ministry experiences include being lead pastor of a church on Maui, and a street evangelist among the homeless of Houston, where Mark prayed for and witnessed the Lord do wonderful miracles.

Mark and his beloved Michelle enjoy reading, travel, time at the beach or around a pool, gardening, working out, and gathering together with friends and family.

 

Join Us This Week

  • 9:00 AM Sunday
    First Service
  • 10:45 AM Sunday
    Second Service
  • 6:30 PM Wednesday
    Life Groups, Children, Youth

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