Ministry Leadership

Danny Bennett
Lead Pastor
Danny and Karen have been residents of Pinellas County since 1999. They have two grown children: Hunter and Kayleigh. Hunter is the Preteen Pastor at Northview Church in Carmel, Indiana. He is married to Abby, who holds a Master's degree in Family and Marriage Counseling. They have two children: a son named Mac and a daughter named Lochlan. Kayleigh works as a kindergarten teacher at Countryside Christian Academy and is married to Jake Trimble. They live in Dunedin, Florida, and attend Grace City Church, where they lead a "Young Adult" Life Group.
In April 2022, Danny and Karen teamed up with a dedicated group of people to start a new church in North Pinellas County. Within four months, they had named this church "Grace City Church." Danny and Karen want to create a church where Family Ministries are important—a place where preschoolers, children, students, and adults can find community, support, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. They aim to lead a church with authentic worship, practical messages, and genuine people.
Danny has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Samford, where she and Danny met in 1987. She now leads the Women’s Ministry at Grace City and enjoys teaching Women’s Bible Studies.
In April 2022, Danny and Karen teamed up with a dedicated group of people to start a new church in North Pinellas County. Within four months, they had named this church "Grace City Church." Danny and Karen want to create a church where Family Ministries are important—a place where preschoolers, children, students, and adults can find community, support, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. They aim to lead a church with authentic worship, practical messages, and genuine people.
Danny has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Samford, where she and Danny met in 1987. She now leads the Women’s Ministry at Grace City and enjoys teaching Women’s Bible Studies.

Tom Hudgins
Associate Pastor
Tom Hudgins has a genuine passion for people! Tom has served as a Student Pastor in both Alabama and Clearwater, Florida. In 2000, he transitioned to leading a full-time ministry called Judgement House, which he founded in 1983. Judgement House is a walk-through Gospel presentation that shares the significance of people's choices and their consequences, both in this life and the next. It has been presented in churches around the world, with hundreds of thousands coming to know Christ through it.
Tom and his wife, Karen, have also planted a church in Pinellas County, and Tom has served as a campus pastor at a local church. Currently, as Grace City's Associate Pastor, Tom provides leadership for Men's Ministry, Discipleship, Groups, and Assimilation. Both Tom and Karen are talented speakers and singers, and they occasionally lead worship.
You will never meet a more welcoming and encouraging couple than Tom and Karen Hudgins. We are incredibly grateful to have them leading and serving at Grace City!
Tom and his wife, Karen, have also planted a church in Pinellas County, and Tom has served as a campus pastor at a local church. Currently, as Grace City's Associate Pastor, Tom provides leadership for Men's Ministry, Discipleship, Groups, and Assimilation. Both Tom and Karen are talented speakers and singers, and they occasionally lead worship.
You will never meet a more welcoming and encouraging couple than Tom and Karen Hudgins. We are incredibly grateful to have them leading and serving at Grace City!

Lara Allen
Student Ministry Leader and Administrative Assistant
Lara has a heart for students, growing them spiritually and pointing them to Jesus. She is no stranger to this age group, as she and her husband have three teenage children at home. Lara teaches the truth of God's Word, helps students develop a Biblical worldview, and offers fun and exciting events to build and foster relationships.

Arielle Funk
Children's Ministry Leader
Arielle is married to Todd Funk, and they have two young boys. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and spent 9 years teaching elementary school in Florida. Arielle is thrilled to combine her passion for education with her love for Jesus Christ through her work with Grace City Kids. She strives to make Kids’ Church a fun place where everyone can dive into a deeper understanding of the Bible and build lasting friendships with other Christian kids!

Haley Echavarria
Pre-School Ministry Leader
Haley grew up in Tarpon Springs and has a profound love for her community. She holds degrees in children's counseling and Biblical studies, along with a preschool teacher certification. With many years of experience in preschool education, Haley's passion for teaching young children is central to everything she does.
She is particularly dedicated to bringing the Bible to life. Haley believes that preschool ministry is a unique way to serve and nurture both the children in our church and their families, creating a supportive environment where faith and learning go hand in hand.
She is particularly dedicated to bringing the Bible to life. Haley believes that preschool ministry is a unique way to serve and nurture both the children in our church and their families, creating a supportive environment where faith and learning go hand in hand.

