Grace Lutheran Church is led by the Board of Directors, Board of Elders, and the Staff.
Rev. Charles T. Reich
Senior Pastor
Email Pastor Reich / Phone: 863.293.8447
Pastor Charles Reich believes his personal mission is to help individuals be the person God has created each to be in Christ Jesus, and to lead a congregation of people in fulfilling the vision God has in mind for them. He first came to Grace in Winter Haven as an Associate Pastor in 2006 after having served as Pastor of a mission congregation in Gainesville, FL 1996-2006. In 2018 he was elected by the FL-GA District of the LCMS as a Regional Vice President.
He grew up in Sweetwater, TX and completed High School in Charlotte, N.C. He earned a B.A. in Communications at Concordia University Texas and a Masters of Divinity from the LCMS Seminary in St. Louis. In 1993, he married a fellow Texan, Karri, and they are blessed with two wonderful children; Anna currently away at college and Timothy in High School. He enjoys family, sports and all types of games. Prepare-Enrich Premarital Counseling ’96; Pastoral Leadership Institute ’04, Emergent Leadership Training ’14, certification for Lutheran Early Response Teams ’13 & ’19.
Sharon Wilson
Church Administrator
Email Sharon / Phone: 863.293.8447
Sharon is from Indianapolis, Indiana, where she attended Indiana University, and worked at IU as Administrative Assistant to the Chair of Ophthalmology for 10 years. Sharon and her late husband, Dr. Fred Wilson, moved to Winter Haven in 1982. She became a member of Grace in 1987 and has served as Church Administrator since 2004. She has volunteered as a Stephen Minister since 1989 and has directed Stephen Ministry since 1998.
Sharon ejoys frequent visits from her family; especially her great grandchildren, Atticus and Vesper.
Nick Klemetson
Director of Worship Arts Ministry
Email Nick / Phone: 863.293.8447
Nick Klemetson (BM Piano Performance, St. Olaf College; MSM Choral Conducting, Emory University) comes to Grace Lutheran with 15 years of experience leading and serving music ministry, the last ten of which were at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Waverly, IA. Before that, he has served as a church musician in the Twin Cities, MN and Atlanta, GA. An avid champion of the choral arts, he was Artistic Director of Bel Canto Cedar Valley, an auditioned community chorus centered in Cedar Falls, IA, from 2017-2021. An active pianist, he regularly collaborates with schools, colleges, and other organizations for freelance piano work. Nick is a published composer, contracted with Augsburg Fortress and Morningstar Music Publishers. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie and Siberian Husky Buddy, cooking, powerlifting, video games, and video/audio editing.
Stephanie Klemetson
Associate Director of Worship Arts Ministry and Music Teacher
Email Stephanie / Phone: 863.293.8447 and/or 863.293.9744
Stephanie Klemetson is the Associate Director of Worship Arts and Music Teacher at Grace Lutheran Church and School. A 2008 graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, Stephanie holds a degree in K-12 vocal music education, and is currently pursuing her masters degree in arts administration through the University of Kentucky. Prior to her current role at Grace, Stephanie was the Music Tour, Camp, and Promotion Manager at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and assisted her husband Nick with the music ministries at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School where she was an active leader of worship on the praise team, member of the chancel choir and handbell choir, and co-director of the 3-6 grade choir. Mrs. Klemetson looks forward to returning to the classroom this fall to share her love of music and not only help her students to find their voice as a means to express themselves creatively but also to encourage them to share their musical gifts with others to connect people with Jesus and glorify God.
Leah Welter
Director of Youth and Family Life Ministry
Email Leah / Phone: 863.293.8447
Leah Welter was born and raised in Andover, Minnesota. She attended Concordia St. Paul where she studied to be certified as a Director of Education. After graduating, Leah received her first call to Concordia Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she served as the Director of Christian Education for ten years.
Leah joined Grace’s staff in January, 2016 where she currently serves as the Director of Youth and Family Life Ministry. Leah hopes to build ministry opportunities that will help young people, families and parents strengthen their relationship with God, grow in their knowledge of Scripture and see how their faith impacts every part of their lives.
Jeff Wittcop
Director of Outreach and Assimilation
Email Jeff / Phone: 863.293.8447
Jeff currently serves as Director of Outreach and Assimilation and Principal Emeritus. He recently finished as teacher and principal after 40 years in Lutheran Schools; the last 6 years at Grace. He is married, has 3 children, 3 grandchildren, and 1 dog all of whom are very important to him and keep him busy.
Michael Rottmann
School Principal
Email Mike / Phone: 863.293.9744
Michael Rottmann was born and raised in the Midwest with most of his time spent living in Illinois. He has twenty plus years of experience as a teacher and administrator in Preschool through 8th grade Lutheran schools in Wisconsin, Illinois and Florida. During such time he has also served as athletic director and coach. He was recognized in 2013 as the ELEA Elementary Principal of the Year as well as a National Distinguished Principal. He holds a Masters in Administration from Cardinal Stritch University, WI and Bachelors in Education from Concordia University, WI. He and his wife Lisa enjoy spending time with their children. They also enjoy doing DIY projects, walking outdoors, and watching sports together. Being from Illinois Michael is a Chicago sports fan who enjoys cheering on the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19.
Peggy Jo Griffin
Church Media Administrator
Email Peggy Jo / Phone: 863.293.8447
Peggy Jo Griffin has been a staff member of Grace Lutheran Church and School since 1998. She has held various positions: Church Secretary, 2nd Grade Teacher, Spanish Teacher and now is the Church Media Administrator. She earned her BA at Valparaiso University, and her MAT at Concordia University, Portland, OR. Peggy Jo's activities in the church include: Stephen Ministry, Trinity Bells, Praise Team, Grace Chorale and Altar Guild. Being a native of Wheaton, IL, Peggy Jo is a fan of all Chicago sports teams.
Casey Billman
Children's Ministry
Email Casey / Phone: 863.293.8447
Casey is a graduate of Grace Lutheran School. She has been very active for several years helping with Children's Church, Sunday School, VBS, and working in the nursery. She now leads the Children's Ministry, under the direction of Leah Welter.
Teri Ogle
Assistant Treasurer
Email Teri / Phone 863.293.8447
Teri has been a member of Grace Lutheran Church since 1967. She attended Grace Lutheran School in the early years. Teri has been the Finance Administrator/HR for 30 years. She and her husband Jamie enjoy spending time with their four adult daughters, son-in-laws, and 6 grandchildren.
Alan Baker
Facilities Manager
Email Alan / Phone: 863.293.8447
Alan is from Indiana and has a strong Lutheran family heritage. He, his wife Amy, and their two daughters moved to Winter Haven 3 years ago. Alan has a background in maintenance and repair technology and he has been Facility Manager at Grace for two years.
Linda Aceto
Membership / Office Support
Email Linda / Phone: 863.293.8447
Linda is a 1969 graduate of Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Il. 24 of her 30 years of teaching were here at Grace, beginning when the school opened in 1969. Since retiring in 2010 she has found a second career volunteering and serving as the church’s part-time Membership Secretary.
Michael Duffy
Vicar
Email Michael Duffy/ Phone: 863.293.8447
Michael grew up in Kenesaw, Nebraska in a family of eight kids, six boys, two girls, and his mom and dad. His dad is the pastor in Kenesaw at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He met his wife, Sarah, while attending college at Concordia University in Seward, NE where he majored in English and Pre-Seminary studies. They were married the summer after graduation in May 2018. Michael and Sarah are excited to be apart of the ministry here at Grace, Michael as the vicar, and Sarah as the music teacher.