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.
Rev. Mark A. Harris
Associate Pastor
Email Pastor Harris / Phone: 863.293.8447
Pastor Mark originally came to Grace Lutheran as the Vicar in 2014-2015. After graduating from Concordia Seminary—St. Louis in 2016, he re-joined the staff as the Associate Pastor. He met his wife, Brittany, while they were both enrolled at Concordia University Texas. They have two young children who keep them on their toes with an abundance of questions, smiles, and energy. Welcoming new people into the church, helping people grow in their life of faith in Jesus, and creating opportunities to develop meaningful relationships are some of his most fulfilling efforts in ministry. In his spare time he enjoys being with his family, playing disc golf, reading, and savoring the occasional pie.
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.
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. 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. 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 LCMS congregations for over 40 years. During that time he served as music director at two congregations in the Chicago area for a total of 25 years, and another 5 years in the Dallas, TX area. In 2007 Wynn joined the staff at Grace Lutheran where he serves as the organist, director and participant in the adult choir, bell choir, and praise team, as well as the administrator of the Worship Arts Ministry and the Fine Arts School of Central Florida. Wynn’s passion is to challenge his ensembles beyond their perceived abilities to continually improve their skills for the purpose of bringing glory and honor to our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. For fun, Wynn plays lead trumpet in a local jazz band as well as a community band. He and his wife Mary have two wonderful adult children living in the Chicago area along with 3 grandchildren.
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 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 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.
Brendon Moore
Vicar
Email Vicar Brendon/ Phone: 863.293.8447
Vicar Brendon is 27 years old and have been married to his wife Jordan for almost three years. They welcomed their first child, daughter Lyla, on August 9, 2018, which also happens to be Vicar Brendon's birthday! In 2014, he received his bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry from Friends University in Wichita, KS, which is also their hometown. In between college and seminary, Vicar Brendon played professional indoor soccer, worked as an early childhood para at a private school, and worked for a company managing warranties for new homes. Jordan excelled in high pressure sales before she began managing properties. She flourished in each of her jobs because of her amazing interpersonal skills and personality. Being from the heart of the Midwest, Vicar Brendon and Jordan are thrilled to experience life and ministry in a brand-new context.
They hope and pray that their vicarage year together is as fruitful as possible. They can’t wait to experience the role of the pastor’s family; they are thankful for this opportunity and look forward to working with all of people at Grace Lutheran to His glory!