Kevin Sexton
International Missons Team Leader
Kevin Sexton has partnered with Spero International Medical Missions and Caribbean Hyperbaric Medicine to provide the needed medical supplies and equipment to meet the needs in the Caribbean and other international projects. Kevin has led teams to Grenada for many years and will focus the mission teams of Grace City Church to meet the needs of people both medically and spiritually.
Elders & Deacons

Michael Allen
Elder
Michael is a Kentucky native and relocated to Florida in 2012. His wife Lara and three children are all active participants at Grace City Church. A chemist by training, Michael runs a marketing team for a scientific instrument company. He enjoys spending his free time with his family - primarily at local sporting events. While he believes he is way too young to be "elder," he enjoys serving alongside so many other talented leaders at Grace City Church

Jim Andrews
Deacon
James and his wife, Magalis, have been part of Grace City Church since its inception. They both truly enjoy helping others. Magalis is actively involved in greeting and introducing new guests to the church. James, along with several other church members, works to ensure that our Sunday service is available for online guests to view. They are avid fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning and love spending time with their five grandchildren.

Stephen Controneo
Deacon
Stephen was born and raised in Rhode Island, also known as the Ocean State. After spending several years in the construction industry, he and his beautiful wife, Nancy, moved to Tarpon Springs. They both enjoy exploring the outdoors through activities like camping, biking, and kayaking. Stephen is also the co-leader of Grace City's local mission team, which helps those in need throughout the community.

Ed Gilman
Elder
Ed and his wife Ann are both native Floridians. They grew up in Pensacola and were high school sweethearts. They have two daughters and 5 grandchildren. Ed is an ordained minister, graduate of New Orleans Baptist Seminary and has served in three churches. For 20 years he was the Associational Director for Suncoast Baptist Association in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Ed's favorite activity is studying the Word of God and teaching others.
His life verse paraphrased, is: “If you have faith, even as small as a mustard seed, nothing would be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:20
His life verse paraphrased, is: “If you have faith, even as small as a mustard seed, nothing would be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:20

Jim Jackson
Elder
Jim and his wife Becky love serving people. They have both served together on several mission trips including disaster relief. Jim has served as a deacon in two other churches and was ordained in 1982. Jim has studied and taught the Bible for over forty years.

Floyd Miller
Elder
Floyd and his wife Pam are grateful to be part of the Grace City Church family and feel privileged to serve on both the Connect and Prayer Teams, with Floyd also serving as an Elder. Originally from “Sweet Home Alabama,” they’ve cherished their 40 years in sunny Florida. Blessed with two married sons, a married daughter, and four granddaughters, all living nearby, “Pammy and Pops” enjoy attending their granddaughters’ athletic and school events. They are excited to witness lives being transformed as we all strive to Grow in Grace, Love like Jesus, and Go Share Him with the World.

Dan Russell
Deacon
Dan has been serving our Lord since 1982. Turning his life over to the Lordship and control of Jesus was undoubtedly the best decision Dan has ever made. The second best decision was asking his bride of 39 years for her hand in marriage. Dan and Fina have been married since 1986 and have three grown children and six "grand dogs."
Previously, Dan served as an elder at his church in Colorado and is currently serving as a Deacon at GCC. He also plays the bass guitar in our worship team. Dan and Fina believe that being available for service in the local church is a core value and of utmost importance. They currently reside in Tarpon Springs and have been members of GCC since 2023
Previously, Dan served as an elder at his church in Colorado and is currently serving as a Deacon at GCC. He also plays the bass guitar in our worship team. Dan and Fina believe that being available for service in the local church is a core value and of utmost importance. They currently reside in Tarpon Springs and have been members of GCC since 2023

Scott Tucker
Deacon
Scott, a lifelong Floridian, has been married to the love of his life, Gail, since 1991. He loves spending time outdoors, whether working in the yard, tending to his garden, or fishing on his boat. His faith in Christ is central to his life, with his greatest joy being time spent with friends and family. Scott’s favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 27:19: “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”

Steve Zagzebski
Elder
Steve, a Wisconsin native, met his wife Kary in Wausau. Although Wisconsin was home for many years, they traded the cold for the sunshine of Florida in 2018. After a successful career in Information Technology and Finance, Steve is now embracing the joys of retirement. He and Kary have three children and four grandchildren, living in Wisconsin and Texas. Since moving to Florida, Steve has found Grace City to be the perfect community to continue growing in his walk with Christ