Dr. Leigh Crockett

Senior Pastor

Pastor Crockett has shepherded Grace Baptist Church since 1984. Before coming to Grace he was an evangelist and chairman of the speech department at Maranatha Baptist Bible College for six years. He has served on the PACE board and currently serves as the Great Lakes Regional Legislative Director for the AACS. He also serves as vice president of the Indiana Fundamental Baptist Fellowship and Indiana Association of Christian Schools.

Pastor Crockett holds a B.S. in Speech Education, an M.A. in Bible and a Doctor of Divinity degree. He is privileged to speak at conferences, retreats, banquets and evangelistic meetings around the country as well as on the foreign mission field.

Pastor Crockett and his wife, Beth, have four sons, all of whom are serving in full time Christian ministry.

Jerry Ascher

Music Pastor

Jerry Ascher has been the music director at Grace since 1995. Before coming to Anderson, he served on the music staff at Marquette Manor Baptist Church. In 1990, he married Lori Burke and together they have three children, Trent, Trevin, and Caitlin.Jerry received his B. Mus. and M. Mus. in Church Music. His ministries include directing the church choir, orchestra, and handbell choir, as well as coordinating the special music and congregational singing. Under his ministry and direction, Indiana Christian Academy began its instrumental and handbell programs, which have competed at the state and national levels.

Jerry’s other responsibilities in the ministry include teaching private instrumental and voice lessons, coaching Jr. High soccer and basketball, and teaching elementary music classes.

Ben Evans

Youth Pastor

“I came to know Jesus as my Savior at the age of 5. My parents had been saved a year earlier, and we began spending time as a family studying God’s Word. It was during one of the family devotions in July of 1975, the Lord convicted me of my sins and my need for a Savior.”

Ben Evans, Youth Pastor, was born in Athens, Georgia–home of the Georgia Bulldogs. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia until his parents took a position on staff in 1980 at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. He graduated with a BA in 1992.

He has served as youth pastor at Grace since 2000. He and his wife, Debbie, have adopted two children from Guatemala. Their goal is to help teens take the next step toward Christ-likeness, wherever they are spiritually.

Josh Crockett

Associate Pastor

"Since my parents moved to Grace when I was four, I feel like I have grown up in this church family. I consider myself a true Hoosier. My wife, Karie, was my college sweetheart. We married a few days after she finished her degree in piano performance in '02. Karie is from North Carolina. She is still getting acclimated to Yankee winters."

Pastor Josh studied speech communication in undergrad and worked as a teaching assistant in grad school while finishing his master’s degree in counseling and master of divinity. He has served on pastoral staff since 2005.

"God has poured out His grace in my life. I grew up with godly mentors and family, married the love of my life and am blessed with two adorable daughters, Karis and Tessa."

Kevin Plew

ICA Administrator

Kevin Plew accepted God’s leading to become the third administrator of our school ministry, Indiana Christian Academy. He is the first ICA grad to lead the school. Kevin began his education at ICA in the 70s, won a basketball championship in the 80s, taught high school and coached a volleyball championship in the 90s, and served as elementary principal.

Mr. Plew has trained and served as a pastor and seeks to bring a shepherd’s heart to the school. His vision is that “while still maintaining high academic standards, our main pursuit at ICA this year will be to show respect and unconditional love to each parent and student that enters the school doors.”

Kevin and his wife, Kim (’95 grad) have four children: Abby (5th), Hannah (2nd), Kendall (1st) and Seth (3).

Melvin Wittkamper

Maintenance Director

Melvin Wittkamper has been on the staff of Grace Baptist Church since 1995. His job as maintenance director requires that he oversee all of the maintenance of the church and school buildings. While Melvin enjoys working alongside the staff here at Grace, he has also enjoyed being a part of mission trips through the church to help in New Mexico and assist relief efforts in Louisiana after Katrina.

Since accepting Christ as his Savior in 1980, John 15:7 has had an influence on Melvin’s life: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” In his spare time, Melvin enjoys riding his motorcycle and four-wheeler, fishing, and helping out others who are in need when he can.

Melvin and his wife, Darlene, have one daughter, Megan (Welsh), and two sons, David and Devin, as well as one granddaughter, Mallory, and another on the way.

Nelson Escalante

Custodian

Nelson Escalante has been on the staff of Grace Baptist Church since 2009. As church custodian Nelson oversees the cleaning of the church building. He also serves as director of our ministry to Spanish-speaking people in the community. Nelson has enjoyed opportunities to travel around the US to do translation work.

After attending Central American Mission in 1982, Nelson accepted the Lord as his Savior. Nelson’s favorite verse is John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Nelson is originally from El Salvador and is a graduate of Puerto Rico Baptist College.

Nelson and his wife, Sharon, have one son, Nelson Jr. and two daughters, Joy and Grace.

Amy Moody

Administrative Assistant

Amy Moody joined the staff of Grace Baptist at the beginning of 2010 as administrative assistant for the church. Her responsibilities as secretary require her to revise bulletins, create PowerPoint presentations, and update the church website as well as keep up with other needs of the church. In the short time that she has worked at Grace, Amy has enjoyed being able to work in the uplifting environment of the church office that is conducive to spiritual growth. In her years attending GBC, working at Camp Living Water and Vacation Bible School during the summers have been especially encouraging experiences.

After accepting Christ as her Savior as a young child, Matthew 6:34 has developed a special meaning: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Amy enjoys playing volleyball as well as spending time with her family.

Matt Sands

Interim Youth Pastor

Matt Sands has a degree in Bible from Bob Jones University. He worked last summer as a summer intern at Grace. This summer he is serving as our interim youth pastor- working with teens and the college & career group.

Matt grew up in a missionary's home and now lives in Florida. He is pursuing a master's degree from Bob Jones Seminary and works as a residence hall counselor.