Pastors
Jim Wehrer – Senior Pastor – Trustee/ Board Vice President
Jim grew up in Northern Jersey and gave his heart to Christ at the age of 19. Soon after he felt God was leading him to begin training for ministry. He spent 6 years as a youth pastor before joining the staff of The Church of Grace and Peace in 2001. Jim was GAP’s youth pastor for 10 years until becoming an Associate Pastor in July of 2011. In August of 2013 Jim was installed as Grace and Peace’s Lead Pastor as a part of the transition process to receive the leadership baton from our Founding Pastor Walter Healy. On November 20, 2016, the transition was completed and Jim was installed as Senior Pastor. Jim has a Bachelor of Theology Degree from International Seminary in Florida and is a founding partner with the John Maxwell Team as a certified leadership growth and development coach, speaker and trainer. Jim carries a passion for the local church as well as leadership development and strong healthy marriages and families. Contact Jim
Walt Healy – Apostolic Overseer / Founding Pastor / Trustee Board President
Walt Healy is presently serving as apostolic overseer of The Church of Grace and Peace, as head of FaithNet USA, as Chancellor of Wagner Leadership Institute, Toms River, as overseer of the Apostolic Council of Christ Covenant Coalition, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, and as Dover Township Police Chaplain.
Walt also serves on the Boards of The Church of Grace and Peace, Community Compass, Faith Net USA, Promised Land Equipping Network, End-Time Ministries, The Hope Center, Christ Covenant Coalition, Melva Lea Ministries, The United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, and Shore Community Land Trust. He has seven children and twenty-seven grandchildren, all who currently reside in the Toms River area where they have been since 1968.
Maureen Healy – Co-Founding Pastor
Maureen Healy is a wife, mother, grandmother and pastor. She is mother of seven children and grandmother of twenty-five! She was born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1973. Since then she has been involved in different ministries such as prayer meetings, Women’s Aglow, tape lending library and retreats. Maureen co-founded The Church of Grace and Peace with her husband, Walter, in 1985. Presently she travels with her husband in connection with the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders and FaithNet USA.
Ralph Freda – Senior Associate Pastor
Ralph Freda joined the staff of The Church of Grace and Peace in 1987 and was one of the founding trustees of the church. He is currently the Senior Associate Pastor and a pastoral Elder. Ralph oversees all Christian Education here at The Church of Grace and Peace which includes discipleship, formal education and periodic informal education. As a Pastoral Overseer he helps coordinates pastoral care, church membership, water baptism, and baby/child dedications. Ralph was saved in June 1979. Prior to becoming a pastor he taught guitar and 5-string banjo. He was also a production coordinator at a military manufacturing plant. In 2009 he received his Doctorate Diploma in Practical Ministry from the Wagner Leadership Institute. Presently Ralph also serves as Dean of the Wagner Leadership Institute-Toms River. Ralph and his wife, Rosemary, have one adult son John. To Ralph, his greatest experiences with God are being able to hear His voice and to know His mercies are new every morning. Contact Ralph
James Wheeler – Worship Pastor
Tom Kluender – Counseling Pastor
Tom joined the pastoral staff of The Church of Grace and Peace in 2010 as Counseling Pastor. Tom oversees the men’s counseling department and oversees leadership development. Tom regularly teaches at GAP’s Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS), Institute of Biblical Counsel (IBC) and has taught at Wagner Leadership Institute (WLI). Tom also serves as Pastor of Redeemed City Ministries, an addiction recovery aftercare program. Tom’s ministry passion is to see men’s lives changed and when men’s lives are changed families are changed which changes communities. Tom is married to his wonderful wife Josette and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Contact Tom
Tom Hoffman – Pastor
Tom has been married to Sandra for 28 years and has two sons. The oldest son, Joe, was married in 2014 and is now living in California. Their youngest son, Brian, is currently engaged to be married and living in Toms River.
His Bible-based background includes the following: graduate of The Grace and Peace Institute of Biblical Studies and The Grace and Peace School of Ministry. In addition, Tom is a licensed/staff pastor, itinerate minister at various churches in the areas of Pastoral Care Counseling for individuals, groups, couples, families and bereavement issues. His academic degrees include the following: AAS in Business/Paralegal, BA in Natural Science/Mathematics, Masters in Counseling and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Tom was also a High School teacher in Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, Pre-engineering instructor and Robotics. He holds numerous patents, invention disclosures and related documents in various areas of Chemistry. Tom is the author and producer of “Healing Scriptures CD.” Contact Tom
Bob Oettinger – Discipleship Pastor
Bob Oettinger joined the staff at The Church of Grace and Peace in April 1999 and oversees our Life in the Vine Discipleship. His ministry passion is to see others come to a place of maturity in Christ, bearing fruit for Him, and expanding His kingdom through their gifts and talents. Bob and his wife Debbie have two children. He enjoys his grandbabies and would like to travel to Alaska, Israel and the mid-west. Contact Bob
Lisa Martin – Children’s Pastor
Lisa Martin came to the Church of Grace and Peace in 1990 and began serving in children and youth ministry. In 1993 she pioneered the mid-week children ministries, Rangers and Missionettes. In 1995 she became licensed as a Minister and has since become a Pastor and Elder. Lisa grew up in Toms River. After graduating high school she completed the Discipleship Training School at Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and served in local and foreign missions. She has a wonderful family, her husband Steve of over 25 years, a daughter and two sons. Contact Lisa
Gabrielle Huber – Co-Youth Pastor
