Joe Wassink

Joe grew up within two miles of where Grace Community Church now calls home, having graduated from Elida High School in 1982. In 1987, having earned an accounting degree from Ohio State, he spent a year with a Fortune 500 Company in Dayton before coming home to work in a field totally unrelated to his educational background – Christian television at WTLW TV 44. Although not a Christian when he was initially hired, it was at TV 44 where his heart was being radically shaped by the Lord, finally trusting in Jesus as Savior in the spring of 1989. It was also at TV 44 where Joe met his future wife Michele Nungester.

In October 2005, with a stirring in his own spirit, and the simultaneous numerical growth being experienced at Grace Community Church, presenting a need for a full-time associate pastor, Joe began seeking the Lord in earnest regarding the position. All doors remained open through discussions with Pastor John in that same month, the elder board in January 2006 and finally with the congregation in May 2006. After 18 years at TV 44, Joe came on staff full-time on August 22, 2006. Joe’s responsibilities include: church administration, as well as assimilating both new people and current attendees by encouraging people to use their spiritual gifts for service in God’s Kingdom and forming new small groups.

Joe & Michele have three children: Lincoln (13), Micah (9) and Kaylee (7).