LEADERSHIP

GraceWay was born out of the prayers of three leaders at Heritage Baptist Church in Orefield- a small town in the northern Lehigh Valley. Sensing the need for a church that is committed to truth and amazed by God’s grace in Bethlehem City, these three men began in May of 2009 to discuss the possibility of starting a new church for the glory of God. It was not long before the possibility of GraceWay became a reality. We are thankful for the support and guidance of Heritage Baptist Church as they have helped us in so many ways to start GraceWay.

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Jim Lowe, Lead Pastor

Formerly serving as the assisting pastor of Music and Worship at Heritage, Jim has now assumed the role as our lead pastor for preaching and vision. Originally from the Telford area, he has lived in Southeastern Pa his whole life. Jim was raised by a single mom whose faithfulness to God encouraged him to serve Jesus with his life. When he was very young, Jim accepted Christ as his Savior and chose to pursue ministry while still in high school. Following high school, he completed a Bachelors Degree in Biblical Evangelism from Northland International University followed by a Master of Divinity degree from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Theology degree. It is his desire that through academic discipline he might be more equipped to serve GraceWay through the accurate interpretation, application and presentation of God’s Word. As Jim has grown in Christ, both academically and spiritually, he has become thankful for the many mentors who were like fathers to him and showed him what it meant to love Jesus. He is excited to mentor other believers in the same way.

One passage of Scripture that ignites a fire in his soul for God’s glory comes from the book of Ephesians where in chapter two it explains how “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!” It is this amazing grace of God that Jim hopes to share with every person as they encounter our church.  As the lead shepherd at GraceWay, one of Jim’s main responsibilities is the proclamation of the Word.  He also provides oversight and direction for the leadership team in carrying out our vision to display God's glory through the gospel as a community of believers in Bethlehem City.  Jim is married to his Russian sweetheart Olga, and they have two daughters, Ella and Milana, and live in the neighborhood of Alburtis near Macungie. They are looking forward to moving to Bethlehem as soon as they are able.  Jim would appreciate any help he can find in learning how to golf and/or snow ski.

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Nate Agentis, Leader of Growth Ministries

Nate is the leader of our GraceWay Growth Ministries. Having grown up in Bethlehem City, his passion for serving God began at a young age when as a child he trusted Christ as his Savior and gave his life to Jesus. Since then he has taken “baby steps” of obedience through the guidance of God’s Word and has pursued knowing Christ both academically and practically. Academically, Nate has pursued biblical education through the Heritage Bible Institute and has recently begun taking classes at Calvary Baptist Seminary in Lansdale, Pa.

Practically, his experience in ministry at Heritage has thoroughly prepared him to work with youth and adult ministries as well as service ministries. We are also thankful for Nate’s personal touch on the city of Bethlehem as he shines the light of Christ through his leadership role in his family’s plumbing business. The driving force for his personal ministry to GraceWay is founded on Psalm 72 where God’s glory shines as the ultimate reason to meet the physical and spiritual needs of his city. “May [God’s] name endure forever, His fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in Him, all nations call Him blessed. . .” He desires that the world will know the Fame of God through a life and ministry devoted to His word and a passion for His holiness. Nate is married to Melanie who is his best friend and has three children: Lola, Logan and Riley. If you can’t find him at work or gathering with his church family, check the back yard; he’s probably wrestling with his kids or teaching them how to swing a golf club. (Maybe he can show Jim a thing or two . . .)

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Chris Spenner, Leader of Service and Outreach Ministries

Chris is our leader of Service and Outreach Ministries. Originally from a small town in Illinois, he has also lived in California and New Jersey. His business as a sales representative finally brought him to Bethlehem City about ten years ago, just before he believed on Jesus for salvation. After visiting Heritage Baptist for a short time, Chris became convinced of the truth of the gospel and forfeited a life of empty religious practice for a life committed whole-heartedly to following Christ. 

Since then, he has grown academically through the Heritage Bible Institute and has served exceptionally as the Chairman of the Deacon Board and Awana Commander at Heritage Baptist. He has recently begun Master level classes at Calvary Baptist Seminary in Lansdale, Pa. and is intrigued by the studies of apologetics and Creation science. Chris has a heart for family and children’s ministries as well as further church planting opportunities. It has become his prayer to see those who are religious throw off their religion for a real, biblical relationship with Jesus. One text that drives his perspective is 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Supporting him in his ministry to us is his wife Tammy and their children. Get to know Chris, and you’re sure to be offered a cup of his home-roasted exotic coffee- something we hope will become part of the GraceWay culture .

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...But Grow In The Grace & Knowledge Of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ...

Committed to Truth . . .

                                      . . . Amazed by Grace!