Gab has been a youth pastor at Grace and Peace since 2012, and has a heart to see the youth of Ocean County catch a fire for God and to see God use her to change the world. Gab loves anything with fall, friends and family. She enjoys art, the outdoors and chocolate. Together with her husband Nate they pour their heart and soul in to seeing God touch the next generation. Contact Gabrielle
Nate Huber – Co-Youth Pastor
Nate has been a youth pastor at Grace and Peace since 2012, and has a heart to see the youth of Ocean County catch a fire for God and to see God use him to change the world. Nate is something of an outdoorsman, loves adventures to anywhere and loves all things Star Wars. Together with his wife Gab, they pour their heart and soul in to seeing God touch the next generation. Contact Nate
Cherryl Baker – Visitation Pastor
Cherryl Baker has been a long standing Member of the Church of Grace and Peace. The church has been such an important and blessed part of her life. It is such a humbling blessing and joy in Cherryl’s life to be used by the Holy Spirit to oversee the Hospital Home Visitation Ministry and to be a spiritual, supportive and listen present to someone in need. This program has offered much need compassion, visitation, support and comfort, for individuals and families, who are going through a time of emergency and or medical difficulties. Cherryl has been and is involved in many different ministries in the church. Cherryl is currently the beloved Chaplin at Children’s Specialized Hospital, per diem Chaplin at Community Medical Center and one of the Emergency Response Chaplin’s for Ocean County. She is a retired nurse and Human Service worker. Cherryl has been married for 43 years, has 6 children, 22 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
Board of Trustees
Susan Brown – Trustee
Fred Cordisco – Trustee
Fred Cordisco joined the Board in January 2014. Fred is a First Vice President of Investments with UBS Financial Services. Prior to joining UBS, he was a First Vice President Financial Advisor and Resident Director with Merrill Lynch. He was the former Resident Director of the Year Recipient as manager for 11 years in Toms River. He and wife Cathy live in Toms River, and have five children.Jim Wehrer – Senior Pastor – Trustee/ Board Vice President
Jim grew up in Northern Jersey and gave his heart to Christ at the age of 19. Soon after he felt God was leading him to begin training for ministry. He spent 6 years as a youth pastor before joining the staff of The Church of Grace and Peace in 2001. Jim was GAP’s youth pastor for 10 years until becoming an Associate Pastor in July of 2011. In August of 2013 Jim was installed as Grace and Peace’s Lead Pastor as a part of the transition process to receive the leadership baton from our Founding Pastor Walter Healy. On November 20, 2016, the transition was completed and Jim was installed as Senior Pastor. Jim has a Bachelor of Theology Degree from International Seminary in Florida and is a founding partner with the John Maxwell Team as a certified leadership growth and development coach, speaker and trainer. Jim carries a passion for the local church as well as leadership development and strong healthy marriages and families. Contact Jim
Bob Guempel – Trustee
children Greg and Laura Sue.
Walt Healy – Apostolic Overseer / Founding Pastor / Trustee Board President
Walt Healy is presently serving as apostolic overseer of The Church of Grace and Peace, as head of FaithNet USA, as Chancellor of Wagner Leadership Institute, Toms River, as overseer of the Apostolic Council of Christ Covenant Coalition, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, and as Dover Township Police Chaplain.
Walt also serves on the Boards of The Church of Grace and Peace, Community Compass, Faith Net USA, Promised Land Equipping Network, End-Time Ministries, The Hope Center, Christ Covenant Coalition, Melva Lea Ministries, The United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, and Shore Community Land Trust. He has seven children and twenty-seven grandchildren, all who currently reside in the Toms River area where they have been since 1968.
Patti Magan – Trustee
Frank Pell – Trustee/ Board Secretary
Frank Pell and wife Patti are blessed with seven children and 21 grandchildren, who bring great joy to their lives. Frank has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, with over 30 years experience in the banking industry, working in information technology, and in office support environments. While employed by Sovereign Bank, he was honored by peers and managers, receiving nine “Red Carpet Champion” awards for service and the “Sovereign Pride Award” for “…demonstrating Red Carpet Service and exemplifying an outstanding combination of qualities including responsibility, integrity, dependability and work excellence.” Frank is currently employed as the Office Administrator for Kennedy Plumbing Heating Mechanical, LLC. Frank serves at Grace and Peace as a member of the Board of Trustees, Corporate Secretary and Head Usher.
Lou Scheidt – Trustee
Lou Scheidt, PE, PP has served as Innovative’s President and Chief Executive Officer since founding the firm in 1977 and is responsible for the direction and management of the firm’s overall operations. Innovative was recently acquired by Stantec and Lou has become one of their directors. Mr. Scheidt has over 35 years of engineering, planning, construction and management experience in the civil, energy and telecommunications engineering industries. Mr. Scheidt plays an active role during the execution of the firm’s engineering and planning projects, development of proposals and client relations. He is a leader on the energy and renewables team which encompasses Stantec’s solar, wind, power, utility and alternative energy projects. In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Scheidt has been actively involved in the management, fund-raising and expansion of numerous community service organizations throughout New Jersey including the Monmouth/Ocean Food Bank, Toms River Kiwanis Club, Homes For All, Literacy Volunteers of Ocean County, Will Graham Celebrations, Community Compass, Grace Initiatives and the International Christian Wealth Builders Foundation. His lovely wife Yvonne is the Chairperson of The Church of Grace and Peace Mission Board and they have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Neil Lavender – Trustee
Dr. Lavender is a lover of Jesus Christ who gave his heart to the Lord late in life at age 49. He has been married to the same wonderful woman since 1972. They share three children and nine grandchildren. He is a full-time psychologist, college professor and author presently spending his career researching, writing and studying God’s plan for Christian marriages.