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 has been a parish pastor for almost 20 years. He first came to Grace at Winter Haven as an Associate Pastor in 2006 after serving at a mission congregation in Gainesville, Florida for 10 years and was elected by the congregation to serve as Senior Pastor in 2015.  He married his wife Karri in 1993, and they are blessed with a wonderful teenage daughter and son. His personal mission is to help individuals be the person God has created each to be in Christ Jesus, and to lead a congregation in fulfilling the vision God has in mind for them.  He enjoys family, sports and all types of games.

Rev. Mark A. Harris

Associate Pastor

Email Pastor Harris / Phone: 863.293.8447

Born and baptized in San Marcos, TX, Pastor Mark grew up in Katy, TX, attending Memorial Lutheran Church. There the Holy Spirit developed his love for Jesus and His Church. Pastor Mark met his wife, Brittany, at Concordia University - Texas at Austin, while enrolled in the Pre-Seminary program, earning a B.A. in Behavioral Science.

Following their wedding, they moved to St. Louis, MO, where Pastor Mark earned his Master of Divinity. Pastor Mark served his vicarage at Grace Lutheran in Winter Haven, FL. He and Brittany quickly felt at home as their son Ezra Jack was born a native Floridian!

Pastor Mark is delighted to be returning to Winter Haven and serving the congregation and community alongside the wonderful people of Grace as Associate Pastor.

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. Since 1989, she has volunteered as a Stephen Minister and has directed Stephen Ministry since 1998.

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. In the coming years 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

Pastoral Assistant / Director of Outreach and Assimilation

Email Jeff / Phone: 863.293.8447

Jeff currently serves as Pastor Assistant/Outreach 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, 2 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. Michael enjoys sports, spending time with his two boys, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe 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, Women's 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.

Wynn Bonner

Director of Worship Arts

Email Wynn / Phone: 863.293.8447

Mr. Wynn Bonner has served in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for nearly 40 years.  During that time he served as music director at two congregations in the Chicago area followed by one in the Dallas, TX area.  He has served as the Director of Worship Arts Ministry at Grace sinze 2007.  Wynn serves as the organist, director of adult choirs, praise team and music administrator.  For fun, Wynn plays trumpet in the Over-55 Show Band at Polk State College, the Bartow Community Band and occasionally subs in the Theatre Winter Haven pit band.

Kathy Schelp

Children's Ministry

Email Kathy / Phone: 863.293.8447

Kathy has over 25 years of experience teaching in Lutheran Schools. Most recently she retired after teaching first grade at Grace Lutheran. She returns to lead the Children's Ministry, having served in that position for eight months in 2013.

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 Assistant to the Board Treasurer for 25 years. 

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 at Grace. Since retiring in 2010 she has volunteered in the school and church offices, and is currently serving as part-time Membership Secretary.